Beyond the classroom: PGPFMB Batch 39’s regional immersion into Jaipur’s thriving business landscape

Three days. One city. Diverse perspectives on building, growing and sustaining businesses.

Known for its rich heritage, entrepreneurial spirit and generations of thriving family enterprises, Jaipur provided an ideal setting for the regional immersion of SPJIMR’s Post Graduate Programme in Family Managed Business (PGPFMB) Batch 39.

Organised by the Centre for Family Business & Entrepreneurship (CFBE), the immersion took participants beyond the classroom to engage with entrepreneurs, industry leaders and alumni, offering firsthand insights into innovation, resilience, operational excellence and the scaling and sustaining of family business legacies.

Day 1 featured a fireside chat with Mr. Anurag Jain, COO and Co-founder, GirnarSoft and CarDekho Group, on “From Idea to Moat: Building a Business That Stands Apart“ moderated by Prof. Tulsi Jayakumar, Executive Director, Centre for Family Business and Entrepreneurship (CFBE). Drawing from his entrepreneurial journey, Mr. Jain shared how building a business from a Tier 2 city like Jaipur offered unique advantages, including access to young talent, cost efficiencies and strong community connections. He emphasised the importance of pursuing sustainable growth rather than simply chasing numbers. The discussion also explored CarDekho’s competitive moat, built through customer-centricity, dealer relationships, technology and proprietary data. His perspectives on embracing AI, nurturing organisational culture and viewing failures as opportunities to learn offered valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs.

The learning continued with an interactive session with members of the Federation of Rajasthan Trade and Industry (FORTI) including Mr. Prashant Sharma, Mr. Gaurav Modi, Mr. Surjaram Meel and Mr. Vinod Gupta. The session introduced participants to Rajasthan’s evolving business landscape, government policies supporting MSMEs and emerging opportunities across industries. It also highlighted the value of building regional networks and exploring business possibilities beyond familiar markets.

The second day offered contrasting yet equally enriching industry experiences. At Jaipur Rugs, participants witnessed how traditional craftsmanship, community empowerment and social entrepreneurship can come together to create a globally recognised enterprise. The visit demonstrated how businesses can achieve scale while preserving their roots and creating meaningful social impact. The next visit to NBC Bearings, a leading Indian bearing manufacturer, provided insights into large-scale manufacturing, operational efficiencies, quality standards and the importance of continuous improvement in building a competitive industrial enterprise.

The evening brought another perspective through a fireside chat on “Resilience and Overcoming Adversities” with Mr. S. D. Sharma, Chairman & Managing Director, Shivakriti International Ltd and his son, Mr. Aditya Awasthi, Whole-Time Director, Shivakriti International Ltd & PGPFMB Batch 13 alumnus. Their intergenerational conversation highlighted how humility, perseverance and hard work shaped Shivakriti’s journey. Aditya’s reflections on stepping into the shoes of an accomplished predecessor resonated with participants, reinforcing that carrying a family business legacy forward requires both responsibility and the courage to evolve.

The final day began with an industry visit to Genus Power Infrastructures Ltd., accompanied by its Joint Managing Director and our PGPFMB batch 02 alumnus, Mr. Jitendra Agarwal. The interaction emphasised the importance of seeking external expertise, remaining open to new perspectives and maintaining a long-term vision. Participants gained insights into how these principles contributed to the company’s growth and its continued pursuit of greater milestones.

The immersion concluded with IGNITE Jaipur | Alumni × PGPFMB Batch 39, convening alumni and young family business scions for engaging discussions around real-world business scenarios, challenges and decision-making. The exchange of experiences and fresh perspectives created a valuable learning environment, reinforcing the strength of the SPJIMR PGPFMB alumni network and the importance of cross-generational learning.

From technology-led entrepreneurship and purpose-driven businesses to manufacturing excellence and multigenerational leadership, Jaipur offered participants a rich spectrum of business experiences. While every entrepreneurial journey was different, the underlying lessons were remarkably similar: stay grounded, embrace innovation, think long-term and remain resilient in the face of change.

For PGPFMB Batch 39, the Jaipur Regional Immersion was more than a series of industry visits and interactions. It was an opportunity to challenge perspectives, build meaningful connections and understand the people, decisions and values behind enduring enterprises. Some of the most valuable lessons in family business are learned not just in classrooms, but through the journeys of those who build, lead and sustain them.