Gateway to Northeast India is Home to Newest Chapter in EO’s Global Network

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA, USA (24 June 2026) — EO Siliguri, located in a strategic area that connects India with Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and the country’s Northeast, is the fifth new chapter to join Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) this year. The chapter strengthens EO’s footprint in South Asia: It’s the 36^th chapter in the region, which is home to more than 3,400 EO members.

Resting in West Bengal’s Himalayan foothills, Siliguri is widely known as the “gateway to Northeast India” because it links mainland India to the northeastern states as well as neighboring countries.

This strategic position has shaped the city into a major hub for trade, logistics, and tourism and a long-established tea industry — driving a business environment dominated by small- and medium-sized enterprises, particularly family-owned companies.

“Launching EO Siliguri is a defining milestone for our city and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Siliguri has long been home to ambitious entrepreneurs and multi-generational family businesses."

- Raunak Goyal, EO Siliguri Founding Chapter President 

All 25 founding members of EO Siliguri come from family-owned businesses, which reflects the region’s deeply rooted entrepreneurial culture, where ownership, succession, and local networks play a central role in business growth.

With members representing industries spanning trade, services, real estate, hospitality, tea, and others, the chapter mirrors the city’s economic profile. The founding members’ median age is 46. Collectively, their businesses employ more than 8,700 people and garner US$289 million in annual revenue, with a median annual revenue of US$9 million. 

“Siliguri is not just a growing business hub, it is also the gateway to some of the most beautiful and culturally rich regions surrounding India,” said Ayush Bansal (EO Gurgaon), South Asia Area Director, a serial entrepreneur who builds and scales consumer footwear, luggage, and travel gear brands. “This gives the chapter a rare opportunity to curate highly differentiated EO experiences that combine entrepreneurship, culture, nature, wellness, and meaningful member connections in a way few places can offer.”

With a metro area population that exceeds 1 million and steady expansion driven by trade, tourism, and infrastructure development, Siliguri is emerging as a dynamic commercial center. Its role as a logistics corridor — supported by road, rail, and air connectivity — has fueled the rise of distribution businesses, real estate investment, and consumer-facing enterprises, creating fertile ground for entrepreneurial activity.

On 31 July, the chapter will host its first official learning event, focused on AI and its applications in business, featuring renowned AI futurist Raj Goodman.  

“Launching EO Siliguri is a defining milestone for our city and entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said founding Chapter President Raunak Goyal, who leads a diversified business group spanning distribution, retail, and real estate. “Siliguri has long been home to ambitious entrepreneurs and multi-generational family businesses. EO creates a platform where founders can learn from one another, access global perspectives, and accelerate both personal and business growth. I am proud to help bring EO to this region and excited about the impact it will have on the next generation of leaders.”

As EO continues to expand its presence in high-growth markets in Asia, the launch of EO Siliguri reflects the organization’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs in emerging business ecosystems worldwide — connecting local business owners to global networks, shared learning, and transformative experiences.

Visit EO Siliguri’s Instagram page to learn more.

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Notes to Editors:

About Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) - Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) is a global, not-for-profit membership community of 20,000 leading business founders and owners, representing more than 100 countries and 220+ chapters worldwide. Founded in 1987, EO helps entrepreneurs move the world forward by unlocking their full potential through the power of trusted connections, leadership development, and premier learning opportunities that support the whole person. 

About EO in South Asia

• Chapters: 36
• Members: 2,433
• Median tenure: 3.93 years
• Median EO member age: 44
• Median business revenue: US$12 million

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