For entrepreneurs and business professionals, building a business often involves more than having a good product or service. Finding the right people, learning from others, getting introduced to new markets and having access to trusted business networks can play an equally important role in the journey.
It was around this idea that RMBF Kolkata brought together over 200 entrepreneurs, business leaders, professionals and members of the fellowship at The Saturday Club, Kolkata, for the RMBF Kolkata East India Summit 2.0 2026.
The summit provided participants with an opportunity to meet people from different industries and regions, understand how other businesses operate, exchange experiences and explore potential areas of collaboration. For many entrepreneurs, such interactions can offer something that is difficult to find in day-to-day business—a wider network of people who can share knowledge, make introductions, offer perspectives and potentially open doors to new opportunities.
Speaking at the RMBF Kolkata East India Summit 2.0 2026, West Bengal Industry Minister Shri Tapas Roy said: “Rotarians from across the country are here today at the Rotary Means Business Fellowship Kolkata East India Summit. I appreciate the initiative of RMBF Kolkata in bringing together entrepreneurs, business leaders and professionals from across the country on one platform.
For the last five decades, this important area has not received the attention it deserves. As the new Industry Minister, I have to begin from the ground up.
We are preparing a new industrial policy, land policy and the land bank. We are committed to creating a more supportive environment for industries and entrepreneurs.
Over the last two and a half months, we have seen encouraging interest from industrialists and entrepreneurs from India and abroad. Representatives from countries such as Japan, the United States, Dubai, Ireland, Australia and Germany, including companies like Mitsubishi, have visited our office and discussed opportunities for business and investment in Bengal.
This is a positive indication that something significant is going to happen in Bengal after a long period of industrial slowdown.
We now want the government and the business community to work together as partners in Bengal’s growth. We welcome your advice, suggestions and look forward to your continued support in building a stronger and more prosperous Bengal.”
Speaking about the possibilities that can emerge from such relationships, Rotarian Arvind Batra, World Chair, RMB Fellowship International, said: “Your next opportunity may be one connection away.”
That idea was reflected in the format of the summit, which moved beyond traditional networking. One-to-one interactions, roundtable discussions and speed networking gave participants structured opportunities to talk about their businesses, understand each other’s work and identify areas where they could help or work with one another.
For RMBF Kolkata Chapter Chair Mr. Kaushik Sen, the value of such a network ultimately comes down to the relationships that are built within it.
“Business grows where relationships grow, and trust is the currency of networking.”
For entrepreneurs, particularly those looking to expand, enter new markets or build their businesses through referrals and partnerships, a trusted professional network can provide access to knowledge and connections that may otherwise take years to develop. The objective of RMBF Kolkata is to create a platform where such relationships can develop organically, while encouraging members to support one another through business knowledge, introductions and shared experiences.
The summit also focused on another important element of business growth—building a strong brand. A key session by Dr. Sanjay Arora, a 14-time TEDx speaker with over 37 years of experience in branding and marketing, explored “Build Your Brand to Build Mega Profits.” The session offered entrepreneurs insights into positioning their businesses, creating differentiation and using branding as a tool for long-term growth.
The gathering also brought together professionals at different stages of their business journeys—from established entrepreneurs and business leaders to professionals looking to expand their networks and explore new possibilities. This cross-section of experience allowed participants to learn not only from speakers, but also from one another.
For RMBF Kolkata, the summit came as the chapter celebrated the completion of 10 years of its journey on August 9, 2026. Over the past decade, its focus has been on creating a business community where professionals can meet, exchange knowledge, develop trusted relationships and help one another grow.
The East India Summit 2.0 was an extension of that effort, with the emphasis firmly on the people and the opportunities that can emerge when they are brought together.
For an entrepreneur, a new connection could mean a potential client. It could be a mentor, a supplier, a business partner, an introduction to another market—or simply someone who has already faced a challenge they are now facing.
And that is perhaps the most practical takeaway from the summit: business growth does not always begin with a big investment or a major strategy. Sometimes, it begins with meeting the right person and starting a conversation.
