CII MSME Conference 2024
At the distinguished CII MSME Conference, Saransh Chaturvedi was invited to deliver an address on a subject that lies at the very heart of India’s evolving business landscape—MSMEs, Startups, and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). His session drew attention to the growing significance of intellectual property as a driver of competitiveness, innovation, and sustainable growth, especially for small and medium enterprises and emerging startups.
In his address, Saransh emphasized that intellectual property is no longer a distant legal concept but a practical and strategic business asset. For MSMEs and startups operating in fast-paced, innovation-driven markets, IP serves as a shield that safeguards original ideas and as a lever that enhances credibility, attracts investors, and strengthens market positioning. He explained how tools such as patents, trademarks, and copyrights can be applied effectively even by smaller businesses with limited resources, and how proactive IP strategies can prevent disputes while creating opportunities for partnerships and expansion.
Saransh began by underlining the significance of MSMEs and startups as the backbone of the Indian economy, contributing to employment generation, innovation, and inclusive growth. He highlighted that while these enterprises are agile and idea-driven, they often overlook the strategic role of IPR in safeguarding their innovations. He positioned intellectual property not merely as a legal tool, but as a business asset that can enhance valuation, build investor confidence, and create long-term market advantage. Through his address, he explained how patents, trademarks, and copyrights can be tailored to meet the specific needs of MSMEs and startups. He stressed that even with limited resources, businesses can adopt a phased and practical approach to building their IP portfolios, thereby preventing disputes, protecting brand identity, and opening doors to global markets.
A key theme of his talk was the alignment of legal strategy with business goals. He emphasized that IPR must be integrated into the growth roadmap of every enterprise, especially in the age of digital markets, where ideas and innovations can be replicated overnight. By bridging the gap between legal frameworks and commercial realities, he provided actionable guidance to the participants.
He also shed light on the challenges often faced by smaller enterprises—lack of awareness, financial constraints, and the misconception that IP is relevant only to large corporations. Through real-world examples and practical insights, he encouraged entrepreneurs to adopt a forward-looking mindset, recognizing that protecting innovation at an early stage lays the foundation for sustainable growth.
The session resonated strongly with the audience, comprising entrepreneurs, policymakers, industry experts, and business leaders. Saransh’s ability to simplify complex legal frameworks while connecting them to everyday business realities made the discussion engaging and actionable. His address not only highlighted the legal dimensions of IPR but also positioned it as a catalyst for economic resilience, innovation, and global competitiveness for India’s MSMEs and start-ups. His session reinforced the message that intellectual property is not a distant requirement but a catalyst for resilience, growth, and global competitiveness in India’s entrepreneurial journey.