Events@IIMB
Book Launch: Atypical Strategy: Redefining Leadership in a Changing World
Prof. Prateek Raj, University College London (UCL), launched his book âAtypical: Five Strategy Rules for a New Worldâ at IIM Bangalore on 28 February 2025. Conceived during his time at IIMB while leading a course on Strategic Stewardship, the book explores unconventional approaches to strategy in a world disrupted by technological shifts, geopolitical changes, and the rise of ethical capitalism.
Prof. Prateek emphasized that effective strategy isnât normative but functional, urging leaders to listen to atypical stakeholdersâmarginalized communities, frontline workers, and unconventional collaboratorsâto drive innovation. The event featured insights from IIMB Director Prof. Rishikesha T. Krishnan, Prof. Trilochan Sastry, and Prof. Manaswini Bhalla, who highlighted the importance of empathy and experimentation in redefining strategic frameworks.
Dedicated to late Strategy faculty Prof. Ganesh N. Prabhu, Atypical challenges traditional management ideologies and calls for leaders to rethink not just how they strategize, but what they consider valuable. Prof. Rajâs message is clear: the future belongs to those who listen to the unheard.
Prayaas Empowers Lives with Free Prosthetic Limb Camp
Prayaas, the social responsibility initiative led by IIM Bangaloreâs Executive Post Graduate Programme in Management (EPGP) and supported by Post Graduate Programme in Enterprise Management (PGPEM) students, organized a free prosthetic limb donation camp on 9 February 2025, in partnership with Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (Jaipur Foot). Held at the IIMB campus on 9 February 2025, the camp provided custom-fitted prosthetic limbs to 17 Below Poverty Line (BPL) beneficiaries, helping them regain mobility and independence.
Aligned with Prayaasâ 2025 theme of Educate, Empower, and Self-Reliance, the initiative went beyond mobility by offering training on the use of prosthetics, enabling beneficiaries to lead more independent lives and support their families. One of the beneficiaries expressed heartfelt gratitude, saying, âI had lost hope of walking again, but today, I feel like I have been given a new lease on life.â
This impactful effort reflects IIMBâs ongoing commitment to creating a positive social impact and empowering marginalized communities.
Zerodhaâs Journey: Balancing Growth with Ethics
At an exclusive fireside chat hosted by the Centre for Capital Markets and Risk Assessment (CCMRM) and NetWorth, the student-run finance club at IIM Bangalore, on 25 February 2025, Nithin Kamath, co-founder and CEO of Zerodha & Rainmatter, reflected on his 15-year journey of building Indiaâs largest stock brokerage.
In a conversation with Dr. Venkatesh Panchapagesan from the Finance and Accounting area, Nithin offered candid insights into Zerodhaâs ethos, emphasizing its unwavering commitment to customer-first investing and exercising restraint in a sector often driven by aggressive scaling. âWe fought hard to ensure that we donât enable greed with Zerodha,â he remarked, highlighting the companyâs focus on ethical growth and regulatory foresight.
Nithin underscored Zerodhaâs success as a bootstrapped outlier, navigating Indiaâs dynamic financial landscape while maintaining a philosophy that prioritizes long-term value over short-term gains. His story serves as a testament to building a sustainable business model that blends innovation with integrity.
Software Product Management Summit 2025
Delivering the keynote address at the Software Product Management (SPM) Summit hosted by IIM Bangalore on 28 February and 01 March 2025, Dr. S Somanath, Former Director of ISRO, highlighted how software development has been a cornerstone of Indiaâs space success. He emphasized that ISROâs software systems, built entirely in-house by its scientists across domains, ensure accuracy, security, and scientific rigor.
Dr. Somanath explained that ISROâs software journey goes beyond coding, translating raw scientific data into actionable intelligence. He noted that ISRO is now focusing on commercializing these technologies to benefit Indian institutions and industries.
The event also featured a panel on âDisruptive Innovations: How Emerging Technologies are Reshaping Tradition,â with industry leaders discussing challenges such as regulatory alignment and market readiness. Additionally, Wg Cdr. Rakesh Sharma, Indiaâs first astronaut, reflected on his space journey, advocating for global collaboration and shared responsibility in protecting Earth.
Since its inception in 2019, the India SPM Summit has brought together academics, industry leaders, and professionals to advance Software Product Management (SPM) excellence through keynotes, workshops, and discussions.
