Event Overview
Walmart Vriddhi hosted MSME Connect 2026 at the Brilliant Convention Centre in Indore, bringing together MSMEs, senior government representatives, industry associations, and ecosystem partners to explore digital commerce and business growth opportunities. Organized in collaboration with the Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of Madhya Pradesh, the event witnessed a turnout of 600+ MSMEs.
The event received support from key state government departments including Startup MP, Department of MSMEs, Government of Madhya Pradesh; Madhya Pradesh Laghu Udyog Nigam (MP LUN); Madhya Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation (MPIDC); Department of Horticulture and Food Processing, Government of Madhya Pradesh; Madhya Pradesh State Rural Livelihoods Mission (MP-SRLM); TRIFED Bhopal and regional industry associations including Association of Industries Madhya Pradesh (AIMP), FICCI FLO Indore; and Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) among others. Shri Shankar Lalwani, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Indore Lok Sabha graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
Key Speakers and Sessions
The event commenced with opening remarks by Parul Soni, President, Ideas to Impact Foundation, who highlighted how Walmart Vriddhi in enabling MSMEs through digital tools, personalized mentorship, and market access.
Shri Shankar Lalwani, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Indore Lok Sabha, spoke about the transformative impact of Digital India on the MSME sector, describing MSMEs as the key driver of employment generation and inclusive economic growth. He underscored the importance of strengthening the capabilities of local enterprises to help them scale sustainably and contribute to India’s broader economic development.
Yashwant Narayan Kulkarni, General Manager and Regional In-Charge, SIDBI, highlighted SIDBI’s role in supporting MSMEs through access to finance, including term loans for machinery and business expansion, working capital assistance, and specialized financial support for agriculture, food processing, green enterprises, and emerging manufacturing sectors.
Arun Karmakar, Global Sourcing, Walmart introduced the Walmart Vriddhi Supplier Development Program and reiterated Walmart’s commitment to strengthening India’s MSME ecosystem through digital commerce, strategic partnerships, and capacity building.
The event also featured an experience-sharing session by Walmart Vriddhi graduates Anand Kashyap, Founder, Organic Anand, and Naina Chaurasiya, Founder, Shri Radha Madhav Enterprise. They reflected on how the program helped strengthen different aspects of their businesses, from adopting sustainable packaging practices and improving product quality to expanding into digital commerce and reaching new customer segments.
Orientation & Interaction
The orientation sessions focused on introducing participating MSMEs to Walmart Vriddhi’s business learning ecosystem, digital commerce, and pathways to market access through Flipkart and Walmart Marketplaces.
Participants were guided through marketplace onboarding, seller readiness, and business growth opportunities while gaining practical insights into building stronger digital capabilities. The sessions concluded with an interactive Q&A, where Walmart and Flipkart representatives addressed participant queries and shared guidance on navigating the digital commerce ecosystem.
Way Forward
Discussions at the event reinforced the importance of continued collaboration between government departments, financial institutions, industry associations in strengthening MSME growth. Continued localized engagement and ecosystem partnerships will play a key role in enabling more MSMEs to improve market readiness and achieve growth through Walmart Vriddhi.
