Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Manipal, will host the Manipal Entrepreneurship Summit 2026 (MES 2026) from February 12 to 14, bringing together students, startups, investors, industry leaders, creators, and policymakers from across the country. Organised by the Entrepreneurship Cell of MIT, the summit is one of India’s largest student-led platforms dedicated to entrepreneurship and innovation.
A constituent institute of the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence, MIT aims to use MES 2026 as a catalyst for collaboration, idea exchange, and startup growth. Over three days, the summit will focus on nurturing innovation-driven thinking through a mix of keynote addresses, competitive pitching, startup exhibitions, and policy discussions.
Recognised for its energetic and inclusive format, the Manipal Entrepreneurship Summit has steadily evolved into a national platform that bridges academia and industry. It provides young innovators with direct access to experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and domain experts, helping convert early-stage ideas into viable ventures.
Highlighting the institutional vision behind the initiative, Lt Gen (Dr) M. D. Venkatesh (Retd.), Vice Chancellor, MAHE, said the summit reflects MAHE’s commitment to innovation-led education and entrepreneurship as drivers of national development. He noted that bringing together stakeholders from academia, industry, startups, and policy circles strengthens the ecosystem for building scalable and socially relevant ventures.
Dr (Cdr) Anil Rana, Director, MIT Manipal, said MES 2026 underlines the institute’s focus on experiential learning beyond the classroom. According to him, such platforms play a crucial role in preparing students to become future-ready entrepreneurs and job creators in a rapidly changing global economy.
The summit will feature keynote and guest sessions by noted entrepreneurs and creators, including Shantanu Deshpande, Ankur Warikoo, and Sahiba Bali, whose journeys across startups, content creation, and brand building are expected to inspire young founders.
A major attraction of MES 2026 is Pitch Tank, a pan-India startup pitching competition. More than 650 participants and over 100 teams will present their ideas before venture capitalists and angel investors, competing for a prize pool of ₹1.5 lakh, along with mentorship and potential funding opportunities.
Another key highlight is the Innovation Mela, a large-scale startup expo showcasing over 150 startups, MSMEs, research labs, and student innovators. The expo is expected to draw more than 22,000 visitors, offering startups visibility, partnerships, and direct industry engagement.
This year’s edition will also introduce the Innovation Policy Consortium, a national inter-college initiative where student bodies will collaboratively develop policy recommendations to address challenges in India’s startup ecosystem. The summit will conclude with an Influencers’ Conclave, featuring entrepreneur-creators such as Parul Gulati and Gaurav Taneja (Flying Beast).
With a legacy of over 25,000 attendees across previous editions, MES 2026 continues to strengthen Manipal’s position as a leading hub for entrepreneurship and innovation in India.
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