Category Archives: MSME Engagements

Event Overview

Walmart Vriddhi MSME Connect Visakhapatnam 2026, held on September 26, 2026, at Vizag Conventions, brought together entrepreneurs, government representatives, industry leaders, domestic and international marketplaces and ecosystem partners to highlight opportunities for MSME growth in Andhra Pradesh.

The event provided MSMEs with insights and practical guidance on strengthening business capabilities, building digital readiness and accessing wider national and international markets. Discussions focused on key areas such as digital commerce, Walmart Marketplace and Flipkart onboarding, cross-border trade and business capability building, helping businesses understand opportunities to expand and grow.

The event featured Shri Kondapalli Srinivas, Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises & Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty, Government of Andhra Pradesh, as the Chief Guest. It also welcomed Mr. Andukuri Sudhakar, Executive Director, APMSMEDC; Dr. Trinadh Madabattula, Secretary, Visakhapatnam Zone, AP Chambers; Shri V.S. Jayasankar, Postmaster General, Visakhapatnam Postal Region; and Mr. Kameswara Rao Nimmana, Assistant General Manager – Visakhapatnam, SIDBI, along with other distinguished representatives from government, industry and the MSME ecosystem.

The event emphasised the importance of digital adoption, market access and stronger business capabilities in enabling MSMEs to build sustainable businesses and explore new growth opportunities.

Key Speakers and Sessions

The session commenced with Nitin Prasad, Vice President, Walmart Sourcing, who outlined Walmart Vriddhi’s vision for strengthening the MSME ecosystem in India. He highlighted the importance of building entrepreneurial capabilities, improving access to knowledge and market linkages, and enabling MSMEs to respond effectively to evolving market opportunities.

Shri Kondapalli Srinivas, Hon’ble Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises & Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty, Government of Andhra Pradesh, highlighted the Government’s efforts to strengthen the MSME ecosystem by improving access to finance, technology, infrastructure and markets. He also noted that initiatives such as Walmart Vriddhi complement these efforts by bringing practical business capabilities and market access closer to entrepreneurs, enabling MSMEs to strengthen and scale their businesses. Further, he encouraged women and young entrepreneurs to embrace new opportunities and play an active role in driving the state’s economic growth.The Minister further underscored the importance of digital adoption, market access and entrepreneurship-led growth, particularly in enabling MSMEs to expand beyond traditional markets and connect with larger markets.

Dr. Trinadh Madabattula, Secretary, Visakhapatnam Zone, AP Chambers highlighted how industry associations can serve as important platforms for MSMEs by fostering business connections, facilitating industry engagement and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs to engage with the wider business community.

Ms. Vaghira Jonnada, Founder, Women Entrepreneurs Society, spoke about the growing participation of women in entrepreneurship and the need for stronger support systems that enable women-led businesses to access networks, markets, knowledge and opportunities for growth.

Dr. S. Senthil Vinayagam, Director, Indian Institute of Plantation Management (IIPM), focused on the role of continuous learning and institutional support in strengthening entrepreneurs and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs). He highlighted the importance of building relevant skills, strengthening business and organisational practices, and improving market readiness to help FPOs, and entrepreneurs respond effectively to changing market and industry needs.

Shri V.S. Jayasankar, Postmaster General, Visakhapatnam Postal Region, highlighted the potential of India Post’s extensive reach and service network to support MSMEs, particularly in facilitating business connectivity and enabling entrepreneurs to reach customers and markets across geographies.

Mr. Andukuri Sudhakar, Executive Director, APMSMEDC, delivered the Guest of Honour address, highlighting the importance of strengthening the MSME ecosystem in Andhra Pradesh through improved access to government support, capacity building, technology and markets. He also emphasised the role of institutional and industry collaboration in enabling MSMEs to enhance their competitiveness and scale.

Panel Discussion

The panel discussion, moderated by Sridevi Kalavakolanu, Senior Director, Walmart Sourcing, brought together perspectives from SIDBI (a financial institution) and MSME entrepreneurs, including Mr. Kameswara Rao Nimmana, Assistant General Manager – Visakhapatnam, SIDBI; Vamsi Krishna, Proprietor, Sri Venkata Sai Durga Enterprises (a Walmart Vriddhi graduate and a Flipkart seller); Aruna Dara, Founder & CEO, Apna Green Products (a Walmart Vriddhi graduate and a Flipkart seller); and Utkarsh Kumar, Director of Growth, TGHCO Health Support Services Private Limited (a Walmart Marketplace seller).

The discussion explored the financial considerations that come with business expansion, particularly as MSMEs grow their digital presence, take on larger orders and look towards international markets. The entrepreneur panellists brought in their own experiences of scaling their businesses and shared how Walmart Vriddhi contributed to strengthening their business capabilities, improving their understanding of digital commerce and opening avenues for market expansion. Their experiences provided a practical perspective on how MSMEs can leverage the right knowledge, tools and ecosystem support to navigate growth opportunities.

Building Digital and Market Readiness

A key focus of the event was to equip entrepreneurs with practical knowledge and resources to strengthen their digital capabilities and explore opportunities beyond traditional markets.

Sandeep Sanan, Executive Director, Cross Border Trade, Ideas to Impact Foundation, led an orientation on cross-border trade through Walmart Vriddhi, providing insights into how digital commerce can help MSMEs access international markets and expand their business reach.

For entrepreneurs seeking to strengthen their presence on digital marketplaces, Akhil Sodani, Team Leader, Business Operations & Development, Flipkart, conducted a session on Flipkart onboarding, followed by a workshop and Q&A focused on the onboarding process and marketplace opportunities.

The event also featured a Walmart Vriddhi Supplier Academy masterclass, led by Dr. Shashi Shekhar Reddy, Senior Master Trainer, which focused on strengthening business capabilities and equipping entrepreneurs with practical approaches to building sustainable and growth-ready enterprises.

Way Forward

The Visakhapatnam edition of Walmart Vriddhi MSME Connect showcased the opportunities available to Andhra Pradesh’s MSMEs to leverage digitalisation, digital commerce and cross-border trade to expand their businesses. The event highlighted how digital tools, access to online marketplaces and greater exposure to international trade can help entrepreneurs connect with new customers, explore global markets and unlock new avenues for growth. The discussions also highlighted the important role of women entrepreneurs in strengthening the MSME ecosystem, with greater access to markets, knowledge and technology creating new opportunities for women-led businesses to scale.

Going forward, digitalising business operations will be an important step towards cross-border growth. Building a strong digital presence, adopting digital tools for inventory and order management, maintaining accurate business and financial records, and developing an understanding of international customer requirements can help MSMEs become better prepared to explore export opportunities.

Walmart Vriddhi will continue to support entrepreneurs with relevant knowledge, digital capabilities and market opportunities, helping MSMEs strengthen their business readiness and take informed steps towards accessing national and international markets.

Event Overview

Walmart Vriddhi MSME Connect Kolkata held on September 2, 2026, at Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium, brought together entrepreneurs, government representatives, industry leaders and ecosystem partners to explore new opportunities for MSME growth, digital commerce and market access in West Bengal.

MSMEs participated in a day of learning and engagement focused on strengthening business capabilities, building digital readiness and exploring opportunities to access wider domestic and international markets. The Walmart Vriddhi MSME Connect Kolkata 2026 brought together perspectives from government, industry, marketplaces and entrepreneurs, with a focus on practical pathways for businesses to grow and scale.

The event featured Shri U Swaroop, IAS, Director, Directorate of MSME, as the Chief Guest. The event also welcomed Shri Vinayak Azaad, Principal Commissioner of Customs (Preventive), West Bengal; Shri Vishnu Kant, Joint DGFT, Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India; Shri Avishek Auddy, Chairman, Bengal Business Council; and Shri Anup Kumar Barla, Manager, Kolkata Regional Office, Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) as distinguished guests.

Key Speakers and Sessions

The session opened with Parul Soni, President, Ideas to Impact Foundation, who set the context for the day and highlighted the importance of equipping entrepreneurs with the knowledge, capabilities and connections needed to pursue new growth opportunities.

Amara Deepa, Director, Walmart Sourcing, shared Walmart Vriddhi’s vision for MSME growth, highlighting the role of capability building, digital commerce and market access in helping entrepreneurs strengthen and grow their businesses.

Shri U Swaroop, IAS, Director, Directorate of MSME, delivered the Chief Guest address, highlighting the vital role of MSMEs in West Bengal’s economy and encouraging entrepreneurs to embrace innovation, digital commerce and new markets to scale their businesses. He urged MSMEs to leverage Walmart Vriddhi’s free-of-cost training and support to strengthen their capabilities and expand their enterprises.

Shri Vishnu Kant, Joint DGFT, Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India delivered a special address highlighting the need to strengthen MSME exporters’ access to finance, logistics, testing and certification support, while reducing the costs and barriers to entering global markets. He encouraged entrepreneurs to leverage the growing opportunities in eCommerce and digital trade, and make greater use of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and schemes under the Export Promotion Mission to expand their global reach and achieve new heights.

Shri Vinayak Azaad, Principal Commissioner of Customs (Preventive), West Bengal, emphasised the role of technology and simplified customs processes in reducing time and costs for MSME exporters. He encouraged businesses to adopt transparent, compliant and digital supply chains to unlock greater opportunities in international markets.

A session by Suman Saha, Director, Cross-Border Trade, Walmart Marketplace explored opportunities for MSMEs to expand through digital and cross-border commerce, highlighting Walmart Marketplace’s fulfilment, advertising, onboarding and seller support solutions that can help businesses reach international customers.

Shri Anup Kumar Barla, Manager, Kolkata Regional Office, SIDBI, shared information on the support available to MSMEs through SIDBI. He highlighted SIDBI’s role in supporting MSMEs through access to finance, technology, skills and market linkages. He emphasised that timely financial support, alongside digital and capacity-building initiatives, is essential to help MSMEs scale, modernise and expand into national and global markets.

Shri Avishek Auddy, Chairman, Bengal Business Council, underscored the importance of embracing digital transformation and adapting to new business systems. He reinforced the need for businesses to evaluate the feasibility of new approaches while staying agile and keeping alternative solutions ready.

A separate experience-sharing session featuring Irshan Ahmed Siddiqui, Director, Marketplace Growth, Flipkart, and Madhur Bangur, Founder & CEO, Mars Infiniti, offered insights into building and growing a business through eCommerce. Madhur Bangur, a Flipkart seller, shared how Flipkart’s onboarding support, fulfilment services and category insights have helped him build and scale his kidswear business. He highlighted the platform’s ability to provide access to customers in smaller towns, enabling the brand to expand its reach beyond traditional markets.

Building Digital and Market Readiness

A key focus of the event was helping entrepreneurs understand practical pathways to accessing wider markets.

Sandeep Sanan, Executive Director, Cross Border Trade, Ideas to Impact Foundation, led an orientation on cross-border trade opportunities through Walmart Vriddhi, offering entrepreneurs insights into how digital commerce can help them reach customers in international markets.

For businesses looking to strengthen their presence on digital marketplaces, Swapnil Paroha, Director, Marketplace Ads, Flipkart, conducted an orientation on Flipkart onboarding, followed by a workshop and Q&A.

The event also featured a Walmart Vriddhi Supplier Academy masterclass, led by Ravikant Suman, Executive Director, Academy and Mentoring, Ideas to Impact Foundation, focused on strengthening business capabilities and helping entrepreneurs build greater readiness for sustainable growth.

Way Forward

The Kolkata edition of Walmart Vriddhi MSME Connect highlighted opportunities for West Bengal’s entrepreneurs to leverage digital commerce, strengthen capabilities and access wider markets. Digital platforms and global marketplaces are enabling MSMEs to reach international customers and explore cross-border trade.

Going forward, strengthening cross-border trade readiness will be key, including awareness of export processes, customs and compliance, logistics, testing and certification, international market requirements and access to finance. Continued collaboration across government, industry, marketplaces and financial institutions will help MSMEs build the capabilities needed to enter global value chains and scale their businesses. Walmart Vriddhi will continue to support entrepreneurs across West Bengal with relevant knowledge, capabilities and market opportunities.

Event Overview

To create a platform for MSMEs to engage with digital commerce and market access opportunities, Walmart Vriddhi hosted MSME Connect 2025 in Mau on December 26, 2025, at Hotel The R.S. Palace, Mau, Uttar Pradesh. The event brought together over 400 delegates, senior government officials, representatives from business associations, and members of the city administration. Shri Rajiv Rai, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, and Shri Badruddin Khan Burney, Former Secretary, India Islamic Cultural Centre, joined the occasion as the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour, respectively.

Bringing MSMEs together, the event highlighted eCommerce opportunities and market access through national  (Flipkart) and international marketplaces (Walmart Marketplace). Walmart Vriddhi MSME Connect Mau 2025 also witnessed participation from representatives of key institutions and industry bodies, including SIDBI and Dak Niryat Kendra (India Post), along with local leadership such as Shri Arshad Jamal from the Nagar Palika Parishad and Shri Jamal Arpan, President of the Mau Saree Vyapar Association.

Key Speakers and Sessions

In the opening session, Parul Soni, Trustee, Ideas to Impact Foundation, highlighted Walmart Vriddhi’s catalytic role in equipping MSMEs with digital tools and personalized mentorship, enabling entrepreneurs to scale their businesses from Mau to national and global markets. Introducing the Walmart Vriddhi Program, Shambhu Nair, Manager – Cross Border Trade, Walmart in India, outlined how the initiative supports MSMEs through structured learning, business tools and access to new marketplaces.

Shri Badruddin Khan Burney, Former Secretary of the India Islamic Cultural Centre, underscored Mau’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem and highlighted the importance of initiatives such as Walmart Vriddhi in enabling MSMEs to modernize their operations and scale to larger markets. Shri Rajiv Rai, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s robust MSME landscape and emphasised the critical role of digital adoption, capability building, and how initiatives like Walmart Vriddhi support local entrepreneurs to achieve sustainable business growth.

The event also featured an experience-sharing session by Walmart Vriddhi graduates Renuka Mishra, Founder of RenHomz and Deepak Rai, Owner of Alpinista, who spoke about how the program’s mentorship and digital enablement strengthened their business operations. Walmart Vriddhi mentor Rajiv Bajaj reflected on his experience supporting entrepreneurs through the program and discussed the role of mentorship and strategic guidance in strengthening business capabilities.

Orientation & Interaction

During the orientation session, Ravikant Suman, Head – Academy & Mentoring, Ideas to Impact Foundation, briefed MSMEs on the program’s training modules, mentorship structure, and onboarding process. In the Cross Border Trade (CBT) session, Shambhu Nair, Manager – Cross Border Trade, Walmart in India emphasized the importance of taking Indian MSMEs to global customers through Walmart.com.

Way Forward

Discussions highlighted the role of collaborative program such as Walmart Vriddhi in empowering MSME inclusion through public–private partnerships. Delegates also discussed the need to expand the program’s presence in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities to engage MSME clusters and facilitate onboarding onto marketplaces such as Flipkart and Walmart Marketplace.

The sessions noted that the alignment of government leadership and program expertise creates an enabling environment for MSMEs to adopt digital commerce and participate in formal market systems. Districts such as Mau were cited as examples of clusters with significant MSME potential, where targeted digital enablement can connect local enterprises to national and global marketplaces, unlocking opportunities for cross-border trade and export-oriented growth.