CEO Talk Series Highlights “Unicorns in India – Growth Strategies”

CEO Talk Series – “Unicorns in India – Growth Strategies”

The Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) of Firebird Institute of Research in Management celebrated National Entrepreneurship Day under its CEO Talk Series on 18th November 2025. The theme of the session was “Unicorns in India – Growth Strategies.” The event was coordinated by the IIC Student Coordinators.

The session commenced with a formal welcome address by student coordinators and felicitation of the guest by the Director and the faculty team. Dr. P. Srinivas Rao, Director, Firebird, has given an insightful address on the topic. He emphasized Coimbatore’s position as the “Manchester of South India”, the challenges the region faces in nurturing unicorns, the increasing market complexities, and the applicability of the BCG Matrix in understanding industry dynamics in India. He also highlighted on Zepto and Q Commerce as the fast emerging trade platforms in business operations.

The Chief Guest, Dr. Nithyanandan Devaraj, delivered a comprehensive talk on the evolution and expansion of Unicorns in India, highlighting emerging trends such as Q-Commerce and strategic models adopted by leading enterprises. He provided a layered perspective—starting from the micro-ecosystem of Coimbatore to the global entrepreneurial landscape. Growth strategies of companies like TATA, ITC, Raymonds, etc., and B to B brands and Companies of Coimbatore were discussed with practical examples. He highlighted on the growth strategies of China compared with India and Japan.

A key highlight of his discussion was the relevance of Japanese management practices, where he differentiated the roles of managers, leaders, and entrepreneurs, illustrating these distinctions through relatable case examples. He also shed light on financial investments, current gaps, and future opportunities within India’s unicorn ecosystem.

The session concluded with an interactive Q&A segment, enabling students to gain clarity on entrepreneurial strategies and industry expectations. A formal vote of thanks was delivered by the IIC Student Coordinator of Firebird.