SBY Academy Concludes Inaugural PowerSpeak Championship for Corporate Leaders in Mumbai
SBY Academy, an executive coaching and corporate training organisation, hosted the Grand Finale of its inaugural PowerSpeak Championship on August 9 in Mumbai. Designed specifically for corporate leaders and business owners, the event aimed to provide executives with a dedicated platform to share authentic personal stories and leadership insights beyond professional job titles.
What Happened
The competition opened with nationwide video submissions from business executives across India. Following an evaluation process, ten finalists were chosen to present live on stage during the Mumbai finale. An international panel of professional speakers representing the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates conducted online evaluations during the semi-finals using a structured 15-point assessment framework to determine the final lineup. The grand finale audience comprised international speakers, industrialists, business owners, and corporate professionals, and featured a keynote address delivered by actor Vijay Vikram Singh.
Key Highlights
- Inaugural Platform: SBY Academy launched the PowerSpeak Championship as a dedicated public speaking competition for Indian business owners and corporate executives.
- Global Evaluation: International jury members from Sweden, the Netherlands, and the UAE assessed participants using a 15-point criteria during the semi-final rounds.
- Finalist Lineup: Ten selected finalists presented live speeches focusing on authenticity, vulnerability, and leadership journeys.
- Keynote Speaker: Actor Vijay Vikram Singh delivered a keynote address at the Mumbai gathering.
- Founding Vision: SBY Academy Founder and CEO Yukti Kapoor Mehandiratta initiated the championship to help leaders communicate authentically without being constrained by corporate hierarchy.
Why This Matters
According to event organisers and industry observations noted in the announcement, modern corporate environments are increasingly treating communication as a vital leadership competency rather than an auxiliary soft skill. By introducing a formal competition framework featuring rigorous judging criteria, the championship seeks to elevate authentic executive speaking into a structured discipline that highlights vulnerability and lived experience alongside traditional presentation skills.
What to Watch Next
SBY Academy has announced that the PowerSpeak Championship will operate as an annual initiative. Auditions for the upcoming second season are scheduled to open soon for corporate executives and business owners across India. In addition, the academy plans to broaden participation globally in future seasons by expanding both its applicant outreach and international jury representation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PowerSpeak Championship?
The PowerSpeak Championship is a public speaking competition launched by SBY Academy tailored specifically for corporate executives, business leaders, and entrepreneurs to express leadership insights and personal experiences.
Who founded the initiative?
The championship was founded by Yukti Kapoor Mehandiratta, Founder and CEO of SBY Academy and an ICF-accredited Erickson Certified Coach with prior leadership experience at global firms including Citi and Barclays.
How were the participants judged?
Semifinalists were reviewed online by an international jury from the Netherlands, Sweden, and the UAE utilizing a structured 15-point assessment model, which selected the top ten speakers for the Grand Finale in Mumbai.
Will there be another edition of the championship?
Yes. The organisers confirmed that the PowerSpeak Championship will be held annually, with future plans to expand into an international platform.
Source: SBY Academy via PNN announcement.