

Bengaluru: Karnataka showcased its next generation of student innovators at the NAIN Innovation Conclave, highlighting cutting-edge, student-led solutions across sectors such as AI, healthcare, sustainability, and digital infrastructure.
The one-day conclave, held at the IIIT-B Innovation Centre, brought together student innovators, industry leaders, and government representatives, providing a platform to present solutions aligned with real-world challenges and national priorities.
"Karnataka has consistently been at the forefront of innovation, and through initiatives like New Age Incubation Network, we are strengthening this leadership by taking innovation beyond Bengaluru and into institutions across the state," said Manjula N, Secretary to the Government, Department of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology, and Science and Technology.
According to a statement issued on Thursday, the statewide NAIN network now spans 76 institutions, supports over 2,300 students, has funded more than 600 projects, and has enabled the creation of over 60 startups, reflecting the growing scale of the programme.
The event featured an innovation showcase, operational briefings on intellectual property and commercialisation, and recognition of outstanding student innovators. It also served as a bridge between academia, industry, and government to accelerate innovation pathways.
"The NAIN Innovation Conclave represents the culmination of our students' creativity and technical excellence," said Lakshmi Jagannathan, CEO of the IIIT-B Innovation Centre, noting that students are leveraging emerging technologies to address complex societal challenges.
Prof Debabrata Das, Director of IIIT-Bengaluru, said, "Our students are not just learning technology; they are creating solutions with the potential to transform lives and strengthen our nation's resilience."
Among the projects showcased were a drone-based disaster monitoring system with ground-penetrating radar for glacier analysis; a sensor-based kabaddi mat for real-time decision-making; eco-friendly paper production using areca nut waste; an AI-enabled Braille learning device with EEG-based cognitive assessment; and a smart IV monitoring system to enhance patient safety, among others.
Officials said the programme is increasingly focusing on intellectual property creation and commercialisation, with over 60 patents and filings, as Karnataka continues to build a distributed and inclusive innovation ecosystem beyond Bengaluru.
This report was published from a syndicated wire feed. Apart from the headline, the EdexLive Desk has not edited the copy.