Joy Alukkas, chairman of the Joyalukkas Group, has been named Dhanam Businessman of the Year for 2025. The honour recognises his role in building a global jewellery retail empire and reflects the growing international stature of Kerala-born enterprises.
Jose Dominic, co-founder of CGH Earth group of hotels and resorts and a pioneer in sustainable tourism and hospitality in Kerala, has been selected for the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Business Professional of the Year award goes to Venkataraman Ramachandran, CEO and whole-time director of V-Guard Industries Ltd. He is credited with steering the home-grown electrical brand through a phase of tech-driven transformation.
On the entrepreneurial front, Dhanesh Raghulal, executive director of Elite Group, has been named Woman Entrepreneur of the Year. The award recognises her role in expanding one of Kerala’s major brands in food and FMCG.
CloudSEK, a Bengaluru-based cybersecurity firm founded by Malayali tech entrepreneur Rahul Sasi, has bagged the Dhanam Startup Award. With AI-powered risk prediction tools, CloudSEK is among the few Indian startups drawing global investor interest in the cyber intelligence space.
The awards will be conferred during the Dhanam Business Summit & Award Night on June 25. The stage is set for Kerala’s top entrepreneurs, business professionals, and rising startups to be recognised at the 2025 edition of the Dhanam Business Excellence Awards, to be held at Le Meridien Convention Centre in Kochi.
The event will double up as a networking forum for Kerala's top corporate leaders, with sessions lined up on the future of entrepreneurship and green economy.
The summit’s theme is “The New Age of Entrepreneurship: Creating Impact Beyond Profit.” Faizal Kottikollon, founder of KEF Holdings and Tulah Wellness Clinics, will deliver a theme address touching upon impact-led business models and social capital.
Muralee Thummarukudy, a UN official known for his witty takes on climate action, is also set to speak — this time on opportunities Kerala entrepreneurs can tap within the green economy.
Another major session will feature a panel discussion with business heads from Kerala-based companies clocking over ₹1,000 crore in annual turnover.
A jury of seasoned professionals picked up this year’s awardees after a meticulous process of selection and vetting. Chaired by the well-known chartered accountant and financial strategist Venugopal C Govind, the panel included MK Das, senior financial journalist and editor; C J George, founder and MD of Geojit Financial Services; and, Navas Meeran, chairman of Group Meeran.
Adding some cinematic sparkle to the evening will be Indian film producer Guneet Monga, who will attend as guest of honour. A two-time Oscar winner for The Elephant Whisperers and Period. End of Sentence., Guneet is also the founder of the Mumbai-based production house Sikhya.
The event will also witness the release of the Dhanam Power List, a roundup of Kerala's corporate giants with revenues exceeding ₹1,000 crore.
The event will be held in Kochi on June 25. Attendees can register via the official website: dhanambusinesssummit.com
Further details on the schedule and awardees are expected to be released in the coming days. For more details, call: 9072570055.