Hyderabad, March 30: India witnessed nearly 270 SME IPOs in 2025, but only about 10 originated from Telangana, highlighting a significant untapped opportunity for the state’s enterprises to access public markets, said Aravinda Garikipati during a panel discussion on “Myths, Realities & Market Mechanics of IPO as a Funding Opportunity.”
The observation was made at the IPO Awareness & Funding Conclave 2026, organised by the Banking, Finance, Insurance & Capital Market Committee of the Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry, a 108-year-old trade body, at Hotel Vivanta, Begumpet on Saturday evening.
The conclave was supported by National Stock Exchange, DBS Bank, GrowMo360, TIHCL, and the Government of Telangana.
Rajesh Kumar Dangeti, Chief General Manager, Corporate Finance Department, SEBI, who attended as Chief Guest, emphasized that SMEs are the backbone of India’s economy.
He noted that many of today’s large corporations began as SMEs and highlighted that while bank credit can be challenging, capital markets provide a credible and scalable alternative for growth.
India’s IPO market has raised nearly $65 billion, ranking among the top three globally. While India leads in the number of IPOs, there remains a gap in terms of capital raised, he said. To achieve the country’s $5 trillion economy goal, he stressed the need for a steady pipeline of companies entering the capital markets.
Highlighting the strength of the MSME sector, he said it contributes 31% to GDP, 50% to exports, and provides employment to over 330 million people. He also noted the rapid expansion of the investor base—from 30 million pre-COVID to over 140 million today.
He underscored the importance of transparency, stating that clear and accurate disclosures are critical for building investor confidence and successfully navigating the IPO process.
Welcoming the gathering, R. Ravi Kumar, President, FTCCI, highlighted the growing importance of capital markets in enabling business expansion.
He observed that Hyderabad hosts a large number of high-potential enterprises that remain underrepresented in public markets.
“India’s IPO ecosystem is at an inflection point. While SME IPOs are gaining momentum, many businesses still perceive them as complex. Through this conclave, we aim to bridge that gap and unlock growth capital through public markets,” he said.
He added that an IPO is not just a fundraising exercise but a milestone of credibility, reflecting governance, transparency, and readiness for long-term growth.
Introducing the theme, Premchand Kankaria, Chair of the Banking, Finance, Insurance & Capital Market Committee, FTCCI, elaborated on: “Unlocking Growth Capital: Your Pathway to Public Markets”
He explained that the term “unlocking” reflects the reality that many businesses already have the potential to access capital markets but lack clarity and preparedness.
He noted that the conclave was structured around three key questions for entrepreneurs: Am I ready?, What does the journey look like? And Who can guide me?
The conclave featured two technical sessions offering both expert insights and real-world experiences.
The first session on “Myths, Realities & Market Mechanics of IPO”, moderated by Aravinda Garikipati, included experts such as Parvati Moorthy, Chandra Mohan Reddy, and Bharath Ram. The panel addressed common misconceptions, regulatory requirements, and practical aspects of SME listings.
The second session on “Success Stories – From Vision to Listing”, moderated by Senthil Murugan R, featured K Krishna Kishore, Lalit Panda, and Darshan Varma, who shared firsthand experiences of transitioning from private enterprises to publicly listed companies.
The event brought together over 200 participants, including industry leaders, regulators, financial institutions, merchant bankers, and entrepreneurs.
Discussions focused on IPO readiness, SME listing opportunities, pre-IPO funding mechanisms, and practical insights from successful listings.
The conclave concluded with a strong message encouraging businesses in Telangana to actively explore capital markets as a strategic pathway for growth, scale, and long-term sustainability.
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