Want to become a billionaire? National Stock Exchange (NSE) CEO Ashishkumar Chauhan has a straightforward tip: list your business on the NSE. Speaking at a recent event, Chauhan highlighted the potential for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) on the exchange to grow into billion-dollar companies, positioning the NSE as a launchpad for ambitious entrepreneurs.

“Simply put, if you want to become a billionaire, list on NSE,” Chauhan said, noting that 200 MSMEs have joined the exchange over the past year. He credited India’s evolving investment landscape, where stock markets have overtaken traditional preferences like real estate and gold. From 16 million investors in 2014, India now boasts 110 million, with 50 million regularly investing via Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs).

Chauhan emphasized NSE’s efforts to educate retail investors on safe, long-term investing, boosting participation and wealth creation. India’s robust market infrastructure, digital platforms, and stable regulations make it an attractive hub for businesses seeking capital. Unlike volatile global markets, India’s domestic investor base offers steady funding, a strength amid shifting global dynamics. He pointed to declining U.S. influence over institutions like the UN and WTO, urging India to leverage bilateral agreements in the emerging economic order.

With its growing investor pool and supportive ecosystem, the NSE is poised to drive entrepreneurial success, Chauhan concluded.