Gen Next Inc: Where Legacy Meets Innovation in Indian Business
India’s top business families are proving that legacy and innovation can go hand in hand — and the next generation is stepping up to lead with bold new ideas.
At the Entrepreneur India 2025 Summit in Delhi, heirs of iconic conglomerates like The LaLiT Suri Group, Berger Paints, and the Inox GFL Group came together to share how they’re modernizing traditional businesses in a fast-changing economic landscape.
Their stories offered a rare glimpse into what it really takes to carry forward a powerful legacy while staying relevant, agile, and future-ready in today’s competitive environment.
Family Businesses Power 79% of India’s GDP
According to a recent report by HSBC Global Private Banking, family-owned businesses contribute around 79% of India’s GDP. That’s not just impressive — it’s a defining feature of the Indian economy.
But sustaining success across generations isn’t easy. These next-gen leaders are rewriting the playbook by blending tradition with transformation, loyalty with leadership, and experience with experimentation.
The LaLiT Suri Group: Luxury Hospitality With a Legacy
Representing the hospitality sector, The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group has long been known for its elegance, consistency, and customer-first approach. With 12 luxury properties and two mid-market hotels under The LaLiT Traveller brand, the group continues to be a major player in India’s hotel industry.
What Sets Them Apart
- Focus on homegrown, Indian luxury rather than imported standards
- Deep emphasis on diversity and inclusion, particularly in hiring practices
- Bold moves to adapt to millennial and Gen Z travel trends while preserving the brand’s rich heritage
The next-gen leaders in the group are making waves by investing in digital guest experiences, sustainable hospitality practices, and tech-driven operations without losing the personal touch that defines their brand.
Berger Paints: Reinventing Color, One Stroke at a Time
As one of India’s most trusted paint and coatings companies, Berger Paints has built a reputation on quality and innovation. But what’s truly interesting is how the younger generation is pushing the boundaries of what the company can be.
Where Innovation Meets Tradition
- Embracing AI-powered color matching and virtual home painting tools
- Expanding into green, eco-friendly products that cater to climate-conscious consumers
- Investing in digitization across supply chains and customer interfaces
For Berger Paints, evolution isn’t just about staying competitive — it’s about leading the market while respecting the legacy of trust built over decades.
Inox GFL Group: Energizing the Future of Indian Industry
From energy and chemicals to infrastructure, the Inox GFL Group is one of India’s most diverse business families. At the summit, their next-gen leaders showcased how they’re future-proofing the conglomerate by diving deep into renewable energy, green hydrogen, and sustainable industrial practices.
Green is the New Legacy
- Committing to net-zero carbon goals
- Scaling up clean energy infrastructure for both India and export markets
- Exploring tech collaborations for smarter energy solutions
The focus is clear: bring innovation to the forefront while maintaining the group’s strong industrial base and global relationships.
What Next-Gen Business Leaders Are Saying
The common message from all three companies? Adapt or be left behind.
While their elders built empires brick by brick, today’s business climate demands agility, data-driven decisions, and a global outlook. These young leaders aren’t just inheriting businesses — they’re transforming them into future-ready powerhouses.
They’re:
- Embracing digital transformation
- Investing in sustainability
- Attracting young talent
- Building brands that resonate across generations
All while staying grounded in the values their families instilled: integrity, long-term vision, and people-first leadership.
Final Thoughts: Legacy Isn’t a Limitation — It’s a Launchpad
Entrepreneur India’s 2025 Summit made one thing very clear: the future of Indian business is in capable hands. These next-gen leaders aren’t just preserving what their families built — they’re expanding on it in bold, inspiring ways.
They’ve taken the torch, and they’re running with it — not away from tradition, but toward a new kind of excellence that blends legacy with innovation.
As India continues to grow as a global economic force, these young visionaries are showing the world how family businesses can evolve without losing their soul.