FICCI Young Leaders Forum Summit 2025 Sparks Dialogue on Youth Leadership

The FICCI Young Leaders Summit 2025 made a powerful debut in Mumbai at Taj Lands End, uniting India’s leading young business minds, policymakers, investors, and changemakers for a day of meaningful dialogue on leadership, innovation, and sustainable enterprise.

Organized by the FICCI Young Leaders Forum (YLF), the Mumbai edition marked a significant milestone in FICCI’s mission to nurture the country’s next generation of decision-makers bridging the worlds of policy, industry, and entrepreneurship.

The summit opened with the inaugural address by Mr. Harsha V Agarwal, President, FICCI and and Mr. Shashwat Goenka, Chair – FICCI Young Leaders Forum and Vice Chairman, RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group. The session also witnessed the launch of the FICCI Young Leaders Helpdesk and the establishment of new YLF State Chapters in Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka, aimed at strengthening youth-led leadership networks across India.

“This Summit reaffirms that India’s transformation will be led by its youth a generation that is informed, decisive and globally competitive,” said Mr. Harsha V Agarwal.

“The energy and perspective we witnessed today prove that leadership is about purpose and progress, not hierarchy,” added Mr. Shashwat Goenka.

The agenda featured a robust line-up of thought leaders across business and policy. Various sessions brought together influential founders and investors including Dhvanil Sheth (Skillmatics), and representatives from Rukam Capital and 3one4 Capital, among several others.

A key highlight was the session on Artificial Intelligence and Leadership, featuring senior executives from Google, Microsoft, Deloitte, WPP, and BharatGPT, exploring how AI is redefining decision-making, governance, and the future of work.

In a special fireside conversation, Shri Raghav Chadha, Hon’ble MP (Rajya Sabha), shared insights on youth participation in governance and the evolution of leadership in a rapidly changing India.

“True leadership is about showing up with integrity and purpose — it’s not defined by age, but by vision,” he said.

The day also featured Shri Aaditya Thackeray, MLA, in an engaging dialogue on sustainability, innovation, and urban transformation, underscoring the role of responsible policy and youth-led action in shaping resilient cities and a greener India.

Mr. Rishabh Shroff, Co-Chair, FICCI Young Leaders Forum & Partner, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, remarked, “The Mumbai debut of the YLF Summit represents the rise of a collaborative generation, one that blends enterprise with empathy and innovation with impact.”

Further the session ‘Next-Gen Titans of Indian Industry’, featuring Shashvat Somany (SOmany Impresa Grouo), Sakshi Sage (The Sage Group & Intex), Indraneel Chitale (Chitale Bandhu), and Anandamayi Bajaj (Bajaj Group), explored how family businesses and legacy brands are reimagining governance, digital transformation, and purpose-led growth.

The Summit concluded with ‘From Creativity to Commerce: Building Purpose-Driven Brands’, a session on the intersection of entrepreneurship, influence, and brand authenticity, moderated by Akash Kamal, Founding Partner, TIC Network, featuring creative founders and digital business leaders.

With its successful Mumbai debut, the FICCI Young Leaders Summit 2025 solidified its position as a premier platform for India’s emerging leaders, fostering collaboration between business, policy, and innovation, and aligning with the vision of building a Viksit Bharat driven by youth enterprise and ethical leadership.