# Assam Entrepreneur Jahnabi Phookan Named Among 2026 Meaningful Business 100 Honourees > Assam-based entrepreneur and Lahé Looms founder Jahnabi Phookan has been selected for the global 2026 Meaningful Business 100 list, recognising leaders who balance commercial success with social and environmental impact. **Type:** article · **Category:** Assam · **Published:** 2026-10-21 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/assam/assam-entrepreneur-jahnabi-phookan-named-among-2026-meaningful-business-100-honourees-50204 · **Language:** English **Tags:** Jahnabi Phookan, Lahe Looms, Assam, Meaningful Business 100, Northeast, Entrepreneurship Assam-based entrepreneur **Jahnabi Phookan**, who founded Lahé Looms, has earned a coveted spot among the winners of the 2026 Meaningful Business 100 (MB100). This global initiative highlights business leaders who successfully merge commercial enterprise with vital social and environmental contributions. Participating in the MB100 programme will allow Phookan to integrate into an international network of social entrepreneurs, impact investors, and corporate sustainability heads. The platform equips selected individuals with capacity-building tools and pro bono assistance through partnerships with prominent institutions. Key collaborators supporting this global initiative include EY, Hogan Lovells, Cadwalader, Forster Communications, Northeastern University London, and Portman Marylebone. ## Selection and Expert Evaluation Reflecting on the recognition through a social media post, Phookan expressed deep gratitude, calling it an immense privilege to join the annual programme that honours leaders building scalable answers to tough global challenges. She stated that she looks forward to collaborating with fellow honourees and engaging deeply within the wider Meaningful Business ecosystem of change-makers, impact investors, and sustainability champions. The 2026 honourees were meticulously chosen by a panel of expert judges from a pool exceeding 900 nominations. Every nominee underwent rigorous evaluation across five core pillars, which include equity, impact, innovation, leadership, and scalability. ## Leadership Background and Industry Experience Meaningful Business founder and CEO **Tom Lytton-Dickie** congratulated Phookan, emphasizing that her work at Lahé Looms brilliantly illustrates how scalable business models combined with modern approaches can drive concrete positive change. Now celebrating its eighth year, the MB100 programme serves as a collaborative hub for leaders committed to aligning corporate profit with a clear sense of purpose, facilitating professional growth and knowledge exchange. Phookan brings over three decades of extensive experience in the tourism sector and in promoting Assam and Northeast India. Alongside launching Lahé Looms, she serves as the co-founder and director of Jungle Travels India and the Assam Bengal Navigation Company. Furthermore, she previously led the FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) as its National President during 2020-21. ## What this means for you This global recognition elevates regional entrepreneurship in India, offering local founders and community-driven brands broader international visibility. - **Across India:** The recognition inspires social entrepreneurs nationwide to integrate commercial viability with robust environmental and social governance. It paves the way for homegrown ventures to engage with global impact investor networks. - **In Assam:** The milestone brings international spotlight to the state's rich entrepreneurial potential and traditional sectors. It highlights regional leadership from Northeast India on a prominent worldwide platform. ## Why this happened The selection follows an intensive global evaluation process designed to measure business leaders against strict criteria combining enterprise success with social good. The final honourees were chosen after reviewing a massive pool of applicants. - **Rigorous Evaluation:** An expert panel of judges assessed over 900 nominations across five core criteria including equity, impact, innovation, leadership, and scalability. - **Global Institutional Support:** The programme collaborates with international organisations and legal firms like EY and Hogan Lovells to identify sustainable and scalable business solutions. - **Extensive Track Record:** Phookan's deep industry experience spanning over three decades in regional tourism and sustainable ventures played a key role in her selection. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. Which global recognition has Jahnabi Phookan been named in? Jahnabi Phookan has been named among the winners of the 2026 Meaningful Business 100 (MB100) list. ### 2. What venture is founded by Jahnabi Phookan? She is the founder of Lahé Looms and also serves as the co-founder and director of Jungle Travels India and Assam Bengal Navigation Company. ### 3. How were the 2026 winners selected? The winners were selected by a panel of expert judges from a pool of more than 900 nominations. ### 4. What key criteria were used during the selection process? Nominees were evaluated across five key areas including equity, impact, innovation, leadership, and scalability. ### 5. Who is the founder and CEO of Meaningful Business? Tom Lytton-Dickie is the founder and CEO of Meaningful Business. ### 6. What leadership role did Phookan hold previously? She served as the National President of the FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) during 2020-21. ## Inspiration & Lessons Jahnabi Phookan's journey demonstrates how persistence, purpose-driven leadership, and regional focus can lead to international acclaim. - **Blend Profit with Purpose:** Integrating social and environmental responsibility into a business model creates long-term value and community resilience. - **Leverage Local Strengths:** Building enterprises rooted in regional heritage can capture global attention through scalable and innovative execution. - **Value Long-Term Experience:** Dedication and extensive sectoral expertise over decades build the foundation for impactful industry leadership. - **Engage with Global Networks:** Collaborating with international impact communities helps scale sustainable ventures and opens up new avenues for growth. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._