The 17th edition of the Dhanam Business Summit and Award Nite got underway at Le Méridien Convention Centre in Kochi on June 25. This afternoon opened with a lively panel discussion featuring some of the most influential names from Kerala’s business world—leaders of companies clocking over ₹1,000 crore in annual revenue.
Among those sharing the stage were Joyalukkas Group chairman Joy Alukkas, Synthite Industries managing director Aju Jacob, Walkaroo International’s V Noushad, and Popular Vehicles and Services MD Naveen Philip. The discussion, moderated by Philip, touched on the real-world challenges and lessons of building influence beyond financial profits.
The summit theme this year—“Beyond Profit: Building Influence”—hinted at a deeper conversation. It wasn’t just about revenues and margins but about the legacy and long-term influence businesses can shape.
The event also drew the attention of Academy Award-winning producer Guneet Monga Kapoor, who was present as the guest of honour. Special talks were delivered by entrepreneur Faizal Kottikollon and environmental expert Muralee Thummarukudy, adding diverse perspectives to the evening’s tone.
As the evening progressed, it was time to recognise the movers and shakers who have steered Kerala’s industries with purpose. The Dhanam Business Excellence Awards were handed out across several categories, honouring individuals across leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
Joy Alukkas received the Businessman of the Year 2025 title, while CGH Earth co-founder Jose Dominic was named for the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Venkittaraman Ramachandran, CEO and Whole-time Director of V-Guard Industries, was awarded Business Professional of the Year 2025.
Danesa Raghulal, executive drector of Elite Group, was recognised as Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2025.
The Startup Award went to CloudSEK co-founder and CEO Rahul Sasi, underlining the increasing recognition of tech-led ventures emerging from Kerala.
While the event featured awards and high-profile speakers, the underlying tone was one of honest conversation—about navigating uncertainties, scaling sustainably, and creating impact beyond balance sheets. Attendees speculated that Kerala’s business ecosystem may be gearing up for a new phase of growth, one that values long-term influence as much as short-term success.
With over a thousand participants expected through the day, the Dhanam Summit continued late into the evening, reflecting not just the growing appetite for business dialogue in the state, but also the changing face of enterprise itself.