TOI Founders’ Forum 2026: Entrepreneurs share stories of grit, growth and innovation

What does it take to build a business that lasts? That question shaped the conversations at The Times of India’s Founders’ Forum 2026, where entrepreneurs and business leaders came together to share the realities of building enterprises, overcoming setbacks and creating meaningful impact.Sponsored by Garodia International, the event offered valuable perspectives from founders who have turned ideas into thriving businesses.Dr P. Anbalagan, IAS, Principal Secretary, Industries, Investment and Services Department, Government of Maharashtra, attended the event as the chief guest and felicitated the participating entrepreneurs for their contributions to the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Stories of grit and growthThe event featured two engaging panel discussions. The first, titled ‘Building Businesses and Breaking Barriers’, featured Dr. Ajay Yadav, founder and director of Physio Fit Guru (Halcyon Physiotherapy Pvt. Ltd.); Kishor Kumar, founder and chairman of the ICH IIMM National Balgandharva Kala Academy Pariwar and Swarn Bharat Tulsi Foundation; Basharul Islam Munna, founder and CEO of Travel Bazaar Global; and Professor Dr Sanjay B. Chordiya, founder, president and chairman of the Suryadatta Education Foundation (SEF), Pune.The conversation centred on resilience, innovation and the courage to move ahead despite challenges.The discussion also highlighted the importance of a supportive ecosystem, strong values and long-term thinking in building sustainable businesses. Success with purposeThe second panel explored how entrepreneurs can move beyond commercial success to create meaningful and lasting impact. The discussion featured Pawan Kaushik, founder of PNP Polymers Pvt. Ltd.; Abhishek Mhatre, anchor, actor, TEDx speaker and digital content creator; Dr Vikas Kikan, vice president of Centre of Sustainability for Pure Earth and CEO of Beyond Drilling and Exploration Pvt. Ltd.; and R.K. Mitra, founder and CEO of Inditron Enterprises Pvt. Ltd.The event concluded with a strong message: successful businesses are built not only on innovation and perseverance, but also on the ability to create opportunities and inspire future entrepreneurs.Meet the founders and business leadersDr. Ajay Yadav, Founder & Director, Physio Fit Guru (Halcyon Physiotherapy Private LTD):Dr. Ajay Yadav is an accomplished Musculoskeletal & Sports Physiotherapist with over 18 years of clinical experience and the Founder of PhysioFit Guru, a premium Advanced Spine & Sports Rehabilitation Centre in Mumbai1. Recognised for his commitment to advancing modern physiotherapy and rehabilitation, Dr. Yadav has developed PhysioFit Guru into a technology-driven rehabilitation centre integrating advanced spine rehabilitation, sports injury management, robotic spinal decompression, scanning laser therapy, shockwave therapy, pelvic floor rehabilitation and medical gym-based functional recovery.Hemant Jain, Joint Managing Director, Kewal Kiran Clothing Limited (KKCL) - Killer Jeans:Killer emerged in 1989 as one of India's first homegrown denim brands, quickly gaining prominence for its rebellious spirit and innovative designs. What began as a single pair of jeans has evolved into a movement of rebellion, confidence, and unapologetic self-expression. Today, Killer stands as a brand of power. Killer Jeans is one of the largest-selling denim brands in India. While it started with jeans, the brand's portfolio now spans men's ready-to-wear apparel including jeans, trousers, cargos, capris, shirts, jackets, and t-shirts, as well as innerwear (vests and briefs), kids apparel, footwear (shoes and socks), time-wear, eyewear, and other addictive accessories like belts and bracelets.R.K. Mitra, Founder and CEO, Inditron Enterprises Pvt. Ltd:R.K. Mitra has been recognised for his visionary leadership, entrepreneurial excellence, and significant contribution to the water and wastewater treatment industry. His commitment to innovative Water treatment, sewage treatment, effluent treatment and Zero Liquid Discharge solutions has contributed to sustainable water management, resource conservation, and environmental responsibility across diverse industrial sectors and international markets.Jayshree Jindal, Partner - Jindal Cocoa LLP, Founder - Cocoburst:Cocoburst is a premium chocolate brand by Jindal Cocoa built on quality, innovation and great taste. With a portfolio spanning a variety of chocolates, spreads, and customised gifting, it is a contemporary Indian chocolate brand with international standards.Pawan Kaushik, Founder, PNP Polymers Pvt. Ltd.:PNP is a company that believes in hard work, sincerity and loyalty, which have helped it become a leading brand in coated cloth. Its defining trait is its ability to provide a wide range of quality products and services across India, with its own warehouses spread over 20 lakh sq. ft.2 The team at PNP has always focused on delivering quality products with quality after-sales service at the most competitive prices, which has helped it become a market leader. With a sustainable competitive advantage arising from its strong brand, high credibility, market leadership across businesses and large customer base, the company delivers quality products and after-sales service at fair prices, helping markets function better. PNP Group has a diversified portfolio of products ranging from nylon yarn for the textile market to HAO turbo ventilators and tie roofing screws for industrial applications, as well as Synwood products for the interior and exterior beautification of living spaces.Dr. Vikas Kikan, Vice President Centre of Sustainability for Pure Earth, CEO - Beyond Drilling & Exploration Pvt. Ltd.:The man turning burnt fields into a national asset. Every year, millions of tonnes of agricultural residue are burnt across India, creating an environmental challenge. But where many see waste, Kikan saw a resource waiting to be unlocked. He built his business around a powerful conviction that crop residue could be transformed from something we burn into something we can use, value and build upon. His work brings together agriculture, energy and sustainability, creating a pathway to convert surplus agricultural biomass into a potential source of fuel while generating greater value from resources that are often underutilised. “Waste is not a problem, it’s a resource waiting for innovation,” says Dr Kikan.3Bahsarul Islam Munna, Founder & CEO, Travel Bazaar Global:Travel Bazaar Global is a customised tour operator. They specialise in international customised tours operations. Company is Head Quartered in Mumbai , MaharashtraKishor Kumar, Founder & Chairman, National Balgandharva Kala Academy Pariwar, ICH IIMM, Swarn Bharat Tulsi Foundation:Kishor Kumar is an entrepreneur, founder, institution builder, educationist, eco social entrepreneur. As a director of thecompany and founder of multiple nationally driven organizations, he established an integrated ecosystem dedicated to education, sustainable nation building and cultural diplomacy. It's a Government registered organisation.Abhishek Mhatre, Anchor, Actor, TEDx Speaker, Motivational Speaker and Digital Content Creator:Known for his energetic stage presence, engaging communication style and ability to connect with diverse audiences, Abhishek has over 15 years of experience and has hosted more than 1,000 live shows across corporate events, award ceremonies, concerts and other platforms. As a TEDx and motivational speaker, he shares insights on confidence, communication, personal transformation and the role of authenticity in business growth. Through anchoring, acting, public speaking and digital content, he continues to engage, motivate and inspire audiences across platforms.Dr. Sanjay B.Chordiya, Founder, President & ChairmanSuryadatta Education Foundation, Pune:For his distinguished and enduring contribution to the transformation of education and the building of institutions of enduring value; for shaping an ecosystem that brings together academic excellence, innovation, entrepreneurship, industry engagement and holistic human development; and for his remarkable foresight in advancing multidisciplinary, skill-oriented, experiential and technology-enabled education in harmony with the transformative principles of the National Education Policy 2020. His 45-year journey across industry and education reflects a deep commitment to nurturing human potential, creating future-ready institutions and contributing to the larger purpose of nation building.References: The above content is non-editorial, and TIL hereby disclaims any and all warranties, expressed or implied, relating to it, and does not guarantee, vouch for or necessarily endorse any of the content.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.