Bhubaneswar is today becoming a meeting point for Odisha’s small and medium business community as Global RISE 2026 brings together entrepreneurs, industry representatives and business leaders around a central question: how can Indian MSMEs move from local markets to global opportunities? The Bhubaneswar edition of the multi-city business movement is focused on MSME growth, exports, manufacturing, technology, artificial intelligence, international business and the opportunities emerging from India’s expanding network of Free Trade Agreements. The event is particularly relevant for Odisha because the state has a large base of small businesses operating alongside major industrial companies, yet many local enterprises continue to face challenges in accessing international markets, modern technology, professional management systems and global supply chains. The idea behind the event is to connect these businesses with information, networks and opportunities that can help them scale. For Odisha, the conversation comes at an important moment. The state government has been aggressively promoting investment across manufacturing, renewable energy, food processing, metals, technology and infrastructure, but large investments alone do not create a complete industrial ecosystem. Major companies require suppliers, contractors, component manufacturers, logistics providers, maintenance firms, technology companies and specialised service providers. MSMEs can potentially occupy many of these positions if they are able to meet quality, certification, financing and delivery requirements. That makes the ability of Odisha’s smaller businesses to scale a critical part of the state’s wider industrial strategy. Global RISE is also placing emphasis on the changing nature of international competition. Indian MSMEs are no longer competing only with businesses in neighbouring districts or states. Digital platforms, cross-border logistics and new trade agreements mean even relatively small companies can potentially reach international buyers, but they must also meet international standards. Certifications, packaging, digital marketing, payment systems, intellectual property, export documentation, quality control and supply-chain reliability increasingly determine whether a company can successfully enter global markets. Artificial intelligence is adding another dimension. For small businesses, AI is increasingly being used in areas such as customer support, market research, content production, demand forecasting, inventory management, accounting assistance and process automation. The technology can potentially reduce the cost of functions that previously required larger teams, allowing smaller enterprises to compete more effectively. But technology adoption also requires awareness and investment, and events such as Global RISE can help entrepreneurs understand where digital tools can create genuine business value rather than simply becoming another buzzword. The Bhubaneswar edition also arrives shortly after Odisha launched a state e-Pavilion on the MSME Global Mart platform, an initiative intended to strengthen digital visibility and market access for the state’s small businesses. Together, these developments point towards a broader transition in Odisha’s MSME ecosystem: from businesses being primarily dependent on local networks towards greater participation in organised digital and international markets. The state’s industrial geography provides another potential advantage. Odisha’s coastline, ports, mineral resources and established industrial clusters can create opportunities for export-oriented manufacturing, provided MSMEs can connect themselves to these larger ecosystems. A local engineering company, packaging supplier, food processor or technology service provider does not necessarily need to become a giant corporation to benefit from industrial expansion. It needs to become reliable enough to supply larger customers and international buyers. This is where the next stage of Odisha’s MSME development may be determined. The state has increasingly attracted large investment proposals, but the long-term economic impact will depend partly on how deeply those projects connect with local enterprises. If MSMEs can become part of the procurement chains created by new factories, renewable-energy projects, logistics infrastructure and export businesses, the benefits of industrialisation could spread more widely across districts. Global RISE therefore represents more than another business networking event. Its larger importance lies in creating a conversation around the next generation of Odisha entrepreneurs and whether they can compete beyond the state. For a state attempting to establish itself as an investment destination, building globally capable local businesses is equally important. The coming years could see Odisha’s MSMEs move into new export categories, adopt more technology and participate in supply chains created by large domestic and international investors. The challenge now is converting discussion into measurable business outcomes: new orders, new partnerships, exports, certifications, technology adoption and investment. If that happens, the local-to-global ambition behind Global RISE could become a meaningful part of Odisha’s next phase of entrepreneurship-led growth.