FLO Bengaluru Startup Cell hosted Start Small, Build Big on 5th June 2026, bringing together over 100 members for an insightful masterclass and panel discussion featuring some of India’s most accomplished business leaders. The session was designed to provide entrepreneurs with practical lessons on scaling businesses, navigating challenges, building resilient organizations, and creating long-term value.
The distinguished panel comprised Hemant Malik, CEO of ITC Foods Division; Gaurav Singh Kushwaha, Founder & CEO of BlueStone; Meghna Agarwal, Co-Founder of IndiQube; and was moderated by Rutvik Doshi, Founder of Athera Venture Partners. Representing diverse sectors including FMCG, lifestyle retail, real estate, and venture capital, the speakers shared candid insights drawn from their entrepreneurial and leadership journeys.
Hemant Malik spoke about the evolution of ITC Foods from a legacy conglomerate into a leading FMCG powerhouse. He highlighted the importance of fostering innovation within large organizations and shared the story behind My Right Choice, a niche nutrition-focused brand that emerged through intrapreneurship and employee-led innovation.
Gaurav Kushwaha traced BlueStone’s transformation from a technology-led online jewellery startup into a successful omnichannel brand. He emphasized challenging conventional industry thinking, building high-performing teams, and leveraging technology to create operational efficiencies. He also shared valuable insights on BlueStone’s transition into offline retail and the complementary role of digital and physical channels in driving growth.
Meghna Agarwal presented her leadership philosophy through the 5 C’s Framework—Clarity, Control, Communication, Core Competence, and Continuity—offering participants a practical blueprint for scaling businesses while maintaining focus and resilience. She encouraged founders to cultivate an abundance mindset and build distinctive value propositions rather than fear competition.
The session concluded with discussions on fundraising, idea validation, leadership during uncertainty, and lessons learned from navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 era. The event provided members with actionable strategies, meaningful mentorship opportunities, and valuable perspectives on building sustainable, future-ready enterprises.