NITTE & MRPL host Coastal Startup Fest 2026 in Mangaluru

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, March 30, 2026: The NITTE–MRPL Coastal Startup Fest 2026 commenced in the city with an enthusiastic inaugural ceremony held at Fiza by Nexus Mall. The event was formally launched with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony attended 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 and CEO of Invaria Technology; Arvind Shrivastav, Senior Centre Director, Fiza by Nexus; CA S. S. Nayak, MSME and startup mentor; and Dr. A. P. Achar, CEO, AIC-Nitte Incubation Centre.

The two-day festival, scheduled on March 28 and 29, brings together entrepreneurs, students, industry leaders, and policymakers on a common platform.

The programme features an inaugural session followed by a panel discussion on “Innovation Beyond Metros.” A key attraction of the fest is SPARK 2026, a student business idea competition with multiple rounds leading to the finals. The event also includes a Coastal Startup Expo and Investor Summit, offering opportunities for networking and funding.

Another session will focus on funding, scaling, and sustainability of startups. Participants will have the opportunity to showcase their ideas, interact with mentors, and explore collaborations. The festival will conclude with the Coastal Startup Excellence Awards to honour outstanding innovations.

The fest aims to promote innovation beyond metro cities by enabling startups, investors, and aspiring entrepreneurs to connect and grow. It features startup showcases, networking sessions, and ecosystem-building initiatives focused on empowering Tier-2 cities and coastal regions.

The event is hosted by AIC-Nitte Incubation Centre, K-Tech Innovation Hub, and the NITTE-GOK Centre of Excellence in Aquamarine Innovation. It is supported by the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission, with Vertex Workspace as the outreach partner.

The organisers have invited students, entrepreneurs, and the public to participate in the event. With an expected large turnout, the fest is seen as a significant platform to showcase innovation, promote entrepreneurship, and strengthen the regional startup ecosystem.

For details, contact: 80505 39557 / 85499 15065.