Mangaluru: The Formal Launch of Coastal Startup Fest 2026 was held at The Ocean Pearl, Mangaluru, marking the beginning of a flagship initiative aimed at positioning the Mangaluru–Udupi corridor as a leading Tier-2 innovation hub in India. The event brought together key stakeholders from the startup ecosystem, signalling strong regional momentum towards innovation-led growth and entrepreneurship.
Coastal Startup Fest 2026 is a collaborative initiative of the AIC-Nitte Incubation Centre, K-Tech Innovation Hub, and the NITTE–Government of Karnataka Centre of Excellence in Aquamarine Innovation. The two-day festival is designed to connect curated startups with angel investors, industry leaders, academia, and ecosystem partners, fostering collaboration, investment opportunities, and sustainable economic development.
Vision behind Coastal Startup Fest 2026
The launch programme began with a welcome address by Dr A. P. Achar, Chief Executive Officer, AIC-Nitte Incubation Centre, who outlined the vision of building a strong, inclusive startup ecosystem along the Karnataka coast. He emphasised that Coastal Startup Fest 2026 aims to create a vibrant platform for innovation by leveraging regional strengths, academic excellence, and industry partnerships.
The formal inauguration was marked by the traditional lighting of the lamp, followed by the unveiling of the programme brochure by Mr Ameet Ganu S., General Manager – Corporate Strategy, MRPL, officially launching the festival.
Dignitaries and ecosystem leaders in attendance
The event was graced by several eminent Guests of Honour representing banking, industry, academia, and entrepreneurship. These included Mr Poornachandra, AGM, Canara Bank, Udupi; Mr Divakar Kochikar Pai, Vice President, KCCI; CA S. S. Nayak, MSME and Startup Mentor; Ms Athmika Amin, Industry–Academia Panel Convenor, CII Mangaluru; Dr Vijayendra Vasanth, Secretary, Udupi Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Mr Prashun Shetty, Founder and CEO, TagSkills EdTech Pvt. Ltd.
Their presence reflected the collective commitment of financial institutions, industry bodies, mentors, and entrepreneurs to nurture startups in the coastal region. Startup founders, investors, incubators, academic institutions, and government representatives also attended, underlining the broad-based support for the initiative.
Strengthening the coastal startup ecosystem
Addressing the gathering, Mr Ameet Ganu S. highlighted the transformative role startups play in economic development and societal progress. He noted that initiatives like Coastal Startup Fest are crucial in enabling innovation, attracting investment, and creating employment opportunities, especially in Tier-2 cities such as Mangaluru.
Mr Poornachandra of Canara Bank spoke about the growing contribution of coastal startups to the Indian economy and highlighted government initiatives such as Make in India and Startup India that continue to support entrepreneurs through policy, funding, and infrastructure.
Mr Prashun Shetty stressed that young innovators and students are at the heart of Coastal Startup Fest 2026. He encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to actively engage with the opportunities created by government programmes and industry partnerships, noting that platforms like this festival can accelerate learning and growth.
Industry–academia collaboration and mentorship
Ms Athmika Amin of CII Mangaluru emphasised the importance of creating awareness among young innovators about the realities of the entrepreneurial journey. She highlighted the role of industry–academia collaboration in translating ideas into scalable solutions.
CA S. S. Nayak urged young minds to explore the vast opportunities within the startup ecosystem, adding that the strength of the organising team and partners reflects the credibility and long-term vision of Coastal Startup Fest 2026.
Mr Divakar Kochikar Pai advised aspiring entrepreneurs to look beyond conventional IT startups and explore emerging domains such as AgriTech, FinTech, and HealthTech, focusing on addressing real societal challenges through innovation.
Dr Vijayendra Vasanth remarked that opportunity alone is not enough, stating, “An ordinary man waits for opportunity, a wise man uses opportunity, and an extraordinary man turns opportunity into reality,” encouraging startups to act decisively and creatively.
What to expect at Coastal Startup Fest 2026
The main Coastal Startup Fest 2026 is scheduled to be held on March 28 and 29, 2026, at Fiza by Nexus Mall, Mangaluru. The festival will feature a range of high-impact programmes, including SPARK 2026 – a Student Business Idea Challenge offering cash prizes and six months of mentorship.
The Coastal Startup Expo and Investor Summit will host interactive booths, startup pitch sessions, and provide visibility to over 60,000 visitors. The Coastal Startup Excellence Awards will recognise achievements such as Startup of the Year, Innovation Excellence, and Social Impact Pioneer.
Other key components include an Industry–Academia Roundtable to promote campus-led innovation and structured investor networking sessions, targeting more than 50 curated interactions between startups and investors.
Partnerships and support
Coastal Startup Fest 2026 is organised by AIC-Nitte Incubation Centre, K-Tech Innovation Hub, and the NITTE–GOK Centre of Excellence in Aquamarine Innovation, in partnership with Fiza by Nexus Mall, Mangaluru, with KDEM as the Strategic Partner. The event is supported by MRPL, Canara Bank, and TagSkills EdTech Pvt. Ltd., reflecting strong public–private collaboration.
The launch event received extensive coverage from print, electronic, and digital media, ensuring wide visibility and outreach across Karnataka.
Conclusion
The formal launch of Coastal Startup Fest 2026 marks a significant milestone in strengthening the startup ecosystem of coastal Karnataka. By bringing together startups, investors, industry leaders, academia, and policymakers, the festival aims to transform the Mangaluru–Udupi corridor into a dynamic innovation hub. With its diverse programmes, strong partnerships, and regional focus, Coastal Startup Fest 2026 is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of entrepreneurship in the region.