New Delhi, Delhi, India | 27th August 2025: The landscape of professional learning, leadership, and growth in India is transforming at an unprecedented pace. This shift took center stage at the SPARK Leadership Conclave & Awards 2025, held in Gurgaon, with the launch of a groundbreaking whitepaper, Powering Talent and Growth in India. The report highlights how digital coaching and mentoring platforms are fast becoming integral to India’s business and talent development strategies.
Global and Indian Market Outlook
The global coaching industry is experiencing explosive growth. Valued at USD 3.8 billion in 2025, it is expected to nearly triple to USD 11.1 billion by 2035, expanding at an impressive 11% CAGR.
India, however, stands out as a key driver of this momentum. Already the second-fastest-growing digital coaching market after China, India is projected to surge from USD 231.6 million in 2023 to USD 971 million by 2034, clocking a remarkable 14% CAGR, well above the global average. This makes India a pivotal force in shaping the future of coaching worldwide.
From Traditional Training to Digital-First Coaching
As businesses shift from conventional learning models to scalable, digital-first coaching solutions, India’s widespread mobile adoption and appetite for localized, accessible learning platforms are positioning the country at the forefront of this revolution.
“The future of coaching will be neuro-personalized, driven by real-time cognitive and emotional data, and guided by generative AI mentors,” said Anuranjita Kumar, CEO & Co-founder, WeAce. “We’re moving from performance-driven models to life-centric coaching, where wellbeing, purpose, and fulfilment matter as much as business outcomes.”
Coaching ROI: A Strategic Business Enabler
The whitepaper emphasizes that executive coaching delivers some of the highest HR investment returns globally, with ROI benchmarks ranging from 500% to 788%. In India, companies are already reporting 6–7x returns, driven by improved retention, productivity gains, and stronger leadership pipelines.
Far from being a discretionary cost, coaching is increasingly viewed as a strategic enabler of business growth and competitiveness.
Industry Leaders on the Future of Coaching
- Richard Rekhy, Vice Chairman, Grant Thornton Bharat LLP: “Digital platforms democratize coaching, extending its benefits beyond senior leaders to every employee. True impact begins when coaching becomes universal and lifelong.”
- CP Gurnani, Co-Founder & Vice Chairman, AlonOS: “AI-powered behavioral coaching interventions—personalized and measurable—are indispensable for building future-ready leaders.”
- Prachi Rastogi, Culture & Inclusion Leader, APAC & Japan, IBM: “Digital coaching transforms multigenerational workforces by tailoring learning for both Gen X and Gen Z. Every dollar invested strengthens leadership pipelines and productivity.”
Key Trends Shaping India’s Talent Development
The whitepaper highlights future-ready trends redefining leadership and talent ecosystems in India:
- AI-powered neuro-personalization for individualized coaching journeys
- Immersive VR/AR learning environments for experiential growth
- Hybrid coaching models blending digital scalability with the human touch
- Tier-II & Tier-III talent enablement through localized and scalable digital platforms
These innovations will be crucial in addressing India’s cultural diversity, skilling gaps, and the growing demand for advanced tech talent.
SPARK Leadership Conclave 2025: Spotlight on Future Leaders
Hosted by WeAce in partnership with IBM at The Westin, Gurgaon, the SPARK Leadership Conclave 2025 spotlighted themes such as empathetic leadership, Gen Z workforce integration, and AI-driven coaching. The conclave also celebrated organizations pioneering diversity, inclusion, and innovation in leadership through the SPARK Awards.
The Road Ahead: People Strategy as Business Strategy
With India emerging as a global hub for digital coaching and mentoring, the whitepaper underscores a clear message:
Future-ready organizations will treat people strategy as business strategy.
Companies that invest in scalable, tech-enabled coaching platforms will not only develop stronger leaders but also future-proof their growth in today’s rapidly evolving world of work.
