India’s most influential platform recognizing family enterprise excellence
July 2026 | Bengaluru, India
Recognizing family enterprises that have excelled in this critical dimension of business legacy and growth.
Recognizing family enterprises that have excelled in this critical dimension of business legacy and growth.
Recognizing family enterprises that have excelled in this critical dimension of business legacy and growth.
Recognizing family enterprises that have excelled in this critical dimension of business legacy and growth.
Recognizing family enterprises that have excelled in this critical dimension of business legacy and growth.
Recognizing family enterprises that have excelled in this critical dimension of business legacy and growth.
Recognizing family enterprises that have excelled in this critical dimension of business legacy and growth.
Recognizing family enterprises that have excelled in this critical dimension of business legacy and growth.
Recognizing family enterprises that have excelled in this critical dimension of business legacy and growth.
Recognizing family enterprises that have excelled in this critical dimension of business legacy and growth.
Recognizing family enterprises that have excelled in this critical dimension of business legacy and growth.
India’s economic narrative has been shaped not by short-term cycles, but by enterprises that have stood resilient across generations. At the heart of this resilience are family-led businesses that have evolved from closely held firms into powerful enterprise dynasties, balancing legacy with reinvention, and tradition with transformation.
The ET NOW Family Business Excellence Summit & Awards 2026 brings together India’s most influential family enterprises, next-generation leaders, and first-generation founders on a single platform to examine how institutions are built, scaled, and sustained in an increasingly dynamic markets and complex global economy.
As India moves toward its next phase of economic expansion, family enterprises continue to remain central to value creation, governance evolution, and long-term capital allocation, shaping not just markets, but the very structure of Indian enterprise.
The summit is designed for the high-level leadership, convening stories and legacies that goes beyond celebration to meaningful dialogue. It explores how India’s most influential family enterprises are:
“This is more than a recognition platform; it is a strategic forum where India’s family enterprise dynasties engage in shaping the future of business leadership.”
Gain insights from India’s most influential family business leaders
Understand models of succession, governance, and institutional scaling
Engage with next-generation leaders redefining enterprise strategy
Explore how AI, innovation, and globalisation are reshaping legacy businesses
Be part of the country’s most prestigious family enterprise recognition platform
Network with Chairpersons, founders, policymakers, and industry thought leaders
The summit is designed for high-level leadership, convening stories and legacies that go beyond celebration to meaningful dialogue.
We should look at families in the following bracket of business turnover. This applies to a specific family business or the consolidated revenue of all businesses the family has as part of their group or holdco.
We will recommend some market facing names.
A flagship recognition for enterprises that have preserved and strengthened the business across generations through succession, continuity of ownership and / or management control, long term growth, stability and financial outlook.
Focus: Scale, performance, brand value and legacy
Parameter | What Evaluators Look For |
Financial Growth | 3-year compound annual revenue growth rate |
Profitability | Positive EBITDA over 3 consecutive years |
Brand Value | Presence in recognised brand valuation indices — BrandZ, Interbrand, Brand Finance India (optional) |
Governance Rating | Credit rating, ESG score, or governance ranking |
Market Position | In respective industry |
Legacy and History | Succession planning, multi-generational management roles |
Honours family businesses demonstrating leadership in ESG, sustainability practices, and responsible growth models.
Focus: ESG integration, climate action, circular economy, governance.
Parameter | What Evaluators Look For |
ESG Score | CRISIL, MSCI, Sustainalytics, or equivalent ESG rating |
Carbon Footprint Reduction | Documented year-on-year reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions |
Sustainability Certifications | GRI, CDP, Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) alignment |
Carbon footprint | Businesses calculating emissions and implementing reduction strategies |
For family enterprises that have successfully embedded digital technologies, automation, and AI-led transformation across operations driving innovation, efficiency, growth and future readiness.
Focus: Digital maturity, innovation adoption, tech-driven efficiency.
Parameter | What Evaluators Look For |
Technology Investment | IT and digital capex as percentage of total revenue - annual reports |
AI & Automation Adoption | Documented implementation of AI, ML, or RPA across operations - case studies |
Recognitions | Presence in digital transformation rankings, industry assessments, and market forums |
Cybersecurity & Data Governance | ISO 27001 certification or equivalent data security framework |
Operational Aspects | Effective Cloud/ ERP adoption, Customer experience digitisation, website/app user experience, supply chain optimisation, leveraging data & analytics for growth & efficiency |
Recognises meaningful contribution to society through structured CSR, foundations, and long-term social impact initiatives.
Focus: Impact scalability, philanthropy, institutional giving.
Parameter | What Evaluators Look For |
CSR Spend | Annual CSR expenditure as percentage of net profit |
CSR Compliance & reporting | Consistent compliance with Companies Act Section 135 CSR mandate |
Programme Scale | Number of direct and indirect beneficiaries reached or programs implemented |
Institutional Giving | Existence of a dedicated family foundation or charitable trust |
Recognitions and Nominations | Recognitions by ministry of corporate affairs/IICA for national CSR or equivalent awards |
Impactful partnerships | Partnerships with NGOs/public institutions for measurable social impact |
For family businesses that have consistently created strong value for investors, stakeholders, and capital partners through disciplined financial management.
Focus: Valuation growth, capital efficiency, governance, stakeholder trust.
Parameter | What Evaluators Look For |
Shareholder Returns | 3 and 5-year total shareholder return |
Credit Rating | Long-term credit rating by CRISIL, ICRA, CARE, or India Ratings |
Dividend Consistency | Dividend payout record over minimum 5 years - BSE/NSE filings |
Debt Management | Debt-to-equity ratio trend over 3 years |
Promoter Pledge | Percentage of promoter shareholding pledged – BSE/ NSE exchange disclosure |
Recognises families that have successfully executed leadership transition through structured succession planning, institutionalised governance, and seamless transfer of responsibilities across generations or to professional or family leadership, while ensuring continuity, stability, and long-term business growth.
Focus: Governance structures, generational transition, leadership pipeline.
Parameter | What Evaluators Look For |
Succession Clarity | Documented and publicly communicated succession framework |
Next-Gen Role | Formal appointment of next generation or professional leadership in an executive or board role |
Governance Evolution | Evidence of transition from informal to institutionalised governance structures |
For family enterprises that have institutionalised strong governance frameworks with effective independent board participation.
Focus: Board independence, governance maturity, compliance standards.
Parameter | What Evaluators Look For |
Board Independence Ratio | Minimum 5 independent directors on board |
Board Committee Structure | Existence and active functioning of Audit, Risk, and Nomination & Remuneration Committees |
Independent Director Credentials | Qualifications, industry experience, and diversity of independent directors |
Governance Rating | External governance score by CRISIL, IiAS, or Institutional Investor Advisory Services |
Regulatory Compliance Record | Clean compliance record with SEBI, MCA, RBI |
Recognises family-led business groups that have built diversified, multi-sector enterprises while successfully expanding their presence across international markets through strategic, scalable, and sustainable growth.
Focus: Diversification strategy, global expansion, capital allocation, cross-border growth, and group-level governance.
Parameter | What Evaluators Look For |
Sector Diversification | Number of distinct industry sectors/business verticals operated by the group |
International Presence | Number of countries with active subsidiaries, offices, manufacturing units, or operations |
Global Revenue Share | Percentage of consolidated revenue contributed by overseas markets |
Cross-Border Expansion Activity | Publicly reported international acquisitions, joint ventures, partnerships, or market expansion initiatives in the last 5 years |
Consolidated Financial Growth | Consolidated revenue and EBITDA growth over the last 3 financial years based on annual reports or public filings |
Honours long-term senior leaders who have successfully stewarded the family enterprise through growth, transformation, and value preservation, actively shaping the future of organisation.
Focus: Legacy building, leadership stability, strategic direction.
Parameter | What Evaluators Look For |
Role | Recognises Family’s leadership in building the business |
Enterprise Scale Built | Revenue scale achieved under their leadership tenure |
Tenure & Continuity | Years of active leadership and documented strategic continuity |
Industry Recognition | Presence in national business leadership rankings |
Institutional Legacy | Establishment of governance structures, foundations, or enduring institutional frameworks under their leadership |
Sector Contribution | Documented contribution to industry bodies, policy forums, or national economic initiatives |
Recognises new-generation leaders driving transformation, innovation, and future-readiness, with a potential to turn their businesses into family legacies tomorrow.
Focus: Disruption, digital mindset, new-age leadership.
Parameter | What Evaluators Look For |
Valuation / Market Capitalisation Growth | Increase in enterprise valuation, market capitalisation, or investor confidence indicators |
Digital or Innovation Footprint | Documented introduction of a new business model, technology, products/services with market-fit evidence or market under their leadership |
Industry Recognition | Recognition through reputed industry rankings, entrepreneur lists, business awards, or market forums |
Brand Visibility & Consumer Reach | Market presence, customer base growth, digital reach, or measurable brand visibility indicators |
Stakeholder Visibility | Media presence, industry speaking engagements, or published thought leadership |
Honours individuals with decades of contribution to building, scaling, and institutionalising a family enterprise. This will be a jury special award.
Focus: Enduring legacy, institutional contribution, sector impact.
Parameter | What Evaluators Look For |
Leadership Tenure | Minimum 25 years of documented active leadership within the family enterprise |
Enterprise Value Created | Total enterprise value or revenue scale built over career tenure |
Sector Transformation | Documented contribution to transforming, pioneering, or defining their industry sector |
National Recognition | Featured on credible market & industry forums |
Institutional Legacy | Enduring governance structures, foundations, or institutions established that outlast active leadership |
