What Becomes Possible When We See Through the Founder’s Lens? TEDxIIBS 2026

What if we could understand a familiar challenge differently? That question sat at the heart of TEDxIIBS 2026, hosted by the International Institute of Business Studies (IIBS), Bengaluru, at its Airport Campus on 17 October.

The theme, “The Founder’s Lens – Seeing What Others Don’t,” invited people to look past the obvious. A founder’s way of seeing can begin with noticing an overlooked opportunity. It can also mean questioning an accepted idea, listening to a different experience or imagining a better response to a real need.

A Wider View of Innovation

The event brought together 10 speakers whose work spans education, entrepreneurship, social activism, agriculture, science, public service and corporate leadership. Their varied paths gave the theme a wider meaning: fresh thinking can take root in many fields, wherever people are willing to examine a problem closely.

Dr. Jay Prakash, Chairman, educationist, business coach and venture capitalist, brought experience in education and leadership. Dr. Tripuraneni Jaggaiah, Director and Principal of IIBS Bengaluru, represented academic leadership. The program also featured entrepreneur Vivek Mishra, Founder, Director and CEO of Fibroheal Woundcare Pvt. Ltd., whose work focuses on healthcare innovation and biomaterial applications.

Other speakers work on questions that shape communities and everyday life. Transgender rights activist and author Dr. Akkai Padmashali founded Ondede and the Akkai Center for Learning. Natural farmer and activist P. Jayachandra Sharma is associated with the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha. Their work highlights inclusion, farmers’ rights, and sustainable agriculture.

The program also included Mohin Mohammed, Global Talent Attraction and Program Manager at Finastra; Prof. Dr. Pasupuleti Visweswara Rao, Group Director at Sambhram Group of Institutions and Adjunct Professor at Taylor’s University, Malaysia; and former Karnataka Director General and Inspector General of Police Shri Shankar Bidari.

Shreya Krishnan, Managing Director of AnitaB.org India, and Suchika Ghosh, Assistant Vice President – HR Delivery at State Street, Bengaluru, added experience in corporate leadership, inclusion, human resources and professional development.

Ideas That Continue Beyond the Stage

For students, hearing from people across these fields offered a chance to connect classroom learning with the questions professionals and communities face. The event also created space to consider how leadership, research and creativity can contribute to practical change.

IIBS Bengaluru TEDxIIBS 2026 leaves a useful thought for our management students beginning a new journey: sometimes progress starts with a different question. And sometimes, seeing what others miss begins with taking the time to look again.