Why Innovation Demands Patience

Dear friends,

As we step into a new year, I find myself pausing—not to take stock in a formal sense, but to reflect on what it has meant to build, to back, and to believe in innovation in India over the past year. At Marico Innovation Foundation, our work has never been about chasing novelty. It has always been about staying with the hard, often unglamorous work of helping good ideas survive, adapt, and grow in the real world.

2025 reminded us why that patience matters. Across our Awards—the Indian Innovation Icons 2025, programs like Scale Up, and multiple convenings, we saw innovations move from promise to proof—sometimes quietly, sometimes against the odds. 

Our Indian Innovation Icons awardees, for instance, are no longer just “winners” on a stage. They are building institutions, partnerships, and systems that are finding their footing well beyond the spotlight. Several have gone on to unlock new capital, deepen collaborations, and reach communities at a scale that would have seemed ambitious even a year ago. These journeys are still unfolding, and that is precisely the point.

One of the moments that stayed with me last year was InnoWin Day—a curated, high‑impact event designed to connect  innovators with investors, corporates, and ecosystem partners to help them scale their solutions. What struck me was not just the energy in the room, but the intent. 

When innovators, funders, corporates, and ecosystem partners sit across the table from one another—not to pitch or impress, but to genuinely listen—something shifts. Conversations become more honest. Constraints surface earlier. Possibilities become more grounded. In many ways, that day reflected what we are trying to do more of at MIF: create spaces where progress is shaped collectively, not in silos.

We were also present in rooms beyond our own—at conversations on climate, livelihoods, inclusion, and the future of work—where a recurring question kept emerging: who gets to decide what innovation should look like, and who it should work for? 

These exchanges have continued to sharpen our thinking. They have reinforced our belief that scale, on its own, is not success. Scale must be accompanied by dignity, resilience, and long-term value for the people and systems it touches.

As we look ahead, 2026 feels less like a clean slate and more like a continuation—with greater clarity. We are preparing for the next edition of our awards, deepening our work with startups as part of our no-equity accelerator, Scale-Up, and investing more deliberately in ecosystem partnerships that can carry innovations further than any one organisation can. 

Internally too, as a team, we are taking time to reflect on how we work together, what we prioritise, and how we stay true to our purpose as we grow. Back in August ‘25, the team spent a few days on an offsite in Alibag, where—along with disconnecting from work and simply enjoying time together—we created space for deeper conversations. We reflected on everything the year brought our way, revisited our ways of working, and began restrategising for the year ahead. It was a valuable reminder of the importance of pausing, aligning, and strengthening our foundations before stepping into a new chapter.

Throughout this journey, we continue to be guided by the vision of our founder, Mr. Harsh Mariwala—that innovation in India must be both ambitious and anchored. His counsel to look beyond quick wins, to back founders with patience, and to build for impact that endures, remains deeply relevant in a world that often rewards speed over substance.

If there is one thing I am carrying forward into this year, it is a quiet confidence in the long game. Innovation, especially the kind that matters, rarely moves in straight lines. It asks for conviction, collaboration, and the courage to stay with complexity. At MIF, we remain committed to doing just that—alongside all of you who believe that India’s most meaningful breakthroughs are still ahead of us.

Thank you for being part of this journey. I look forward to what we will build, question, and learn together in the months to come.

Warmly,
Suranjana Ghosh
Head, Marico Innovation Foundation

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