Regional Immersion | FMB batch 37 | Surat

Known for turning opportunity into enterprise, Surat stands as a symbol of India’s entrepreneurial spirit. It was here that FMB 37 embarked on a three-day Regional Immersion on the 14th, 15th, and 16th of December, 2025 which is an extended contact programme designed for participants to explore local businesses through industry visits, engage with alumni from Surat and in the vicinity, develop meaningful connections, and identify probable opportunities for their family businesses.

Designed as an extended contact programme, the immersion invited participants to step into Surat’s vibrant business ecosystem, engaging with local industries, reconnecting with alumni, and uncovering possibilities for their own family enterprises.

The immersion opened with IGNITE – where conversations spark, a dynamic rotating-table dialogue with Surat-based alumni. In small, focused groups, participants discussed real business challenges and regional nuances, while alumni rotated across tables, offering diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and actionable insights. The format ensured every conversation added a new layer of understanding.

Industry engagement took centre stage on day two with visits to alumni-led enterprises—Navitas Green Solutions, a solar panel manufacturing firm, and Dodhia Synthetics, a pioneer in PET bottle recycling and yarn manufacturing. The day concluded with Surat Unlocked – the fireside chat, where business leaders shared candid reflections on building, sustaining, and scaling ventures in a rapidly evolving environment.

The final day broadened perspectives further with visits to Heatex Group and Magicrete Building Solutions, exposing participants to advanced manufacturing, sustainability-driven innovation, and the future of construction technology.

More than a city visit, the Surat Regional Immersion was a journey into how emerging business hubs create value—through collaboration, foresight, and community. As participants returned, they carried with them not just insights, but renewed conviction that opportunity often lies where enterprise quietly thrives.

Participant reflections

Participants described key aha moments across visits—recognising automation as a strategic investment rather than a cost and understanding how standardisation can enhance flexibility and scale. Exposure to integrated value chains and backward integration highlighted the importance of control over quality, cost, and consistency. Many reflected on the need to move from experience-based decisions to data-backed processes, break departmental silos, and shift from short-term fixes to long-term operational efficiency. A recurring takeaway was clear: sustainable growth is built through systems, domain depth, and a culture of continuous improvement.