Media Release
Mangaluru, Mar 28: The inaugural ceremony of the Nitte-MRPL Coastal Startup Fest 2026 was held with great enthusiasm and was formally inaugurated with the traditional lamp-lighting ceremony by Prof Dr B Satheesh Kumar Bhandary, vice president (ISR & CRL), NITTE (DU); Chetan Dixit, vice president, Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM); Nithin Panchmal, founder & CEO, Invaria Technology; Arvind Shrivastav, senior centre director, Fiza by Nexus; CA S S Nayak, MSME and startup mentor; and Dr A P Achar, chief executive officer, AIC-Nitte Incubation Centre.
The two-day festival, being held on March 28 and 29 at Fiza by Nexus Mall, brings together entrepreneurs, students, industry leaders, and policymakers under one roof.
The event will commence with an inauguration followed by a panel discussion on “Innovation Beyond Metros.” A major highlight is Spark 2026, a premier student business idea competition featuring multiple rounds and finals.
The fest will also host a Coastal Startup Expo & Investor Summit, offering networking and funding opportunities. Another key session includes a panel discussion on funding, scaling, and sustainability of startups.
Participants will get a platform to showcase ideas, connect with mentors, and explore collaborations. The event will conclude with the Coastal Startup Excellence Awards recognising outstanding innovations.
The festival aims to foster innovation beyond metro cities by enabling startups, investors, and aspiring entrepreneurs to connect, collaborate, and grow. The event features startup showcases, networking opportunities, and ecosystem-building initiatives focused on empowering tier-2 cities and coastal regions.
AIC-Nitte Incubation Centre, K-Tech Innovation Hub and NITTE-GOK Centre of Excellence in Aquamarine Innovation is set to host the Coastal Startup Fest 2026, a dynamic platform celebrating innovation, entrepreneurship, and startup ecosystems in coastal Karnataka.
The organisers have extended an open invitation to students, entrepreneurs, and the public to be part of this vibrant startup celebration.
The event is jointly organized by AIC-Nitte Incubation Centre, K-Tech Innovation Hub and NITTE-GOK Centre of Excellence in Aquamarine Innovation with strategic support from Karnataka Digital Economy Mission and outreach partner Vertex Workspace. The fest is further supported by leading organizations including ONGC MRPL, Canara Bank, TagSkills EdTech, and SIDBI.
With an expected large public turnout, the Coastal Startup Fest 2026 presents a unique opportunity to showcase innovation, promotes entrepreneurship, and strengthens the regional startup ecosystem.
For more details, contact | 80505 39557 / 85499 15065 | www.aicnitte.com