AIC Nitte Incubation Centre shines on national stage: Three innovators selected for Grassroots Innovator Recognition 2026

AIC Nitte Incubation Centre shines on national stage: Three innovators selected for Grassroots Innovator Recognition 2026

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Jul 23, 2026: AIC Nitte Incubation Centre, promoted by Nitte Education Trust in partnership with the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, has achieved a significant national milestone with three of its incubated startups being selected among the 26 innovators from across India for the prestigious Grassroots Innovator Recognition 2026.

The incubation centre, located at NMAM Institute of Technology, a constituent college of Nitte (Deemed to be University), saw three innovators—Akshay Mashelkar of Experimind Labs Pvt. Ltd., Anusha Prajwal of MaVedas Foods and Cereals Pvt. Ltd., and Rathnakar Naik of WWR Innovations Pvt. Ltd.—selected for the honour. They will be felicitated by the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, on July 31, 2026, in recognition of their contributions towards solving grassroots challenges through innovation.

Operating from a Tier-3 ecosystem, AIC Nitte Incubation Centre has emerged as a key driver of grassroots and technology-based innovation by identifying, mentoring and scaling ideas that address real-life challenges faced by farmers, rural communities and local entrepreneurs. Through structured incubation, expert mentorship, funding support and industry collaborations, the centre has helped transform innovative ideas into sustainable enterprises with national relevance.

The centre has supported more than 137 startups across sectors including agriculture, healthcare, education, food technology and rural livelihoods. It has also created opportunities for students from Nitte University and other higher education institutions to engage with startups through internships, live projects, mentorship and entrepreneurial learning, strengthening the region’s innovation ecosystem.

One of the selected innovators, Rathnakar Naik, a farmer from Karkala and founder of WWR Innovations Pvt. Ltd., developed ATMAS (Automatic Tank Monitoring and Automation System), a wireless water management solution designed to improve irrigation and water conservation in rural areas. Using long-range LoRa communication technology, the system operates without SIM cards or Wi-Fi, making it suitable for remote agricultural regions. It automatically monitors water levels, prevents tank overflows, protects pumps from dry running, reduces electrical risks, and helps conserve water and electricity.

Another awardee, Anusha Prajwal, founder of MaVedas Foods and Cereals Pvt. Ltd., has revived traditional Ayurvedic nutritional practices by developing scientifically standardised, preservative-free food products for maternal and infant health. Her venture produces ready-to-consume nutritional products such as Methi Sathva and Bananthi Leha, combining traditional formulations with modern food safety standards. The enterprise also supports rural women through local sourcing and production while preserving India’s traditional food heritage.

The third innovator, Akshay Mashelkar, Founder and CEO of Experimind Labs Pvt. Ltd., has been recognised for promoting experiential STEM education through hands-on learning solutions. His company develops STEM kits, science models, educational toys and activity-based learning tools aimed at making science and mathematics more engaging and accessible, particularly for children in rural and underserved communities.

The selection of three innovators from a single incubation centre marks a significant achievement for AIC Nitte Incubation Centre and Karnataka’s startup ecosystem. The recognised ventures, spanning water management, maternal and infant nutrition, and STEM education, highlight the growing impact of grassroots innovation emerging from coastal Karnataka.

The achievement also reinforces AIC Nitte Incubation Centre’s commitment to nurturing entrepreneurs, supporting student innovation, and building an inclusive ecosystem that transforms locally developed solutions into enterprises with national impact.