Vadodara to host Vibrant Gujarat Exhibition bringing together MSMEs, startups and industry leaders
Vadodara, June 23 More than 8,000 square metres of exhibition space showcasing industries, startups, artisans and entrepreneurs from across Central Gujarat will be opened to visitors in Vadodara next week as part of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference 2026, the state government announced on Tuesday.
The Vibrant Gujarat Regional Exhibition (VGRE) will be held at GSFC University in Vadodara from June 29 to July 3 alongside the two-day Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference scheduled for June 29 and 30.
The exhibition is expected to bring together micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), startups, women entrepreneurs, tribal producers, cooperatives, and major industries on a common platform to foster business partnerships, investment opportunities, and market access.
Spread across three large domes covering approximately 8,200 square metres, the exhibition will remain open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Organisers said the event is designed to facilitate interaction between businesses, buyers, investors and policymakers while highlighting the economic and industrial potential of Central Gujarat.
A Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet (RBSM) and a 'Udyami Mela' will be among the key business-focused events organised during the exhibition.
These initiatives are intended to connect MSMEs, artisans and entrepreneurs with domestic and international buyers and commercial partners.
Dedicated stalls will showcase products from Tribal Haat, women-led enterprises, award-winning artisans and startups.
The exhibition will also feature displays highlighting various government development schemes and initiatives. The exhibition has been divided into three thematic halls.
The first hall will focus on industry and corporate participation, featuring private companies, public sector undertakings and cooperative organisations.
Financial and regulatory institutions, including SEBI and MCX, will provide information on investment and financial awareness, while organisations such as GEDA and JETRO will present opportunities for domestic and international collaboration.
The second hall will be dedicated to innovation, startups and livelihoods. It will feature 25 to 27 artisans associated with iNDEXTb, more than 30 startup participants from the Gujarat Student Startup and Innovation Hub, women entrepreneurs and livelihood-based enterprises.
A Tribal Haat with more than 25 stalls will display traditional handicrafts and locally produced goods.
Institutions, including IIT Gandhinagar, will participate in a technology pavilion showcasing research-driven innovations, while the State Bank of India and Amul will present developments in financial services and the food sector, respectively.
The third hall will focus on entrepreneurship development and export opportunities.
The Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED) will organise a Udyami Mela, while the Office of the MSME Commissioner and the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), in collaboration with the Gujarat government, will host the Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet to link small businesses and artisans with global markets.
Visitors will have access to facilities including covered walkways, registration counters, help desks, medical services and a food court throughout the five-day event.
According to the state government, the conference and exhibition are intended to showcase Central Gujarat's industrial capabilities, entrepreneurial ecosystem, and innovation potential, while creating opportunities for MSMEs, startups, artisans, and emerging entrepreneurs.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Impressive scale — 8,000 sq m of exhibition space is no joke. I've seen how such regional conferences can transform local economies. Would be great if they also arrange virtual participation options for international buyers who can't travel. The Tribal Haat section sounds particularly interesting.
Finally something that focuses on women entrepreneurs and tribal producers! 🙌 But I hope the event isn't just about showcasing — there should be follow-up mentorship and funding opportunities. Also, exhibition entry fees should be kept minimal so small business owners can actually attend.
The inclusion of SEBI and MCX for financial awareness is smart — many MSMEs don't know how to access capital markets or hedge risks. The tech pavilion with IIT Gandhinagar could be a game-changer for innovation transfer. Let's hope this isn't just a photo op but leads to real business deals.
Good to see Vadodara getting its due — we have immense potential in chemicals, pharma, and textiles. But the real test will be how many of these startups and MSMEs actually get investment or export orders after the event. The government should track and publish outcomes transparently.
As someone who works with startups, I appreciate the 'Udyami Mela' concept. But I wonder about accessibility — Vadodara's heat in June is brutal. Hope they have proper AC and hydration points. Also, why only five days? Some business matches take time. Extend it to a week at least.
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