Next Bharat Hosts “Next Billion Forum 2025” in Bengaluru, Driving India–Japan Cooperation for Inclusive Growth
Next Bharat Ventures IFSC Private Limiteda subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation (“Suzuki”), successfully hosted the second edition of its flagship event, the “Next Billion Forum 2025,” in Bengaluru. The annual forum brought together distinguished leaders from business, government, and academia in India and Japan to deliberate on the country’s long-term development vision and foster sustainable initiatives that target the “next billion people.”
With the central theme of “Bharat 2047,” the event highlighted the roadmap for India as it prepares to celebrate its 100th year of independence in 2047. The discussions focused on how entrepreneurship, innovation, and India–Japan collaboration can accelerate social and economic transformation while ensuring inclusive growth for underserved populations.
Origins of Next Bharat and Its Mission
Next Bharat was founded in 2024 with a clear mission: to address India’s pressing social challenges through business-led solutions. Building on Suzuki’s decades-long presence in the country’s mobility sector—connecting with roughly 400 million people—the initiative seeks to broaden its impact to reach the “next billion” Indians through investments in areas such as agriculture, financial inclusion, supply chain efficiency, and mobility innovations.
Through its venture fund and partnerships, Next Bharat provides capital, mentorship, and strategic support to social entrepreneurs who aim to create scalable solutions for communities traditionally left outside the formal growth story.
Key Agendas of the 2025 Forum
The Next Billion Forum 2025 revolved around three main agendas:
- Discussion on social and economic development in India
- Signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs)
- Introduction and progress report of the social entrepreneurship support program
These focal points underscored the organization’s dual emphasis on thought leadership and concrete action to strengthen India’s development trajectory.
Deliberations on India’s Development Path
The forum was attended by nearly 200 eminent figures, including N. R. Narayana Murthy, Founder of Infosys; Amitabh Kant, former CEO of NITI Aayog and former G20 Sherpa; T. V. Mohandas Pai, Chairman of Aarin Capital; Dr. Pramod Varma, Chief Architect of Aadhaar; Nilesh Shah, Managing Director of Kotak AMC; Tsutomu Nakane, Consul-General of Japan in Bengaluru; Naomi Ishii, Executive Vice President of Suzuki; Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO of Maruti Suzuki India; and Vipul Jindal, Managing Director of Next Bharat.
Key Highlights of the Sessions:
- N. R. Narayana Murthy’s keynote emphasized that India’s march towards “Bharat 2047” hinges on the vision and values of entrepreneurs. He underlined the importance of collaboration between India and Japan, noting that shared learning and cooperation could accelerate transformative change.
- Amitabh Kant’s address praised Next Bharat’s hands-on role in nurturing social enterprises. He spotlighted inspiring examples of entrepreneurs driving impact in areas such as disability inclusion, agriculture, and the revival of traditional crafts.
- Panel discussions featuring T. V. Mohandas Pai, Dr. Pramod Varma, and Nilesh Shah explored practical strategies for achieving the “Bharat 2047” vision. Topics ranged from empowering women entrepreneurs to leveraging India’s growing digital public infrastructure and mobilizing impact investment for grassroots transformation.
- Tsutomu Nakane, Consul-General of Japan in Bengaluru, reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to closer ties with India. He outlined an ambitious goal of facilitating 500,000 human capital exchanges between the two nations over the next five years, reflecting the growing importance of people-to-people partnerships.
- Naomi Ishii, Representative Director and Executive Vice President of Suzuki, drew attention to Suzuki’s four-decade journey in India. He reiterated the company’s intent to expand its contributions beyond mobility by supporting rural entrepreneurs and fostering inclusive growth.
Signing of Strategic MOUs
A significant milestone at the forum was the signing of MOUs aimed at advancing inclusive entrepreneurship. Next Bharat formalized partnerships with:
- Atypical Advantage, an online platform led by Managing Director Vineet Saraiwala, dedicated to creating employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
- UNO Minda Group, a leading automotive parts manufacturer headquartered in Gurugram, under the leadership of Managing Director Nirmal K. Minda.
Commenting on the agreements, Vipul Jindal, Managing Director of Next Bharat, stated: “Our goal is to empower entrepreneurs who create value for the next billion people. By hosting the Next Billion Forum and investing in innovative companies, we are reaffirming our commitment to this mission.”
Social Entrepreneurship Support Program Progress
Another key highlight of the forum was the update on Next Bharat’s social entrepreneurship support program. According to Vipul Jindal, the program has successfully built a vibrant community of 26 social entrepreneurs who are tackling diverse issues across sectors.
The initiative has also strengthened India–Japan cooperation through exchange programs, including the dispatch of officials from Hamamatsu City, Japan, to support collaborative projects. Jindal emphasized that momentum within this community continues to grow, reflecting the collective drive to generate meaningful impact for the underserved populations.
India–Japan Synergy for Sustainable Development
The Next Billion Forum 2025 not only highlighted the urgency of addressing India’s social and economic challenges but also reinforced the pivotal role of international collaboration, particularly between India and Japan. By leveraging Suzuki’s experience, Next Bharat’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, and the expertise of both nations, the initiative is building a robust foundation for inclusive and sustainable growth.
As the forum concluded, it became clear that Next Bharat and Suzuki remain committed to their long-term mission: to enable transformative entrepreneurship that benefits communities across India and lays the groundwork for a prosperous “Bharat 2047.”
