Announcing WIEF 2017–18

WIEF Content
Aug 8, 2017 · 2 min read

Diversify. Disrupt. Deliver.

Authors: Ankit Agarwal, Hena Mehta, Abhinav Prateek, Twishmay Shankar

Twenty one years ago, the Wharton India Economic Forum (WIEF) was launched to showcase India’s enormous potential to the rest of the world. In a first of its kind student-run conference, WIEF brought together leaders from spheres as varied as industry, policy, media and academia. And therein lay the start of an exciting journey of informed dialogues, inspired interviews, and thought-provoking discussions. Over the last two decades, as India has transformed from a fledgling open economy to an emerging superpower, WIEF has closely followed, facilitated, and shaped the conversation surrounding this transformation.

Through our panel discussions and fireside chats, leading policy makers, researchers, and business leaders have come together to discuss improvement opportunities, global inspirations and implementation channels. Through our keynote speakers, we have received a glimpse into the minds of the role models shaping the future of the country. And through our five-year old Wharton India Startup Challenge, we have contributed to the country’s thriving innovation ecosystem, by drawing applications from over 500 startups, identifying promising ventures, and providing them with financial support, mentorship opportunities, and media attention.

Going forward, we are excited to further our role as a recognized and well-established conversation enabler. While we wish to focus on the drivers of India’s success, we also seek to acknowledge the challenges that lie ahead. The Indian growth story is a plot full of contradictions, where our industries flourish way faster than our human development indices. It would be amiss if WIEF does not spark exciting discussions that bring these contradictions to the forefront.

With this cautious optimism in mind, we are proud to announce the launch of our 22nd annual conference — WIEF 2017–18: “Diversify. Disrupt. Deliver.”. Through this year’s conference, we wish to bring forth ideas that diversify governance and human capital, disrupt industry through innovation, and deliver impact to the society.

WIEF will host two conferences this year, one in Philadelphia, and the other in Mumbai, making it the first conference of its kind with a truly global reach. Our Mumbai conference will again be accompanied with the Wharton India Startup Challenge targeting the next generation of business leaders promoting entrepreneurship in India. What’s more, WIEF is also launching a content platform this year, dedicated to bringing diverse perspectives and encouraging informed debate on the most pressing topics in India.

Join us as we discuss ideas from the past, present and the future, and form lasting relationships with leaders and visionaries. Welcome to the world of 3D. Welcome to WIEF!

Your WIEF Chairs
Ankit, Hena, Abhinav, Twishmay

Wharton India Economic Forum

Wharton India Economic Forum (WIEF) is Wharton’s student-run, India-centric business conference bringing together professionals, academics and students from around the world to discuss India’s evolution into a prominent global economic power.

WIEF Content

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Connecting innovators, academics, and industry leaders with the ideas, companies, and policies that are reinventing India

Wharton India Economic Forum

Wharton India Economic Forum (WIEF) is Wharton’s student-run, India-centric business conference bringing together professionals, academics and students from around the world to discuss India’s evolution into a prominent global economic power.

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