Author – Ritesh Ranjan: Leadership today is no longer only about responding to change. It is about questioning established models, exploring new possibilities and preparing organisations for challenges that may not yet be visible. Against this backdrop, IIMBue 2026, the flagship conclave of the IIM Bangalore Alumni Association, is set to bring together some of the most influential minds from business, government, technology, healthcare, finance, academia and the creative industries.
Scheduled for August 1 and 2, 2026, at The Leela Bhartiya City in Bengaluru, the two-day leadership conclave will be organised around the theme “Changing the Orbit.”
The theme reflects the need for leaders and organisations to move beyond incremental improvements. Instead of simply adapting to disruption, IIMBue 2026 will encourage participants to rethink their direction, redesign their growth strategies and move towards a new orbit of innovation, resilience and long-term impact.
A Major Leadership Gathering in Bengaluru
IIMBue has developed into one of India’s prominent alumni-led leadership platforms. The 2026 edition is expected to welcome more than 1,500 delegates from India and other countries, including entrepreneurs, corporate executives, investors, policymakers, academicians, innovators and members of the IIM Bangalore alumni community.
The conclave stands out because of its cross-sector approach. It brings together leaders from areas that do not always interact regularly, including technology, healthcare, manufacturing, media, sports, finance, public policy and entertainment.
This diversity allows participants to explore how ideas from one sector can influence transformation in another. A discussion on artificial intelligence, for example, may offer lessons for healthcare, manufacturing, financial services or education. Similarly, insights from sports, cinema and entrepreneurship may provide new perspectives on resilience, creativity and leadership.
Why “Changing the Orbit” Matters
Businesses across the world are facing multiple disruptions at the same time. Artificial intelligence is changing how organisations operate, compete and make decisions. Geopolitical developments are reshaping global trade and investment. Consumer expectations are evolving rapidly, while new technologies are shortening business cycles.
In such an environment, maintaining stability is no longer sufficient. Organisations need leaders who can identify emerging opportunities, challenge assumptions and build new capabilities.
The “Changing the Orbit” theme represents a shift from managing existing systems to creating new trajectories. It encourages leaders to think beyond short-term performance and consider how their organisations can remain competitive, responsible and relevant over the long term.
For participants, the conclave is expected to provide both strategic perspectives and practical insights that can be applied within their own businesses and institutions.
Three Key Themes of IIMBue 2026
The discussions at IIMBue 2026 will be structured around three major themes that reflect the forces transforming business and leadership.
New Geometry of Power
This theme will examine changes in the global economic and geopolitical environment. As new alliances emerge and traditional centres of influence evolve, organisations must understand how global developments may affect supply chains, investment decisions, technology access and market expansion.
The sessions are expected to help leaders evaluate risk, identify opportunities and navigate a world in which economic and political developments are increasingly interconnected.
Redesigning Trajectory
Organisations can no longer depend entirely on strategies that worked in the past. This theme will focus on how companies and institutions can reinvent themselves to remain resilient and competitive.
Discussions may cover organisational transformation, leadership development, strategic decision-making and the ability to build new business models. The focus will be on helping leaders move from reactive problem-solving to deliberate reinvention.
Tech for Future Orbits
Technology will be one of the central areas of discussion at IIMBue 2026. Artificial intelligence, deep technology, automation and digital platforms are transforming nearly every industry.
Under this theme, speakers and participants will examine how organisations can use emerging technologies responsibly and effectively. The conversations are expected to go beyond technology adoption and explore its impact on productivity, employment, innovation, customer experience and long-term competitiveness.
Distinguished Speakers at IIMBue 2026
The conclave will feature a diverse group of speakers from the corporate, public policy, technology, healthcare and entertainment sectors.
The announced lineup includes Noel Naval Tata, Chairman of Tata Trusts; Siddharth Sharma, CEO of Tata Trusts; G.V. Prasad, Co-Chairman and Managing Director of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories; Anand Ramamoorthy, Founding Managing Director of Micron India; and Ambassador Deepak Vohra.
Actors Boman Irani and Bhumi Pednekar are also expected to participate, bringing perspectives from cinema, storytelling and personal reinvention.
The presence of speakers from different professional backgrounds reflects the interdisciplinary character of the conclave. Leadership lessons are not limited to corporate boardrooms, and IIMBue 2026 aims to demonstrate how ideas from diplomacy, healthcare, technology, philanthropy, cinema and entrepreneurship can contribute to stronger leadership.
Keynotes, Panels and Networking Opportunities
The programme will include keynote addresses, fireside conversations, panel discussions and networking sessions.
Topics are expected to include artificial intelligence-led transformation, scaling healthcare organisations, leadership in a multipolar world, frontier technologies, sports as an economic growth driver and the art of personal and organisational reinvention.
These formats will allow participants to hear directly from experienced leaders while also engaging in discussions with peers. The networking opportunities are expected to be particularly valuable for entrepreneurs, investors, senior executives and professionals exploring partnerships or new business opportunities.
Venture Showcase for Startups
A major attraction at IIMBue 2026 will be the Venture Showcase, which will connect emerging startups with investors, mentors and strategic partners.
For founders, the showcase may provide an opportunity to present their ideas, receive feedback and build relationships with experienced business leaders. For investors and corporate participants, it can offer access to innovative ventures working across different industries.
The initiative reflects the conclave’s focus on creating tangible outcomes rather than limiting the event to conversations and presentations.
IIMB Alumni Authors’ Nook
The event will also feature the IIMB Alumni Authors’ Nook, a dedicated platform showcasing books written by IIM Bangalore alumni.
This initiative will add an intellectual and creative dimension to the conclave by highlighting alumni contributions to business thinking, leadership, literature and public discourse. It will also give participants an opportunity to discover new ideas and interact with alumni authors.
Creating New Leadership Trajectories
According to Harish Mittal, President of the IIM Bangalore Alumni Association, the conclave is intended to help leaders question existing assumptions and create entirely new growth trajectories.
That objective captures the central idea behind IIMBue 2026. In a rapidly changing world, leaders must be prepared not only to respond to disruption but also to redefine their ambitions and operating models.
By bringing together more than 1,500 delegates, distinguished speakers, startup founders, investors, policymakers and academics, IIMBue 2026 is positioned to become an important platform for discussing the future of leadership.
As businesses and institutions prepare for a world shaped by artificial intelligence, geopolitical uncertainty and technological acceleration, the conclave aims to provide participants with the ideas, relationships and confidence required to move into the next orbit of growth and impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is IIMBue 2026?
IIMBue 2026 is a two-day leadership conclave organised by the IIM Bangalore Alumni Association. It brings together business leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, academicians, innovators and alumni for discussions on leadership, technology, transformation and economic growth.
2. When and where will IIMBue 2026 take place?
IIMBue 2026 will be held on August 1 and 2, 2026, at The Leela Bhartiya City in Bengaluru.
3. What is the theme of IIMBue 2026?
The theme of IIMBue 2026 is “Changing the Orbit.” It focuses on helping leaders move beyond incremental change and create new trajectories for innovation, resilience, competitiveness and sustainable growth.
4. Who are the speakers at IIMBue 2026?
The speaker lineup includes Noel Naval Tata, Siddharth Sharma, G.V. Prasad, Anand Ramamoorthy, Ambassador Deepak Vohra, Boman Irani and Bhumi Pednekar, among other leaders and innovators.
5. What are the major attractions at the conclave?
The conclave will feature keynote speeches, fireside chats, panel discussions, networking sessions, a Venture Showcase for startups and the IIMB Alumni Authors’ Nook.