Ascent to onboard more MSMEs from TS, AP

Hyderabad: A Mumbai-based not-for-profit peer-to-peer learning platform Ascent on Thursday said it is looking at onboarding more MSME's and SME's from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, into their all India chapter. Ascent will be holding its flagship event, the 7th edition of Ascent Conclave on November 24, 2022 in Mumbai, for which the registrations have been opened for interested entrepreneurs.

Funded by Harsh Mariwala, Chairman of Marico Limited, Ascent began operations in 2012 from Mumbai. In 2020 the platform was opened for enterprises from across India. At present, 25 entrepreneurs from Hyderabad, Khammam in TS and Rajamahendravaram in Andhra Pradesh are part of the cohort.

These enterprises are from manufacturing and the service industry included. Around 10 – 12 entrepreneurs from different sectors across India are formed into 'Trust Group,' wherein they gain access to networking, peer support, access to national footprint and experienced guidance from peer members.

"Both the Telugu States are an entrepreneurial hub with growing number of entrepreneurs emerging out of the tier-II and III cities. We, at Ascent believe in onboarding enterprises that have the drive for growth. Hence, for us, the number of enterprises we select matters less than the quality of business they hold," the CEO of Ascent Foundation, Archana Das said.

The platform is open for manufacturing and service enterprises that garner a turnover of over Rs 5 crore and Rs 1 crore, respectively. To be a part of the platform, the selected enterprise has to bear an annual membership fee of Rs 10,000.

Ascent also will be holding its 7th edition of flagship event, Ascent Conclave on November 24, 2022, in Mumbai. The theme of this year's meet is 'Thriving on change,' wherein technology, innovation and disruption are the topic of discussion.

Around 1,000 enterprises are expected to participate, for which the registrations are open. While the entry for Ascent members is free, the non-members will be charged Rs 7,000. Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons, Actor Boman Irani, Ananth Narayanan, founder, Mensa Brands among others are the key speakers.