Neel AcharyMAHE Strengthens Innovation Ecosystem with Launch of MARInE.ai and AI-focused Hackathon
Manipal, 4th November, 2025: Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Manipal a constituent unit of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, launched the MARInE.ai (Manipal Accelerating Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship) initiative on 24th October 2025, marking a major step toward positioning MAHE as a national hub for responsible and interdisciplinary innovation.
The launch also featured a one-day workshop on “AI Decision Framework: From Ideas to Impact with GenAI & Agentic AI” and a Hackathon on Agentic AI, jointly organized by the Manipal Universal Technology Business Incubator (MUTBI) and MIT Manipal.
Speaking on the occasion, Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh, VSM (Retd.), Vice Chancellor, MAHE, emphasized that, “The initiative serves as a vital bridge between research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. In addition to the MARInE.ai vertical, other upcoming verticals under MARInE will play a key role in translating research into real-world entrepreneurial ventures, fostering innovation, employment generation, and wealth creation.”
In his address Mr. Praveen Kumar Kalbhavi, Managing Director & CEO, Novigo Solutions, Mangaluru, said, “Research carried out at the university should be translated into real-world applications to create meaningful impact. This remarkable initiative deserves to be emulated by institutions across the globe.”
Dr. Chandrakala C. B., Joint Director, MIT Manipal, remarked that “The theme of the workshop aptly captures the spirit that MIT strives to nurture — translating knowledge into meaningful outcomes that drive innovation and contribute to societal progress.”
The event was coordinated by Dr. Santhosha Rao, CEO, MUTBI and Program Coordinator, MARInE; Dr. Balachandra, Professor, School of Computer Engineering, MIT Manipal, and Convener of MARInE.ai; along with Dr. Nisha P. Shetty and Dr. Akshay K. C., Co-Conveners of MARInE.ai.
The event was supported by Directorate of Research, Manipal–GoK Bioincubator, Innovation Center, Corporate Relations, AI Center of Excellence on Health, Department of AI in Healthcare, Manga & Anime Club, Cryptonite, and The Data Alchemists. The workshop was sponsored by MeitY Startup Hub, while the Hackathon was supported by Catalift Innovations Pvt. Ltd.
Bringing together academia, industry experts, and student innovators, the launch of MARInE.ai successfully set the stage for collaborative innovation, interdisciplinary research, and entrepreneurial growth, further strengthening MAHE’s commitment to driving technological advancement and societal impact.
