BW Future of Design Summit & Awards 2026
The last few years have underscored the need for us to become self-reliant by reducing import dependence, strengthening manufacturing, and enhancing our digital infrastructure. We have the advantage of a young population; by focusing on skilling and education, we can get them ready for a nation on the path of progress. The Future of Design Summit 2026 brings together leaders who draw on their work and experience of designing for a self-reliant India. At the conference, we highlight innovations and future trends of this fast-growing sector.
The awards recognise and felicitate the best prototypes and finished designs. This exclusive event, curated by us, will showcase products from across various industries that touch human lives and make them future-ready.
Future of Design 2026
Nominations Closed
Thank you for your interest in the Future of Design 2026.
Our speakers
Performing Artist
Devika Rajgor
Performing Artist
With 20 years of expertise in classical dance, Devika Rajgor is a dedicated Bharatanatyam teacher and performer. Trained by Guru Dr. Nandhini Ashok, she brings emotion and culture to life on stage, allowing the audience to experience the divine nature of this dance form.
Devika teaches at Avabai Petit Girls’ High School, where the techniques of Bharatanatyam have helped students connect with Indian culture and improve their focus.
She has performed at Lakme Fashion Week for the Navdhara Khadi show, the Golden Girls Awards ceremony organized by the Jewellers Association, the Unimo Power Women Summit Awards, the Glam Connect Summit, and at the Siddhivinayak and ISKCON temples, among others.
Classical DanceBharatanatyam
The Future of Design
The Future of Design Summit & Awards 2026
Morning Session
9:15 AM
Registration
9:50 AM
Welcome to the Future of Design Summit & Awards 2026
10:00 AM
Opening Address
Dr. Annurag Batra, Chairman & Editor-in-Chief BW Businessworld
10:15 AM
Designing for a Self-Reliant India
Jyotsna Sharma, Deputy Editor, BW Businessworld
10:30 AM
Aesthetics & Design
Gaurav Sanghavi, Co-Founder & Principal Architect, Pentaspace Design Studio
11:00 AM
Panel Discussion Designing for Tomorrow: Reuse, Repair & Regeneration
Amit Porwal, Founder & Principal Designer, IPIPL
Kruti Sheth, Co-founder & Interior Designer, A&K Design Studio
Chintan Patel, Co-Founder, Alloy Design Studio
Sachin Gupta, Founder & Principal Designer, Beyond Designs
Moderator: Jyotsna Sharma, Deputy Editor, BW Businessworld
Kruti Sheth, Co-founder & Interior Designer, A&K Design Studio
Chintan Patel, Co-Founder, Alloy Design Studio
Sachin Gupta, Founder & Principal Designer, Beyond Designs
Moderator: Jyotsna Sharma, Deputy Editor, BW Businessworld
11:30 AM
Designing Impactful Brands
Arnab Ray, Executive Creative Director, Landor.
V. Sunil, Design Thinker, Brand Architect, Co-founder, Motherland and Founding Trustee, Kochi Biennale Foundation.
Prof. Pradyumna Vyas, President, the World Design Organisation (WDO)
Moderator: Noor Fathima Warsia, Group Editorial Director, BW Businessworld
V. Sunil, Design Thinker, Brand Architect, Co-founder, Motherland and Founding Trustee, Kochi Biennale Foundation.
Prof. Pradyumna Vyas, President, the World Design Organisation (WDO)
Moderator: Noor Fathima Warsia, Group Editorial Director, BW Businessworld
12:00 PM
Panel Discussion Rethinking Design Education
Abir Aich, Executive Vice President, Technical M&E, Aptech Ltd.
Prof. Shalini Gupta, Dean, School of Complete Professionals, Life Design Studio, AI Studio, Pearl Academy
Dr. Arundhati Guha Thakurta, Associate Dean, SVKM’s NMIMS School of Design
Prof. Dr. Milind M Dhobley, Director, School of Design, Dr. D Y Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune
Moderator: Jyotsna Sharma, Deputy Editor, BW Businessworld
Prof. Shalini Gupta, Dean, School of Complete Professionals, Life Design Studio, AI Studio, Pearl Academy
Dr. Arundhati Guha Thakurta, Associate Dean, SVKM’s NMIMS School of Design
Prof. Dr. Milind M Dhobley, Director, School of Design, Dr. D Y Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune
Moderator: Jyotsna Sharma, Deputy Editor, BW Businessworld
12:30 PM
Design for a Better Tomorrow
Niharika Joshi, Founder & CMO, Cumin Co.
1:00 PM
Networking Lunch
1:55 PM
Musical Performance
Afternoon & Evening Session
2:00 PM
Designing Spaces
Nilesh Dongre, Edifice Consultants
2:20 PM
Beyond the Classroom: Educating for the Future
Nirvaan Birla, Managing Director, Birla Open Minds
2:50 PM
Innovation by Design
Venkatesh Vijayaraghavan, MD & CEO, TTK Prestige
3:20 PM
Crafting Luxury
Anjali Goel, Founder & Creative Director, ANCA
3:50 PM
The Design of Precision
Mahendra Chauhan, head of Design, Watches, Wearables & Accessories, Titan Company Ltd.
4:20 PM
Beyond the Car: Designing the Future of Mobility
Ajay Jain, Head of Design Studio, Tata Motors
4:40 PM
From Luxury to Legacy
Sunny Chandiramani, Director, Client Relations AstaGuru Auction House
5:00 PM
When Brands Become Culture
Geet Nazir, MD, Landor
5:30 PM
Designing in the Age of AI
Mohan Krishnaraj, Global Head Design, Product & Studios, Cognizant Moment
6:00 PM
Storytelling in Cinema
Vijay Varma, Actor in conversation with Dr. Annurag Batra, Chairman & Editor-In-Chief, BW Businessworld
6:30 PM
AI & Good Design
Preeti Vyas, Chairwoman & Founder, Vyas Giannetti Creative in Conversation with Ruhail Amin, Sr. Editor, BW Businessworld
7:00 PM
Musical Performance
7:10 PM
Introduction to The Future of Design Awards 2026
7:20 PM
The Future of Design Awards
Prof. Pradyumna Vyas, President, the World Design Organisation (WDO)
7:30 PM
The Future of Design Awards 2026
Award Ceremony
8:00 PM
Networking Dinner
The Future of Design Summit & Awards 2026
Delegate Registration
OUR ESTEEMED Jury
Awards Categories
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- Architecture
- Interior
- Landscape Design
- Urban Design
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Gadgets
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AI design
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UI/UX design
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App/ Web design
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Robotics
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Special Effects
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Animation
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Short Films
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Partners
Event Location
MUMBAI.
Where India’s design heritage meets the ideas shaping its future.
18
SEPTEMBER 2026Friday · Mumbai, Maharashtra
Venue
Novotel Mumbai International Airport
Venue LocationNovotel Mumbai International Airport
Mumbai · 2026
Contact US
For Nominations
Kuldeep Prajapati, Community Outreach Associate,
BW Businessworld
Kuldeep.prajapati@businessworld.in
+91 98738 22794 | 96698 60757
For Speaking Opportunities and
General Enquiries:
Jyotsna Sharma, Deputy Editor, BW Businessworld
jyotsna@businessworld.in