Professor of Marketing, Jawaharlal Nehru Professor of Indian Business and Enterprise, and Director, Cambridge Centre for India and Global Business, Judge Business School, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Professor, Marketing and Business Law Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, USA
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Grassroots and frugal innovation represent two complementary pathways toward sustainable development—one arising from community ingenuity and local problem-solving, and the other from systematic efforts to “do more with less.” Together, they offer transformative potential for addressing persistent challenges in health, education, agriculture, energy, water, mobility, and livelihoods across emerging economies. These innovations redefine affordability, resilience, and inclusivity by blending indigenous wisdom with frontier technologies, bridging gaps between informal creativity and structured enterprise systems.
Yet, scaling these innovations remains a complex challenge. Translating promising prototypes into viable solutions demands an enabling ecosystem—strong policy support, public digital infrastructure, inclusive and pragmatic financing mechanisms, and robust market linkages that ensure last-mile access. When these components align, innovation becomes not only affordable but also accountable, measurable, and worth investing—creating shared value for communities, enterprises, and governments alike.
In this context, emerging economies serve as the ideal base for such convergence. Rapid urbanization, fast changing demographic profiles, and growing Tier-2/3/4 markets represent fresh avenues for cost-effective and climate-smart solutions. India’s advance in the Global Innovation Index (from 81st in 2015 to 39th in 2024) shows how grassroots ingenuity and institutional innovation can intersect to drive inclusive growth. Regions endowed with rich artisanal heritage, agrobiodiversity, and cooperative enterprise networks—such as Eastern and Northeastern India—can serve as demonstration hubs for frugal innovations adaptable across other emerging economies.
This international conference will endeavour to bring together academia, policymakers, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, financiers, and development practitioners to explore how grassroots and frugal innovation can catalyze sustainable transitions. The forum aims to enable dialogue across multiple sectors, find scalable models, and explore actionable frameworks through scholarly presentations, keynotes, panels, workshops, and innovation showcases. The outcome will be consolidated into an SDG-aligned post-conference action note, outlining pathways for investment, policy recommendations, and collaboration across borders.
The invitees comprise industry and academic experts, innovation practitioners, and representatives from regulatory and development institutions—together forming an ideal platform for knowledge exchange and shared learning with stakeholders from grassroots communities, climate-smart agroeconomy, MSMEs, regional clusters, cooperatives, FPOs, and SHGs across emerging economies.
We welcome original contributions from scholars, practitioners, and thought leaders in the disciplines represented across the conference tracks, as well as from associated business functions related to these domains—including marketing, human resources, finance, operations, IT, strategy, and governance.
Affordable solutions and business models in healthcare, education, water, energy, mobility, and other social infrastructure.
Innovation in public digital infrastructure, AI/GenAI, IoT, blockchain, FinTech, and digital aggregators.
Research and practices in agrotech, post-harvest systems, market access, nutrition security, regenerative farming, fisheries, timber, and non-timber forest produce (NTFPs), and bioeconomy solutions.
Initiatives for cluster upgradation, artisan ecosystem strengthening, manufacturing modernization, export readiness, and value-added innovation through cooperatives, FPOs, SHGs, social enterprises, and community-based producer networks.
Solutions in affordable housing, WASH (water, sanitation & hygiene), energy production and distribution, mobility, waste-to-value systems, and resilient city—village linkages promoting circular and inclusive development.
Deliberations on policy design, public procurement & delivery standards, regulations, catalytic/blended finance, impact measurement, cross-border collaborations, and cross-border partnerships.
Submissions in the following categories are invited in the aforementioned tracks.
Unpublished Manuscripts—original, unpublished research (empirical studies, field experiments, case/practice notes, value-driven decision frameworks, patents, policy ideas, and promising prototypes.
Who Can Submit: Academics, researchers, doctoral scholars, industry professionals, policymakers, and practitioners engaged in innovation, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and development studies.
Who Can Submit: Early-stage researchers, students, innovators, and practitioners working on ideation, prototypes, field experiments, conceptual models, or design-led solutions aligned with the conference theme.
Category 4: High-Fidelity Prototype / Product Demonstration (As entries for B-HIVE Grassroots & Frugal Innovation Awards)
Who Can Participate
Innovators, startups, incubators, student teams, research labs, and enterprises developing high-fidelity prototypes, minimum viable products (MVPs), or market-ready solutions aligned with the conference theme and sub-themes.
Demonstration Format
Evaluation Criteria
Demonstrations will be assessed on novelty, functionality, user impact, frugality and sustainability, design quality, and potential for scalability and commercialization.
All submissions should be uploaded via the conference submission portal
For New Submissions and Registration: https://forms.gle/WRjYtjjSLG5GJW3Y7
(Earlier Submission Portal): https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=gfi2026
For queries, please feel free to contact: intl.conference@bgu.ac.in, Mob: +91 8327723200
| Sl. No. | Award & Recognition | Submission Category | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best Paper Awards | Unpublished Manuscripts |
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| 2 | Scholarly Impact Showcase | Published Articles |
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| 3 | Best Poster Awards | Poster Presentation |
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| Award Categories | Who Can Apply | Recognition & Opportunities |
|---|---|---|
| Best Innovation Award |
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| Emerging Innovator Award | ||
| Grassroots Innovator Award | ||
| Women Innovator Award | ||
| Social Impact Innovation Award | ||
| Sustainability & Circular Innovation Award |
Note:
Visit the [conference website] for detailed information on abstract/paper submissions, awards & recognitions, and the call for nominations for Innovation awards guidelines.
Pre-conference Events on March 11, 2026
| Time | Session | Venue | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.30 AM - 10.15 AM | Registration & Breakfast | Reception Area and Cafeteria | |
| 10.00 AM - 11.30 AM | Conference Inauguration |
Prof S. P. Raj, Center Director – Earl V. Snyder Innovation Management Center, Syracuse University, NY Prof. Gautam, Vice-Chancellor, MU University, Nepal Prof. Anand Kr Jaiswal, Professor of Marketing IIM Ahmedabad Smt. Anu Garg, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Odisha (Requested) ) Prof Kulbhushan Balooni, Vice Chancellor, Birla Global University Dr. Suvendu Kr Pratihari, Conference Chairperson |
Seminar Hall |
| 11.30 AM – 11.45 AM | High Tea | Activity Plaza | |
| 11.45 AM – 1.30 PM | Panel Discussion 1 |
Topic : Scaling Grassroots and Frugal Innovation for Inclusive and Sustainable Development Panel Speaker :
Prof S. P. Raj, Center Director – Earl V. Snyder Innovation Management Center, Syracuse University, NY |
Seminar Hall |
| 1.30 PM - 2.30 PM | Networking Lunch | Cafeteria | |
| 2.30 PM - 3.30 PM | Parallel Technical Sessions 1 & 2 | Seminar Hall & CR 1 | |
| 3.30 PM - 3.45 PM | High Tea | Activity Plaza | |
| 3.45 PM - 4.05 PM | Keynote Speaker | Professor Jaideep Prabhu, Professor of Marketing, Jawaharlal Nehru Professor of Indian Business and Enterprise, and Director, Cambridge Centre for India and Global Business, Judge Business School, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom | Seminar Hall |
| 4.05 PM - 5.30 PM | Panel Discussion 2 |
Topic : Climate Smart Argo Economy: The Way Ahead Moderator : Shri Jagadananda, Co-Founder & Member Secretary, CYSD |
Seminar Hall |
| 5.30 PM - 6.00 PM | Keynote Speaker | Prof. Madhubalan Viswanathan, Professor, Marketing and Business Law Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, USA | Seminar Hall |
| 5.30 PM - 7.00 PM | Cultural Program | Open Air Performance | |
| 7.00 PM Onward | Dinner with Open Networking | BGU Courtyard | |
| Day 2 – March 13, 2026 (Friday) | |||
| 10.00 AM - 11.30 AM | Parallel Technical Sessions 1 & 2 | Seminar Hall & CR 1 | |
| 11.30 AM - 11.45 AM | Tea Break | Activity Plaza | |
| 11.45 AM - 1.15 PM | Panel Discussion 3 |
Topic : Innovation Ecosystems for Public Value Panel Keynote Speaker : Prof. Madhubalan Viswanathan, Professor, Marketing and Business Law Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, USA Speakers:
|
Seminar Hall |
| 1.30 PM - 2.30 PM | Lunch Break | Faculty Mess | |
| 2.30 PM - 4.00 PM | Conference Valediction |
Best Paper Award and Prize Distribution B-HIVE Innovation Award |
Seminar Hall |
| Day 3 – March 14, 2026 (Saturday) | |||
| 8.00 AM - 7.00 PM | Excursion for Delegates & Participants | Puri – Konark – Raghurajpur – Dhauli / Chilika Lake | - |
Innovation Showcasing by Scholars, startups, Grassroot Innovators, Incubators etc.
| Category | India (INR) | Abroad (USD) | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presenters from Industry / Corporate / Startup / Govt / PSU | ₹ 5,000 | $ 200 |
|
| Presenters from NGO, Incubatee | ₹ 3,000 | $ 100 | |
| Faculty & Post-Doctoral Researchers – Presenter |
Early bird: ₹ 3,000 Regular: ₹ 4,000 |
$ 100 | |
| Research Scholars & Students – Presenter |
Early bird: ₹ 1,500 Regular: ₹ 2,000 |
$ 100 | |
| Poster slot; access to all sessions; conference kit; lunches, dinner, tea/coffee; and certificates. |
Early bird: ₹ 1,500 Regular: 12,000 |
$ 100 | Kiosk space (one table, two chairs, banner provision); conference kit; certificates; 2 volunteer support from the organizer; travel to Chilika Lake/Puri sponsored by the Organizer |
| Participation (no presentation) | ₹1,500 | $ 100 | Access to all sessions; conference kit; lunches, dinner, tea/coffee; and certificates. |
Innovation Showcase Exhibitors (Individual/ Group/ Institutional)
Scope: Prototype Demonstration (High-Fidelity); Products Demonstrating Grassroots and Frugal Innovations in practice etc. Exhibitors in this category may apply for the B-HIVE Innovation Awards.
| Who Can participate | Registration Fees | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
|
Type 1:India Early Bird: ₹10,000 Regular: ₹15,000 Abroad Early Bird: $300 Regular: $350 Type 2 :India Early Bird: ₹3,000 Regular: ₹5,000 Abroad Early Bird: $150 Regular: $200 |
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The B-HIVE Birla Hub for Innovation, Venturing, and Entrepreneurship at Birla Global University fosters a startup-ready ecosystem that supports entrepreneurs across the venture lifecycle—from ideation and validation to incubation, acceleration, and early scale-up. B-HIVE enables impactful grassroots and frugal innovations to scale, with a strong focus on women-led and socially relevant enterprises. Aligned with Make in India, Startup India, and Startup Odisha, B-HIVE seeks to strengthen Odisha’s and India’s innovation ecosystem by building an inclusive and resilient entrepreneurial hub that empowers innovators, supports venture creation, and expands collaborative networks across academia, industry, policymakers, and grassroots communities.
The Birla School of Management (BSoM) at Birla Global University, Bhubaneswar, is built on a rigorous academic foundation and strong industry linkages. Guided by its vision to pursue excellence in management education and foster innovation and entrepreneurship while nurturing socially responsible leaders, BSoM advances its mission through international collaborations, high-quality teaching and research, social responsibility, diversity and inclusion, and the development of an entrepreneurial mindset. Through labs, live projects, and corporate mentorship, the School prepares undergraduate and postgraduate students to lead, innovate, and create measurable value for industry and society. BSoM currently offers a two-year full-time MBA (Dual Specialization), an MBA in Business Analytics co-delivered with KPMG, and a four-year BBA, in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Birla Global University (BGU), established in 2015 under the Birla Global University Odisha Act, is governed by a Board of Governors chaired by Smt. Jayashree Mohta, with the Honorable Governor of Odisha as its Chancellor. Guided by its vision to create and disseminate knowledge globally through excellence, innovation, and inclusiveness, BGU delivers high-quality, future-ready education supported by strong faculty, modern infrastructure, and industry linkages.
The University emphasizes ethical leadership, global competence, interdisciplinary learning, social responsibility, and an inclusive academic culture. With its focus on research, experiential learning, and innovation-driven education, BGU prepares students to contribute meaningfully to society while strengthening Odisha’s presence in the national higher-education landscape. BGU comprises seven schools—Management, Communication, Commerce, Economics, Law, Applied Sciences, and Engineering & Technology, advancing its commitment to academic excellence and holistic development. Website: www.bgu.ac.in
The Earl V. Snyder Innovation Management Center advances research and practice in market-focused, customer-driven innovation at Syracuse University’s Martin J. Whitman School of Management. Endowed in 1993 through a bequest by alumna Josephine Snyder (’29) in honor of her husband, Earl, the Center is housed in Whitman’s Marketing area and supports scholarship, executive engagement, and student learning around marketing innovation, digital transformation, new product development, and innovation in emerging economies such as India. The Center’s mission aligns with Whitman’s emphasis on rigor with relevance, translating cutting-edge insights into tools that improve innovation performance in technology, industrial, and consumer markets. Website: https://snyder.syracuse.edu/
Mid-West University (MU) is a public, autonomous institution of higher education situated in Birendranagar, Surkhet, the administrative hub of Karnali Province, Nepal. The university plays a crucial role in advancing educational opportunities and fostering socio-economic development. MU comprises seven faculties (Management, Humanities and Social Sciences, Education, Science and Technology, Engineering, Law, and Agriculture and Forestry), offering programs from undergraduate to doctoral levels. With academic units distributed across Karnali, Lumbini, and Bagmati Provinces, the university demonstrates a steadfast commitment to expanding access to higher education, particularly for rural, vulnerable, and minority communities. Guided by its vision to become a center of academic excellence in teaching and research, MU endeavors to extend the reach and impact of quality higher education. Its mission underscores the importance of fostering transformation, innovation, and sustainable development for both the regional community and the global society. Website: http://www.mu.edu.np/
| Place | Highlights | Approx Distance from Bhubaneswar |
|---|---|---|
| Puri | Shri Jagannath Temple, Gundicha Temple, Puri Seabeach | 60 km |
| Konark | Sun Temple (World Heritage), architectural marvel, and Chandrabhaga Seabeach | 65 Km |
| Chilika | Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon, bird watching, island visits (Nalabana), dolphin spotting | 65 km |
| Raghurajpur | Heritage arts village (Pattachitra Painting and crafts) | 55 km |
| Dhauli | The edicts & rock—Ashokan site, peace pagoda, scenic river views | 10 km |
