Bengaluru, 13th July 2026: Tally Solutions Pvt Ltd, India’s leading business management software provider, today concluded the South Zone edition of Tally MSME Honours 2026 in Bengaluru, felicitating 39 outstanding MSMEs from across the region. The sixth edition of the flagship initiative recognises entrepreneurs and small businesses driving innovation, employment, and economic growth across key sectors such as retail, manufacturing, services, technology, and trading. This year’s South Zone winners reflect the initiative’s deepening reach beyond metros, with awardees from Kurnool, Nellore, Ongole, Hubballi, Raichur, Vellore, and Nagercoil standing alongside businesses from Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad.
The event was graced by Devraj K, Director, Ministry of MSME, Government of India, and R. Saravanakumar, Senior General Manager & Zonal Head, National Small Industries Corporation Limited (NSIC), who shared their perspectives on the evolving MSME landscape. This year’s edition was supported by Axis Bank as the Banking Partner and Salesforce as the Technology Partner, reflecting a shared commitment to enabling entrepreneurial growth. Rohan Srivastava, Head – Business Loan and Equipment Finance, Commercial Banking Coverage Group, Axis Bank, also addressed the winners. The event further featured a practical workshop on AI for MSMEs, led by Parikshith Mukesh, equipping entrepreneurs with actionable insights on leveraging AI to enhance business productivity and growth.
Across all six editions, the initiative has received over 85,000 nominations, with over 20% of entries from women-led ventures, and has recognised more than 1000 MSMEs across seven countries, making it one of the biggest platforms globally to celebrate MSMEs. The 2026 edition placed a sharper focus on participation from Tier II and Tier III markets, with entrepreneurs given the option to submit video entries in native languages. Tally also deployed an AI-led shortlisting framework this year to validate and assess entries more comprehensively, ensuring deserving businesses receive due recognition for their impact and growth.
Speaking at the event, Ms. Jayati Singh, Chief Business Officer, Tally Solutions, said, “Over the years, we’ve seen Tally MSME Honours evolve into much more than a recognition platform. Many past winners have gone on to gain wider visibility, build new partnerships, and participate in larger industry forums. This year’s response has been particularly encouraging, with 58% of nominations coming from Tier II and Tier III markets, reaffirming that entrepreneurial ambition and innovation are thriving across every corner of the country. That is what we want Tally MSME Honours to continue enabling: a community where deserving entrepreneurs are recognised, connected, and empowered to grow while inspiring many more businesses along the way.”
The nomination entries were judged by an esteemed panel comprising Hema Malini, Hon. Secretary, AWAKE, and Founder Promoter and COO, INCITE CAM CENTRE, Bangalore; Niranjan Jain, MSME National Head and Coach, Bhartiya Jain Sanghtana, and former Chairman, National Advisory Board of MSME and Startups Forum Bharat; E Bhaskaran, Joint Director, Department of Industries and Commerce, MSME Department; Subhranshu Sanyal, CEO, Financial Inclusion Trust; and K Suryaprakash Goud, Director, National Institute of MSME.
Based on their evaluation, winners were felicitated across five categories: Wonder Woman, recognising outstanding women-led businesses making a remarkable impact; Business Maestro, for established businesses that have mastered the art of thriving and sustaining success; NewGen Icon, for a new generation of business owners innovating and paving the way for exponential growth; Tech Transformer, for businesses leveraging new technology to drive efficiency and scale; and Champion of Cause, for purpose-driven businesses contributing meaningfully to society and the environment.
With a strong focus on enabling long-term growth, Tally MSME Honours goes beyond recognition to build a thriving community of entrepreneurs. Over the years, past winners have become part of a growing network of business leaders and changemakers, gaining opportunities to participate in industry forums, leadership conversations, and ecosystem initiatives. These engagements help entrepreneurs share their journeys, build meaningful connections, and inspire the next generation of MSMEs while strengthening the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem.