Mangaluru : The two-day Nitte-MRPL Coastal Startup Fest 2026 concluded with a grand success at Fiza by Nexus Mall in Mangaluru, culminating in a prestigious awards ceremony.

The event served as a significant milestone for the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem, bringing together a diverse group of students, industry veterans, and policymakers. Hon'ble Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, U.T. Khader Fareed, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, joined by distinguished academic and industry leaders including Dr. Ashok S. Alur and Dr. S. Glory Swaroopa.

During the ceremony, Speaker U.T. Khader Fareed delivered an inspiring address, highlighting the ingenuity of local youth who recently developed a pilotless flight prototype through crowdfunding. He emphasized that the Coastal Startup Fest provides a vital platform for young minds to showcase their talents and exchange innovative ideas. The festival featured high-impact sessions such as the "Innovation Beyond Metros" panel and the "SPARK 2026" student business competition, alongside an Investor Summit that facilitated critical networking and funding opportunities for emerging businesses.

The awards ceremony recognized excellence across several categories, honoring trailblazers who are driving change in the region. The Social Impact Pioneer Awards were presented to RAAKAA Initiative and Mavedas Foods, while Singularity Automobile and WWR Innovations took home the Emerging Venture Awards. Technical brilliance was recognized with the Innovation Excellence Award going to TAD Aircon, and the People's Choice Award was secured by Samridh Organics. The event also celebrated women's entrepreneurship through the POWER platform and identified "Young Entrepreneurs of the Year" from prestigious institutions like St. Joseph's Engineering College and NITK Surathkal.

By successfully bridging the gap between raw ideas and professional mentorship, the Nitte-MRPL Coastal Startup Fest has reinforced the vision of establishing the Mangaluru-Udupi corridor as a premier Tier-2 innovation hub. The organizers, led by Secretary of UCCI Dr. Vijayendra Vasant, concluded the event by celebrating the collaborative spirit that promises a bright future for the coastal startup landscape.