Twenty years in media and events can teach you a lot about what makes businesses tick. For Yashesh Shah, those two decades became the foundation for something bigger – creating platforms where entrepreneurs could find their next big break.
Shah's journey through India's media landscape reads like a masterclass in understanding business from multiple angles. He cut his teeth at leading media companies, worked his way through Engineering Industry publications and exhibitions, real estate events and spent significant time with franchise media firms. Each role added another layer to his understanding of how businesses grow, scale, and sometimes struggle to find the right connections.
By 2020, after 16 years of climbing corporate ladders, Shah made the jump that many think about but few actually take. He founded Growth Expo, betting that India's franchise sector needed better platforms to connect investors with opportunities.
The timing couldn't have been more challenging. Starting a business focused on bringing people together just as the world was learning to stay apart required serious conviction. But Shah's read of the market proved accurate. Growth Expo has since organized 24 successful franchise exhibitions across India, each one drawing entrepreneurs, investors, and franchise brands looking to expand their footprint.
"The franchise model is perfect for India," Shah explains. "It allows people to start businesses with proven systems while giving established brands the chance to scale quickly. But the challenge has always been making the right connections."
That's exactly what Growth Expo addresses. Their exhibitions aren't just trade shows – they're carefully curated marketplaces where serious franchise opportunities meet genuine investors. The formula has worked well enough that their 25th edition, Growth Expo Pune, is set for October 4-5 at Rajyog Banquets.
But Shah wasn't content with just facilitating business connections. Two years ago, he launched Growth Awards, recognizing that entrepreneurs needed more than just business opportunities – they needed recognition for their achievements.
The first Growth Awards event in Ahmedabad set the tone. Unlike many award ceremonies that feel more like social gatherings, Growth Awards focused on genuine achievements. The response was strong enough to expand quickly across major cities – Pune, Mumbai, Surat, Rajkot, and beyond. Seven successful editions later, the awards have become a significant recognition platform for entrepreneurs across Western India.
What makes Shah's approach different is his understanding of the ecosystem. Having worked across media, real estate, and franchise sectors, he knows that successful entrepreneurship isn't just about having a good idea – it's about access to the right networks, mentorship, and recognition at crucial moments.
His corporate background includes several awards, though Shah tends to focus more on what comes next than what's already been achieved. His vision centers on entrepreneurship development, while his mission specifically targets the growth of startups and SMEs – the backbone of India's economy that often struggles for visibility and support.
The franchise exhibition business might seem straightforward, but Shah has built something more comprehensive. Growth Expo doesn't just organise events – they've become consultants, helping brands understand franchising as a growth strategy and guiding potential franchisees through the selection process.
"Many people think franchising is just about paying a fee and following a manual," Shah notes. "But successful franchising requires understanding local markets, managing relationships, and adapting proven systems to specific conditions. We try to bridge that knowledge gap."
The awards platform serves a different but complementary purpose. In a country where entrepreneurial success often goes unnoticed beyond immediate business circles, Growth Awards creates broader visibility for achievements that deserve recognition. Each event celebrates entrepreneurs who've built something meaningful, often inspiring others to take similar leaps.
Shah's timing appears particularly relevant now. India's startup ecosystem has gained global attention, but much of the focus remains on tech unicorns and venture-funded companies. The franchise sector and traditional SMEs – the areas where Growth Expo focuses – represent a much larger portion of India's entrepreneurial activity.
Looking ahead, Shah sees opportunities to expand both the exhibition and awards platforms. The success across different cities suggests demand exists for quality entrepreneurship-focused events beyond the usual startup hubs of Bangalore and Mumbai.
His background in media gives him an edge in understanding how to create events that generate genuine value rather than just attendance. The combination of business connections, recognition, and ongoing consultancy support addresses multiple needs that entrepreneurs face.
After two decades of observing businesses from the outside, Shah has built platforms that put him directly in the middle of India's entrepreneurial growth story. His transition from media professional to ecosystem builder reflects a broader trend of experienced professionals using their industry knowledge to create new kinds of support systems for the next generation of entrepreneurs.