Madan Padaki – A Visionary Entrepreneur, Impact Catalyst, and Transformational Speaker
Madan Padaki is a powerhouse of innovation, entrepreneurship, and social impact. As the Founder & Director of 1Bridge, Co-founder & Managing Trustee of Head Held High Foundation, and Co-founder of Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship (GAME), he has dedicated his career to empowering individuals and building scalable solutions that create lasting impact.
With a purpose deeply rooted in service, Madan defines his life’s mission as: “To serve the Supreme, by empowering every human being to unleash their infinite potential, to create a world filled with abundance & oneness.” This guiding principle has fueled his journey as a serial entrepreneur, mentor, and thought leader, shaping the future of entrepreneurship and rural development in India.
Madan co-founded MeritTrac Services in 2000, India’s pioneering skills assessment company that revolutionized the talent industry. Recognized by Fast Company as one of the Top 10 Innovative Companies in India, MeritTrac has assessed over 50 million candidates and continues to be a leader in the space. The company was successfully acquired by Manipal Education in 2011, marking a significant milestone in India’s edtech and HR-tech landscape.
His passion for inclusive growth led to the creation of Head Held High Foundation, an organization that transforms underprivileged, low-educated youth—especially girls—into confident, English-speaking professionals and entrepreneurs. Operating in 100+ rural locations, it has impacted the lives of 25,000+ youth, breaking barriers of poverty and social limitations.
Madan further amplified this mission with 1Bridge, a revolutionary rural commerce platform that bridges access gaps by delivering aspirational products and services to emerging markets. With a footprint in 75+ districts and a network of 20,000+ village entrepreneurs, 1Bridge is enabling local economies while facilitating last-mile commerce solutions. Recognized as a National Start-up Awards 2021 winner, 1Bridge was personally acknowledged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his ‘Mann ki Baat’ address in May 2022.
As the Co-founder of GAME (Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship), Madan is spearheading initiatives to create 1 million entrepreneurs across 350 districts in the next decade. By bringing together governments, businesses, and civil society organizations, GAME is driving large-scale job creation and entrepreneurship development, reinforcing India’s economic backbone.
Madan is a highly sought-after speaker at TEDx, INK Conference, and leading global forums. His deep insights into entrepreneurship, leadership, and social innovation have inspired audiences worldwide. Notably, he was invited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to present his ideas at the Champions of Change Conclave in 2017.
As a Guest Faculty at LBS National Academy of Administration (Mussoorie), he trains future Indian Civil Services Officers on rural empowerment and entrepreneurship. He also serves on various government committees on skills development, women entrepreneurship, and rural transformation, shaping national policies that drive inclusive progress.
Madan’s influence extends across multiple domains:
For his contributions, he was honored with the Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award by India CSR Network in 2021 and has been recognized as one of India’s leading “Tech for Good” philanthropists by Forbes.
A prolific writer, Madan shares his wisdom on Bhagavad Gita, entrepreneurship, and leadership through leading publications. He believes that entrepreneurship is not just about business—it’s about building a better world.
Holding a Mechanical Engineering degree from NIE, Mysore, and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Management from SPJIMR, Mumbai, he was also conferred an Honorary Doctorate from Chitkara University for his contributions to entrepreneurship and rural development.
Madan Padaki is an electrifying speaker who blends visionary thinking, practical strategies, and inspirational storytelling. Whether addressing corporate executives, entrepreneurs, policymakers, or students, he delivers transformational insights that leave audiences motivated and empowered to take action.
Book him today to bring a dynamic, purpose-driven perspective to your next event and witness how his ideas can ignite innovation, inspire leadership, and drive meaningful impact.
