deAsra’s
Dare2Dream: Dream Big, Grow Bigger!
The spotlight is on You!
The last date to complete the application form is 13 March 2025, 11:59 PM.
* sometime in the past 2 financial years & employed at least 2 more
Registrations are closed!
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SecondsEEA 2025 Dare2Dream Award Categories
Welcome to deAsra's Entrepreneur Excellence Awards (EEA) 2025! This event celebrates the spirit of entrepreneurship and recognises remarkable success. This year, we spotlight small businesses that have grown rapidly and created jobs, making a big impact on India's economy. Our prestigious awards honour outstanding achievements and support a thriving entrepreneurial community.
Recognising businesses
that have crossed ₹10 lacs in annual revenue
&
employed at least 2 more, sometime in the last two financial years.
Honouring businesses
that have crossed ₹50 lacs in annual revenue
&
employed at least 2 more, sometime in the last two financial years.
Celebrating businesses
that have crossed ₹1 crore in annual revenue
&
employed at least 2 more, sometime in the last two financial years.Questions? 
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Who Can Apply?
The EEA 2025 Dare2Dream Awards invite applications from businesses that:
- are located in India
- have achieved significant revenue milestones sometime in the last 2 financial years
- Dream10: crossed ₹10 lacs in annual revenue
- Dream50: crossed ₹50 lacs in annual revenue
- Dream100: crossed ₹1 crore in annual revenue
- have employed at least 2 more in the same period
Exciting Rewards Await!
Cash Prizes
Cash rewards for 2 businesses in each category!
Dream10
Dream50
Dream100
Featured Publicity
Featured business article in deAsra’s media platform Yashaswi Udyojak, reaching over 20 lakh readers and inspiring thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs.
Exclusive Bonus Opportunity
- 10 applicants from the Dream10 & Dream50 categories will be handpicked for deAsra’s high-impact Dare2DreamBig Growth Program.
- This is a chance to gain expert mentorship, strategic guidance, and exclusive business support to grow exponentially.
Program Highlights
- Felicitations by Dr. Anand Deshpande: Entrepreneurs will be felicitated at the hands of Dr. Anand Deshpande, Founder & Chairman of Persistent Systems and deAsra Foundation, with an exclusive opportunity to interact with him.
- Recognizing Growth & Job Creation: Celebrating businesses that have shown exceptional growth and contributed to employment generation, driving economic impact.
- Inspiring Aspiring Businesses: Encouraging emerging entrepreneurs to strive for success, innovate, and create new job opportunities.
- Introducing "Dare2Dream Big Growth Program": Launching a new initiative to support and mentor businesses at different growth stages, helping them achieve revenue goals and build sustainable success.
Jury Members
Sonali Deshpande
Chief Trustee & Chairperson, Persistent Foundation
Sonali Deshpande has teaching experience of 20 years and has led social initiatives at Persistent Foundation since 2009, focusing on entrepreneurship, education, and community development.
Seema Desai
Co-founder & Managing Director, Bitwise
Seema Desai, co-founder and MD of Bitwise, has over 30 years of experience in technology, leadership, and CSR. She leads initiatives for marginalised communities and sustainability and has received multiple awards for her contributions to entrepreneurship.
Kavita Awasthee
Founder, Poshakh
Kavita Awasthee, a fashion designer, founded Poshakh in 1996, specialising in custom ethnic wear, embroidery, and fabric painting. Sourcing fabrics from 14+ Indian states, she leads a team of 30+ artisans, promoting natural Indian textiles.
Leena Khandekar
Founder, Lee’s Beauty Centre & Spa
Leena Khandekar, a certified spa therapist and beauty entrepreneur, founded Lee’s Beauty Centre & Spa in 2002. Specialising in bridal makeup, skin treatments, and advanced beauty solutions, she also runs a training institute to mentor aspiring beauty professionals.
Sayali Rajadhyaksha
Founder, Sayali Rajadhyaksha Sarees
Sayali Rajadhyaksha Sarees, founded in 2017 by designer Sayali Rajadhyaksha, blends India’s handloom traditions with contemporary style. With a flagship Mumbai store, the brand has grown into a recognised name, attracting 3,50,000 followers and offering handcrafted sarees.
Nikhil Chitale
Managing Partner at Chitale Dairy
Nikhil Chitale, a mechanical engineer turned entrepreneur, leads Sales & Finance at the 85-year-old Chitale Group, expanding across 50+ stores. He has launched fortified dairy products and premium artisanal chocolates through BonCo. Nikhil is also an angel investor and sports enthusiast.
Nikhil Kulkarni
General Manager and Head—Incubation, Nashik Engineering Cluster
Nikhil Kulkarni, with 16+ years of computer engineering experience, is pursuing a PhD at SVNIT, Surat. He has earned multiple awards and serves as Director at NETRARIT Foundation, mentoring at ADPList and MeitY Startup Hub while actively contributing to enterprise development.
Ashwini Deshpande
Co-Founder & Director, Elephant
Ashwini Deshpande, a visual communications designer with 35+ years of experience, has led global award-winning branding projects and served as a jury member at Cannes Lions and D&AD UK. She mentors women in design, lectures globally, and is an independent director at Indigo Paints.
Arun Vartak
Banking & Financial Services Expert
Arun Vartak, with 37 years of experience in banking, financial services, and education, has held senior roles, including Assistant General Manager at SBI. His expertise includes branch management, credit processing, and financial education, and he currently serves on recruitment panels for cooperative banks.
FAQs
The EEA 2025 Dare2Dream Awards, hosted by deAsra, celebrate entrepreneurial excellence by recognising small businesses that have achieved remarkable growth and created jobs, strengthening India’s economy. This prestigious event honours outstanding business achievements and supports a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The EEA 2025 Dare2Dream Awards welcome applications from businesses located in India and have demonstrated significant growth. Eligible businesses must have crossed annual revenue milestones of ₹10 lacs (Dream10), ₹50 lacs (Dream50), or ₹1 crore (Dream100) sometime in the last two financial years and employed at least two more in the same period.
The event will be held at Pandit Bhimsen Joshi Auditorium, Persistent Systems Ltd., Hinjewadi, Pune, on 4 April 2025, starting from 4 PM onwards.
You can apply on deAsra’s website or click on the following link- (Apply Now). We only accept online applications.
The application period is from 25 February to 13 March, and the Awards Ceremony will take place on 4 April 2025.
Yes. The applications are open from 25 February to 13 March 2025.
No. To apply for the EEA 2025 Dare2Dream Awards, you must currently own a business.
Yes, you may apply for multiple businesses, provided each complies with the eligibility requirements. Please note that each application must be submitted separately, using a unique mobile number for each entry.
The submitted applications will be shortlisted and a panel of jury will select the winners.
No, there is no fee to nominate, apply, or win. Participation in the EEA 2025 Dare2Dream Awards is entirely free. We encourage all eligible businesses to apply without any concerns about fees.
deAsra Foundation (including its employees, representatives and agents (“Organiser(s)”) is the organiser of the Entrepreneur Excellence Awards 2025 (“Award(s)”). The Awards are conducted in good faith through a transparent, fair, and objective evaluation process. The Organisers retain sole and full discretion in evaluating applications, nominating, shortlisting candidates, and selecting winners. All decisions made by the Organisers in relation to the Awards, including eligibility, evaluation, selection, and dispute resolution, are final, binding, and not subject to appeal or challenge. The Organisers reserve the right to modify, postpone, or cancel the Awards at their sole discretion without prior notice.
Participation in the Awards is voluntary, and submission of an application does not guarantee selection or confer any legal rights or entitlements. The Awards are determined based on the information provided by the applicants, along with any data collected, received, and processed solely to evaluate winners. The Organisers are not responsible for any accuracy, completeness, legal, tax, or financial matters related to the information provided, nor do they engage in resolving any legal disputes or non-compliance issues involving applicants and expressly disclaim any responsibility in this regard.
The Awards and associated recognition are purely honorary in nature intended to appreciate entrepreneurs’ contributions to the Indian economy. However, they do not serve as certification, guarantees of an applicant’s business, financial standing, operational success, compliance with applicable laws, assurances, or endorsements of any obligations or liabilities on the part of the Organisers.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Organisers disclaim all warranties or representations—express or implied—regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information shared. The Organisers shall bear no liability (including liability for negligence) for any loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from the use of such information or any decisions made by the Organisers”.