The CIO500 Accelerator X Awards 2025 concluded its 10-city tour in Coimbatore on September 19th at The Residency Towers, blending thought leadership, networking, and celebration with the 25th anniversary of Secure Network Solutions (SNS).
The CIO500 Accelerator X Awards 2025 reached its grand finale in Coimbatore, marking the conclusion of a successful 10-city journey across India. Hosted at The Residency Towers on 19th September 2025, the event brought together CIOs, technology leaders, and industry experts for an evening of knowledge sharing, collaboration, and recognition.
The Coimbatore chapter was uniquely significant as it coincided with the 25th anniversary of Secure Network Solutions (SNS), a milestone for one of India’s trusted names in cybersecurity. The evening carried the dual flavor of celebrating technology leadership while honoring SNS’s enduring contribution to enterprise security.
“The CIO500 series has always been about celebrating the vision and resilience of CIOs across India. Ending this remarkable journey in Coimbatore, a city synonymous with innovation and enterprise, made the finale truly memorable,” said Sanjay Mohapatra, Editor, Enterprise IT World, while delivering his welcome address.
Thought Leadership at the Core
The evening began with networking tea, creating a vibrant environment for CIOs to exchange insights and connect with peers. The sessions opened with presentations from Ramanan Chidambaram, Director Sales – Emerging Business at Fortinet, and Akash Guruprasanna, Regional Sales Manager – South India & SAARC at CyberArk, who shared their perspectives on securing enterprises in an AI-driven world.
This was followed by two power-packed panel discussions that reflected the pressing priorities of CIOs today.
The first panel, on “Ensuring Scalable and Resilient IT Infrastructure with AI”, was moderated by Biju Velayudhan, CIO, G.Kuppuswamy Naidu Memorial Hospital, with panelists Subodh Nair (Elgi Equipments Ltd), Jidesh Gopinathan (The Arya Vaidya Pharmacy Coimbatore Ltd), and Srikanthan JS (KPR Mill Limited). The discussion emphasized how AI can help organizations build scalable systems while addressing resilience in increasingly volatile environments.
The second panel, on “Navigating Boardroom Expectations and Digital KPIs”, was moderated by Ranjeeth Bellary, Partner, Forensic & Integrity Services, EY. Panelists Dr. Raveendran N (Sakthi Finance Ltd./ABT Industries Ltd.), Ravi Shankar Shanmugasundarm (Kovai Medical Center and Hospital Ltd.), and Srikrishna Narasimhan (Pricol Group) delved into aligning digital strategies with boardroom expectations, focusing on governance, measurable KPIs, and the evolving role of CIOs as business leaders.
A Celebration of Milestones
A highlight of the evening was the presentation and quiz competition conducted by Mr. N.K. Mehta, MD & CEO of Secure Network Solutions, which not only marked the company’s 25 years of success but also engaged participants in an interactive knowledge-sharing session. This added a celebratory flavor to the event and honored SNS’s legacy in strengthening India’s cybersecurity landscape.
The event also featured lighter moments, including a Tombola session, leading into the much-anticipated CIO500 Accelerator X Awards 2025 ceremony. The awards recognized and celebrated the transformative leadership of CIOs who are driving digital innovation across industries.
The evening concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Sanjib Mohapatra, Publisher, Enterprise IT World (India & Middle East), followed by a group photo, cocktails, and dinner — a fitting close to a day of insights, recognition, and camaraderie.
A Memorable Finale
The Coimbatore chapter was not just another stop but the culmination of the 10-city CIO500 journey across India. From Delhi to Mumbai, Kolkata to Kochi, and finally Coimbatore, the tour created a platform where technology leaders shared experiences, debated pressing issues, and celebrated their achievements.
As the final chapter closed, it was clear that the CIO500 Accelerator X Awards had not only highlighted the challenges and opportunities in enterprise IT but also strengthened the bonds of the CIO community nationwide. Coimbatore’s vibrant participation ensured the finale was memorable, impactful, and forward-looking.
The CIO500 journey may have concluded, but its spirit of knowledge-sharing and leadership continues to resonate, paving the way for a stronger, smarter, and more resilient IT ecosystem across India.
