Media Release

Udupi, Apr 9: Manipal Academy of Higher Education hosted the second edition of FINENT 25, the annual flagship conclave of the Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Manipal, on April 4.

Bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and academics, the event served as a vibrant platform to explore the idea of evolving intersections of finance, technology, and entrepreneurship.

Organised by the department of Humanities and Management, MIT Manipal, the conclave was held in collaboration with FIS Global, dlabs Hyderabad, and Young Indians, Mangaluru.

The event was inaugurated by Madhav Nair, CEO – India, Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait, and honorary secretary of the Indian Bank Association, serving as chief guest.

An alumnus of MIT’s 1993 batch, Nair reflected on his journey from engineering to banking. Drawing parallels between personal choices and broader economic shifts, he urged students to ‘catch the wave’ of change staying alert to trends, continuously upgrading their knowledge, and embracing responsible innovation in the fintech domain.

Ramkumar Narayanan, EVP, Technology & Services (India & Philippines), FIS Global, the guest of honour, spoke on entrepreneurship, technology, and finance as three forces that will define the future. He encouraged students to leverage these fields for innovation but to consider how they can be used for broader social impact.

Presiding over the session, Cdr (Dr) Anil Rana, director, MIT Manipal, highlighted the institution’s forward-looking initiatives in semiconductor technology, Healthtech, and fintech. He emphasised the importance of proactive skilling, urging students to tap into freely available certification opportunities that align with emerging industry demands.

Madhav Nair delivered a keynote address titled ‘Viksit Bharat – Role of the banking sector,’ examining how the banking industry plays a vital role in India’s growth story.

Ramkumar Narayanan spoke on ‘AI Opportunities in Fintech,’ exploring how artificial intelligence can be harnessed to improve customer experiences and drive innovation in financial services.

In his keynote, Upendra Namburi, ideator and founder of ideaearth, explored ‘New age entrepreneurial opportunities in Fintech,’ providing insights into emerging business models and the skills needed to thrive in a digital economy.

In a lively fireside chat, Shiv Ram Krishna Pande, a 2011 MIT, Manipal alumnus and founding team member at BitSave, discussed the relevance and future of cryptocurrency in a session titled ‘Bitcoin Matters.’ Another engaging segment, ‘Author’s Voice,’ featured Dr Varadharaju Janardhanan, VP – HR at Flipkart and author of two motivational books. He spoke about the entrepreneurial mindset, leadership, and innovation, drawing lessons from his own experience and writing.

The Finent 25 conclave featured a significant panel discussion on ‘Building a Fintech Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in India,’ moderated by FIS Global's senior VP Venu Madhav with experts from BlackRock, Green Light, ideaearth, Equifax, and SP Jain School of Global Management.

The panelists explored India's fintech landscape, startup challenges, and ecosystem development strategies.

The event concluded with a valedictory session emphasizing innovation and entrepreneurship, drawing inspiration from MAHE founder Dr T M A Pai, with Dr Varadharaju Janardhanan as chief guest and Venu Madhav as guest of honour, presided over by MIT Manipal's joint director Dr Somashekara Bhat.

The conference was organised under Dr Yogesh Pai P, with Lidwin Kenneth Michael and Dr Rajesh R Pai serving as convenors, supported by co-convenors Dr Sumukh S Hungund and Dr Raveendra Rao.