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Global Entrepreneurship Summit India 2017
The eighth edition of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2017 is all set to take place on 28 November 2017 in Hyderabad. This three day summit will also see Ivanka Trump leading the United States delegation.
Hosted by the United States of America along with the Republic of India, the summit has been flooded with applications. Around 44,000 Indian entrepreneurs applied to participate in the summit that currently has only 400 available slots. 800 slots have been allotted for entrepreneurs from USA and around the world. Close to 74 entrepreneurs from Telangana have been selected for the summit.
Highlighting the theme Women First, Prosperity for All, this year’s summit will focus on supporting women entrepreneurs and fostering economic growth globally. First conceived by former US President Barack Obama, GES aims at creating an environment that empowers innovators, particularly women, to take their ideas to the next level.
The summit will also hold sessions, master classes and workshops by global experts along with networking events and keynote speeches from prominent entrepreneurs. According to the official website, GES 2017 will present a unique opportunity to connect and establish meaningful partnerships amongst entrepreneurs, investors and ecosystem supporters. In an attempt to inspire the culture of entrepreneurship, the summit also launched the ‘Road to GES’ initiative which aims to build and engage entrepreneurs through events from September to November and beyond.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a meeting in the Philippines said the GES would help in “showcasing innovation and collaboration between India and the United States.” With a bilateral trade of about $ 115 billion, India is already a major market for the United States. The summit aims at strengthening this relationship while encouraging innovation and collaboration, with a special focus on emerging nations from Africa and Asia.
With just ten days to go for the Summit, police officials in Hyderabad are on high alert. Special security measures and arrangements have been made in anticipation of Ivanka Trump’s visit to the city. According to media reports, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Special Protection Group high officials also visited Hyderabad to observe the security arrangements.
Rozana, India’s leading rural retail platform, has secured ₹290 crore ($35 million) in a Series B funding round led by Bertelsmann India Investments (BII), with participation from Omidyar Network India, Vivid Capital, and Tana Investment Holding. This Rozana funding brings its total capital to over ₹500 crore, fueling hyperlocal expansion in underserved rural markets. Founded in 2021 by brothers Prashant and Prateek Chauhan, the startup’s phygital model blends micro-stores, app-based ordering, and last-mile delivery to connect 5 million+ users in 12 states with brands like ITC and HUL.
The ₹290 crore investment will supercharge Rozana’s rural omnichannel retail strategy, targeting 5x growth in 18 months. Plans include adding 5,000 micro-stores in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan; AI-powered inventory tech; and new categories like groceries and electronics. By empowering 20,000+ rural micro-entrepreneurs, Rozana taps into India’s $700 billion rural retail boom, where smartphone penetration and UPI drive 12% annual growth.
This Rozana Series B milestone positions it as a frontrunner against rivals like Ninjacart, eyeing unicorn status by 2028 amid ONDC tailwinds. CEO Prashant Chauhan emphasized, “We’re building rural prosperity through accessible premium brands.” For more on Rozana funding news and rural retail trends, stay updated on India’s startup ecosystem.
Peak XV Partners has launched three new funds totaling $1.3 billion, targeting India’s booming startup ecosystem. The lineup features the $600M Surge fund (8th edition) for early-stage ventures, a $300M Growth Fund for Series B+ scaling, and a $400M Acceleration Fund for rapid portfolio expansion. This commitment arrives as India’s VC inflows rebound, with AI and fintech leading 2026 trends.
These funds build on Peak XV’s legacy of backing unicorns like Zomato and Pine Labs, offering founders capital plus strategic guidance amid post-winter recovery. Early-stage deals surged 20% last year per Tracxn, positioning Peak XV to fuel the next wave of innovation in SaaS, climate tech, and consumer plays.
For startups eyeing Peak XV new funds or Surge fund 2026 applications, this signals prime opportunities. Investors and marketers should watch for deployment updates India remains a global VC hotspot.
Hyderabad, January 13, 2026 Neeman’s, India’s leading D2C footwear brand famed for sustainable shoes and patented PIXLL® technology, has raised $4 million from existing investors. This funding boosts its cumulative capital past $10 million since 2015, with a post-money valuation nearing $50 million. CEO Vijay Chahoria emphasized offline retail as the “next frontier,” planning 50+ new stores in Tier 2/3 cities like Jaipur and Lucknow to blend eco-friendly innovation with hands-on customer experiences.
In India’s booming D2C ecosystem where footwear sales hit ₹1.2 lakh crore in 2025 Neeman’s targets hybrid retail amid high online CAC and 25-30% returns. Backed by vegan, machine-washable shoes priced ₹2,000-4,000, the brand leverages PIXLL® (5x more breathable than leather) for carbon-neutral comfort. Recent 5x revenue growth to ₹100 crore ARR, 1M+ pairs sold via Myntra and stores, and awards at India D2C Summit 2025 position it ahead of rivals like Paaduks.
Neeman’s offline expansion India eyes the $15B sustainable footwear market by 2028, fueled by PLI schemes, Gen Z’s 70% eco-preference (Nielsen), and Southeast Asia exports. Challenges like real estate costs are offset by data-driven inventory and omnichannel QR tech. Watch for Q1 2026 launches in Hyderabad and Bengaluru redefining D2C success through authentic, “Wear the Change” branding.
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