Heartfulness recently hosted the inaugural “Heartfulness Startup Forum” titled In Pursuit of Purpose at the world’s largest meditation center, Kanha Shanti Vanam, on the outskirts of Hyderabad. With India rapidly emerging as a global economic powerhouse, its startup ecosystem is integral to fostering sustained growth. Research shows that successful entrepreneurs often possess emotional resilience to navigate the highs and lows of a dynamic and uncertain business environment. The Heartfulness Startup Forum gathered hundreds of founders to nurture clarity, composure, and well-being, empowering them to thrive as leaders.
The event featured accomplished entrepreneurs and industry experts who shared insights on overcoming challenges through practices like meditation, which help tackle stress, burnout, and other mental challenges. The full-day event was free of charge and focused on topics such as emotional resilience, holistic well-being, and practical sessions on managing startup pressures, along with peer and mentor interactions.
One notable speaker, Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary of the Telangana government’s Industries & Commerce (I&C) and Information Technology (IT) departments, discussed leadership in a fireside chat with Pragya Misra from OpenAI. “A leader must recognize and appreciate their team’s worth,” said Mr Ranjan, emphasizing non-hierarchical support for exceptional teamwork. He also shared his approach to work-life balance: “To prevent burnout, I engage in charity, art, culture, sports, and social events, which keep me energized.”
Phanindra Sama, founder of RedBus, offered his perspective on building resilience in entrepreneurship: “Reaching a unicorn status isn’t the only goal—what matters is how you navigate the journey. Entrepreneurs must manage their stress thresholds and utilize meditation to enhance emotional resilience and broaden their capacity for success.”
Aarti Gupta, Partner at Anikarth Ventures, highlighted the importance of creating meaningful change while also achieving financial success. “Don’t tie your worth to your startup’s valuation. Women, in particular, need to develop a deeper understanding of money and how to grow it,” she advised.
The event also included talks from industry leaders such as Mallika Reddy, founder of Cancelled Plans; Srikanth Iyer, founder of Homelane; Om Dhumatkar, Life Coach & Speaker; Shivakumar Ganesan, founder of Exotel; and Sateesh Andra, MD of Endiya Partners, all of whom shared lessons from their entrepreneurial journeys.
Vani Kola, Managing Director of Kalaari Capital, described the forum as one of the most impactful for startups, emphasizing that resilience is key to overcoming challenges and building successful businesses. “Meditation can help entrepreneurs make better decisions, clarify their thoughts, and maintain equanimity,” she added.
Rev Daaji, Guide of Heartfulness and President of the Shri Ram Chandra Mission, spoke about the need for a new generation of entrepreneurs who not only succeed in business but also embody resilience and balance. “The rise of Indian startups necessitates a deeper awareness of leadership, decision-making, and risk management. This forum empowers entrepreneurs with these principles,” he said.
The Heartfulness Startup Forum is part of the Heartfulness: Advancing in Entrepreneurship initiative, which aims to help entrepreneurs address unique challenges by integrating heart-based meditation practices. Heartfulness meditation fosters self-awareness, enhances leadership abilities, and encourages applying inner wisdom to daily business decisions, ultimately transforming the trajectory of entrepreneurs’ careers. The event also featured a captivating performance by the Madras Mehfil Collective, adding cultural richness to the forum.
Heartfulness offers a modern approach to meditation and lifestyle changes, originally developed in the early 20th century and formalized by the Shri Ram Chandra Mission in 1945. It aims to bring peace, happiness, and wisdom to individuals worldwide. These practices promote contentment, calmness, clarity of thought, compassion, and courage. Suitable for people from all walks of life, Heartfulness is embraced by professionals, students, and individuals globally. Thousands of certified trainers lead practices at over 5,000 Heartfulness Centers in 160 countries, with millions of practitioners across the world.
