Mumbai:
Arthsanket hosted ‘Maharashtra’s Popular Brand (MahaBrand) 2026’, emerging as a dynamic platform that enables entrepreneurs, startups, and family businesses to enhance their visibility, credibility, and growth potential.
The event recognised brands that have consistently built strong customer trust through innovation and quality. It also reinforced a key business reality—branding, customer perception, and market positioning are now critical drivers of long-term success.
Insights from Industry Leaders
Prominent leaders shared practical insights for business growth:
- Pradeep Lokhande highlighted that consistency and patience are fundamental to building enduring brands.
- Agnelorajesh Athaide encouraged entrepreneurs to expand beyond regional boundaries and aim for global markets.
- Dr. Avinash Phadke stressed the importance of compliance and structured business practices.
Customer-Driven Brand Recognition
A standout feature of MahaBrand 2026 was its 7-day public voting process via WhatsApp, where customers directly chose their preferred brands. This model reflects a significant shift towards trust-based validation, where real customer experience outweighs traditional marketing.
Top Brands Recognised
- Most Popular Brand: Vicco Laboratories, Pitambari, Yojak Foods, Angrezi Dhaba, Kho Go, Dev Masale
- Most Innovative Brand: MEPL, IISM, Admark Multiventures
- Best Customer Service Brand: Chhatrapati Shivaji’s Creative Solutions, Finshack, Janseva Urban Co-op Credit Society, Vastu Raviraj, Hindusthan Co-op Credit Society
Why MahaBrand Matters
- Strengthens brand credibility and trust
- Enables high-value networking opportunities
- Provides direct customer validation
- Boosts visibility among investors and partners
Future-Ready Business Focus
Beyond awards, the event emphasised future business trends. Dr. Amit Bagwe, Founder of Arthsanket, highlighted the growing importance of AI, stating that businesses must embrace technology to stay competitive. Discussions also focused on financial discipline and funding access, particularly for SMEs and women entrepreneurs.
A Vision for Scalable Regional Brands
Launched in 2017, MahaBrand is designed to help regional entrepreneurs build globally competitive brands. The introduction of a single-click voting system has further enhanced transparency, accessibility, and participation.
