CA K. Ravi to Lead BCIC into its Next Era of Growth

CA K. Ravi is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), a law graduate and Senior Partner of K.R. Kumar & Co. and K. Ravi & Associates. He is also the Director of VR e-Biz Solutions Pvt. Ltd., which provides specialised India Entry Consulting and Virtual CFO services. He brings more than three decades of professional excellence in taxation, corporate advisory, governance and international business. 

Recognised as one of Karnataka’s most respected industry leaders, he created history as the first practising Chartered Accountant to become President of the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) in its 104-year history. His distinguished leadership journey also includes serving as President of the Karnataka State Chartered Accountants Association (KSCAA), Past President of Rotary Bangalore Orchards and Past Governor of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), Florida, USA-Bangalore Chapter. 

A long-standing member of BCIC, CA K. Ravi has previously served as Chairman of the International Business Committee, Co-Chairman of the Start-up Committee and Member of the Managing Committee. He has also led several international business delegations across Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, Oman, Malaysia and Canada, strengthening Karnataka’s global trade and investment relationships. 

Speaking on assuming office as President of BCIC, CA K. Ravi said, “It is a privilege to lead BCIC at such a historic milestone as we celebrate fifty years of serving Karnataka’s industry. The Chamber has always played a pivotal role in bringing together industry, government and academia and our Golden Jubilee provides an opportunity to build institutions that will create lasting value for the next fifty years. Our focus will be on strengthening policy advocacy, supporting MSMEs and start-ups, accelerating global business engagement, promoting sustainability and creating a future-ready ecosystem that enhances Karnataka’s competitiveness on the global stage.” 

Under CA K. Ravi’s leadership, BCIC will continue to strengthen industry-government collaboration, promote innovation, encourage manufacturing excellence and create enduring institutions that support Karnataka’s growth and global competitiveness. 

Dr. Prashanth Reddy Takes Over as Senior Vice President of BCIC

BCIC has also announced the appointment of Dr. Prashanth Reddy as its Senior Vice President for the year 2026-27. He joins the Chamber’s leadership team during its Golden Jubilee year, bringing nearly three decades of experience in engineering, manufacturing, marketing and business leadership.

Manufacturing Leader to Strengthen BCIC’s Growth Agenda

A Mechanical Engineer with an MBA in Marketing and a PhD, Dr. Prashanth Reddy has spent the past thirteen years driving growth and innovation in the building materials and real estate sector. 

Under his leadership, Fundermax India has completed over 15,000 projects across the country, partnering with leading architects, developers, hospitality companies, corporates and retail organisations. The company today operates through a strong network of more than 40 business partners across India and the SAARC region and has earned several national and international recognitions for quality systems and its commitment to sustainable green building practices. Known for his strategic outlook and customer-centric leadership, Dr. Prashanth believes organisations must continually refine their strategies and remain agile to succeed in an ever-evolving business environment. 

As Senior Vice President, Dr. Prashanth Reddy will work closely with President CA K. Ravi and the BCIC Managing Committee to support the Chamber’s Golden Jubilee initiatives, including international business expansion, manufacturing excellence, research, skilling, innovation and global partnerships. 

Speaking on taking over as Senior Vice President, Dr. Prashanth Reddy said, “I am honoured to take on this responsibility during BCIC’s Golden Jubilee year. This is an exciting time for the Chamber as it embarks on several transformative initiatives that will strengthen manufacturing, innovation, research, skilling and international partnerships. I look forward to working closely with President CA K. Ravi, the Managing Committee and our members to ensure these initiatives create meaningful opportunities for industry while reinforcing Karnataka’s position as one of India’s leading economic engines.”

With Dr. Prashanth Reddy joining its leadership team, BCIC further strengthens its vision of encouraging innovation, manufacturing excellence, global partnerships and sustainable economic growth as it builds on five decades of service to Karnataka’s industry.

Bengaluru, 15^th December 2025: Primus Partners unveiled its latest report, Empowering Small Businesses through Digital Advertising, a comprehensive study based on a survey of over 1,000 MSMEs and startups across India. The report underscores that digital advertising has become one of the most potent accelerators of small business growth, driving visibility, efficiency, and measurable returns at a scale previously inaccessible to smaller enterprises. The study shows that India’s SMB sector is undergoing a decisive shift embracing data-driven marketing, diversifying across platforms and formats, and increasingly adopting AI to optimise campaigns and reduce inefficiencies. Yet, even with this momentum, many small businesses continue to struggle with cost pressures, skill gaps, and the challenge of navigating an increasingly complex advertising ecosystem.

The findings reveal that SMBs are not only advertising more, they are advertising smarter. A majority use three to four platforms simultaneously, over 65% deploy multiple formats, and more than 90% actively monitor campaign performance using digital tools. As the digital marketplace grows more competitive, AI adoption has become nearly universal, with SMBs using intelligent tools for targeting, fraud detection, automation, and creative optimisation.

The study also highlights structural challenges that continue to restrain the full potential of SMBs. Limited budgets, absence of specialised talent, lack of IT infrastructure, and difficulty choosing the right mix of platforms and formats were cited as primary barriers. Over 70% of SMBs also expressed that the sheer variety of advertising options can be overwhelming, underscoring the need for simplified guidance and ecosystem support.

Commenting on the policy significance of the findings, Sunita Mohanty, Managing Director, Primus Partners, said, “India’s economy depends deeply on the vitality of its small businesses, and this report shows how digital advertising is becoming a key equaliser allowing them to compete with larger players and participate more meaningfully in national and global markets. What is remarkable is not just the high adoption rate, but the tangible impact: from doubling revenues to expanding across India and even reaching export markets. At the same time, small businesses are telling us clearly that they need simpler, more affordable, and more trustworthy digital pathways. This report is our effort to ensure their voices shape the next phase of India’s digital economy.”

The report concludes that India’s SMBs are transitioning from digital adopters to digital leaders, but need a more supportive ecosystem to unlock their full potential. It calls for strengthened public–private collaboration, targeted digital skilling initiatives, responsible AI frameworks, and broader access to affordable tools that can help small businesses grow with confidence, resilience, and transparency.