Dr. Yogesh Lakhani, Founder and Managing Director of Bright Outdoor Media Limited, has been awarded the 21st Manappuram Multibillionaire Business Achiever (MBA) Award at the International Business Excellence Awards (IBE) 2026. The ceremony took place on June 23, 2026, at the Gokulam Park Hotel & Convention Centre in Kochi.
Award Presentation and Dignitaries
The award was presented by Shri V.P. Nandakumar, Chairman & Managing Director of Manappuram Finance Limited; Shri Gokulam Gopalan, Founder & Chairman of Sree Gokulam Group and Chairman of the Federal International Chamber Forum (FICF); and Dr. Viju Jacob, Executive Chairman of Synthite Industries Limited. The event was also graced by Dr. Ajit Ravi, Founder of Pegasus Global Pvt. Ltd., Padma Shri Balachandra Menon, Gopu Nandilath, Dr. N. Jehangir, and other eminent business leaders.
Significance of the MBA Award
The Manappuram MBA Award is instituted to honor exceptional entrepreneurs who demonstrate outstanding business leadership and a strong commitment to society. It is regarded as one of India's distinguished recognitions for entrepreneurial excellence. Previous recipients include renowned figures such as Shri M.A. Yusuff Ali, Shri Joy Alukkas, Shri P.N.C. Menon, Shri Kochouseph Chittilappilly, Shri Ravi Pillai, and Shri V.P. Nandakumar.
Dr. Lakhani's Entrepreneurial Journey
Dr. Yogesh Lakhani's journey is a story of resilience and determination. Born into a modest middle-class family in Mumbai, he grew up in a small 10x10-foot home in Malad. He began working while still in school, selling newspapers and other items to support his family. His entry into advertising started as a delivery boy in a cinema advertising business. Through hard work and self-belief, he built Bright Outdoor Media from modest beginnings into a leading OOH advertising company.
Bright Outdoor Media's Achievements
Under Dr. Lakhani's leadership, Bright Outdoor Media has become India's first listed Out-of-Home advertising company, debuting on the BSE SME platform on March 24, 2023. The company also earned a Guinness World Record for installing the largest number of solar panels on a single billboard in Mumbai. In H2 FY26, the company reported Total Revenue of ₹92.12 Cr, EBITDA of ₹20.25 Cr, Net Profit of ₹13.97 Cr, and EPS of ₹12.98. For the full FY26, Total Revenue was ₹155.43 Cr, EBITDA ₹35.23 Cr, Net Profit ₹24.05 Cr, and EPS ₹12.26.
Recognition and Impact
The MBA Award 2026 recognizes Dr. Lakhani's outstanding business accomplishments and his lifetime dedication to creating opportunities and building trust in India's advertising ecosystem. The award serves as a milestone for Bright Outdoor Media, reinforcing its commitment to innovation, leadership, and long-term value creation.
About Bright Outdoor Media
Founded in 1980 and headquartered in Andheri, Mumbai, Bright Outdoor Media has 45 years of expertise in OOH advertising. The company operates over 490 hoardings across strategic locations, including ownership of more than 50 of Mumbai's 120+ digital LED billboards. It also trades hoardings from government, semi-government, and private entities. Bright Outdoor Media is the first in the world to install solar panels on hoardings, supplying electricity to Indian Railways through a joint venture.
