Evolve Celebrates Five Years with Inspiring Business Conclave

The entrepreneurial landscape of Mangaluru experienced a significant boost as Evolve, a distinguished Women Entrepreneurs’ Association, commemorated its fifth anniversary with the annual business conclave, Biz Insights, on March 2, 2026. The event took place at the renowned Ocean Pearl and served as a vital platform for women entrepreneurs, business networking, and leadership development in the region.

Since its inception, Evolve has grown remarkably, expanding its membership fivefold and emerging as the leading voice for registered women entrepreneurs in Mangaluru. The annual conclave reinforced Evolve’s commitment to fostering a vibrant ecosystem for female-led businesses and startups in Coastal Karnataka.

Dynamic Discussions on Innovation and Growth

The gathering attracted a diverse group of participants, including industrialists, business founders, policymakers, and aspiring entrepreneurs. The event’s highlight was a thought-provoking panel discussion featuring prominent figures such as Bimba Manoj from Garodi Steels Corporation, Dion Monterio of Rohan Corporation, Roopalaxmi Pedamale from NCR Atleos Corporation, Shashir Shetty of Niveus (part of NTT Data), and Shriya Shetty of BuCo, expertly moderated by CA M. N. Pai.

The panelists discussed various topics, including innovation, growth strategies, and the critical need for Mangaluru to gain global recognition. Bimba Manoj shared her experiences in a predominantly male-dominated steel industry, stating, “Decisions made by women are still often cross-checked,” emphasizing the challenges faced by women leaders. She highlighted the importance of mentorship, likening it to a GPS for entrepreneurs, guiding them through complex decisions.

Dion Monterio noted a growing trend of entrepreneurs and investors from outside Karnataka flocking to Mangaluru. He revealed that Rohan Corporation generates most of its leads through Instagram, underscoring the importance of digital marketing in the region’s business climate. Roopalaxmi Pedamale encouraged attendees to embrace a global perspective, stating, “You can be locally placed and globally relevant.”

Both Shashir Shetty and Bimba Manoj reiterated the need for Mangaluru to pursue global visibility, citing the region’s potential to develop internationally recognized brands. Addressing audience questions, Shetty pointed out the availability of seven incubation centres in the area to support emerging startups. Additionally, Shriya Shetty energized the crowd by discussing various government initiatives aimed at assisting women entrepreneurs, highlighting how mentorship has been crucial for navigating business challenges.

Innovative Approaches and Community Support

The conclave also featured a unique management session delivered by regional Instagram influencer Dhiraj Shetty Mijar, known as Dhirappan. Using humor to convey practical business strategies, he captivated the audience with insights on unlearning, positioning, and brand storytelling. He emphasized that sharing emotional journeys and clearly communicating differentiators are essential components of effective marketing in today’s competitive landscape.

MLA Vedavyas Kamath expressed his support for establishing a Women-Only Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Mangaluru, receiving an enthusiastic response from attendees. He commended Evolve for its role as a strong advocate for women entrepreneurs in the region. U. T. Khader, the Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, congratulated the organizers and industry leaders, noting that such events highlight Mangaluru’s potential on a larger scale.

Industry leaders such as Mr. Prakash Kalbhavi and Mr. Vinod Pinto emphasized the importance of collaboration among organizations like CREDAI, CII, KCCI, and Evolve to strengthen Mangaluru’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. They urged these entities to work together in positioning the city as a hub for tourism, startups, and employment opportunities for young entrepreneurs.

The event’s main sponsor, Ideal Ice Creams, represented by Mukund Kamath, teased an exciting announcement in preparation for the brand’s upcoming 50th anniversary, adding to the event’s energy. Other sponsors included DBS Bank, Bank of Baroda, Trayii Jewelry, and more.

Special invitees such as Abhinav Bansal of CII and Ahmed Mudassar of KCCI also attended, underscoring the event’s significance within the business community. The smooth transitions between various segments of the event were managed by EmCee Anurag, while extensive media coverage was provided by Padmini Shenoy from MangaloreCityVibes.

As Evolve celebrates five years of impactful initiatives, the Annual Business Conclave has reaffirmed its mission to empower women-led businesses in Mangaluru. The event has not only strengthened the local startup ecosystem but also inspired entrepreneurs to think globally while building locally. With renewed momentum and ambition, the Mangaluru business community is poised for a promising future.