Viksit Bharat · From Vidarbha to Global
Vidarbh Innovation Summit 2026
One platform where Vidarbha's students, startups, incubators, investors and government departments come together to build, pitch and grow.
Key dates
The road to Summit Day
- 3 Nov 2026Launch and registrations open
- 1st week of NovStartup applications openPitching
- Early DecApplications closeHackathonPitching
- 2nd week of DecHackathon online roundHackathon
- Mid to late DecHackathon physical roundHackathon
- To be announcedGrand finale and Summit Day
Exact dates will be published here.
About the summit
Built in Vidarbha, for the world
The Vidarbh Innovation Summit brings the region's whole innovation ecosystem onto one platform. New startups meet more than 20 incubators, investors and panels in one place, something not available elsewhere in the region.
Students and startups bring their own ideas to solve real problems in Vidarbha, in any domain. The strongest solutions are shown at the summit, in front of the people who can fund, incubate or adopt them.
The summit is a joint initiative of aiKart and SGBAU Research and Incubation Foundation, Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University.
Students and innovators
From colleges across Vidarbha and beyond.
Startups
Early and growth-stage companies from every sector.
Investors and incubators
20+ incubators and investors looking for the next growth story.
Government
Departments looking for solutions they can adopt.
Agenda
Summit Day
A full day of exhibitions, pitching and discussion. The date will be announced shortly.
Summit Day programme
Amravati · 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM- 9:00 AM
Registration and entry
QR-based entry for all visitors and delegates.
- All day
Startup and incubator expo
Curated startups and 20+ incubators with stalls and live demos. Expo details
- All day
Hackathon showcase
Hackathon finalists show their working solutions at a dedicated station. Hackathon details
- Through the day
Investor pitching
Selected startups pitch to investors. Pitching details
- Through the day
Panel discussions
Leaders from government, industry, incubators and investment on growing Vidarbha's startup ecosystem.
- Through the day
Government departments connect
Police and cyber cell, MIDC, District Industries Centre, agriculture and other departments meet startups and teams.
Session timings will be added once the summit date is final.
Ways to take part
Choose your track
Each track has its own page with the full details.
-
Hackathon
For college students and startups. Bring your own idea for a Vidarbha problem in any domain and compete for the ₹1 lakh prize pool.
-
Investor pitching
For registered startups. Get screened, then pitch directly to investors on Summit Day.
-
Expo stalls and demos
For startups and incubators. Show your product to thousands of visitors at the summit.
The region
This is Vidarbha
Forests, rivers, history and farmland across eleven districts. This is the home of the problems you will solve.
Tadoba Andhari Tiger ReserveChandrapur
Lonar Crater LakeBuldhana
Sevagram AshramWardha
Wainganga river, MarkandaGadchiroli
Kalidas Memorial, RamtekNagpur
Who you'll meet
The whole ecosystem under one roof
20+ incubators
Government, university and private incubators from across Maharashtra.
Government departments
Police, MIDC, District Industries Centre, agriculture, healthcare and more.
Investors
Investors and mentors looking for the region's next growth stories.
Colleges
Students, faculty and innovators from colleges across Vidarbha.
Partners
A joint initiative of
Bringing together AI technology and startup incubation for Vidarbha.
aiKart
SGBAU Research and Incubation Foundation
Anthropic
Technology partner
FAQ
General questions
When and where is the summit?
The summit is in Amravati, Maharashtra. The Summit Day date will be announced on this page shortly.
Is there an entry fee for visitors?
Visitor entry details will be shared with the final date. Entry on the day is by QR scan.
Can school students take part?
Not in this hackathon. School students will be covered separately through a School Connect programme.
Who is behind the summit?
The summit is a joint initiative of aiKart and SGBAU Research and Incubation Foundation (Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University).
The Hackathon
Solve a Vidarbha problem. Take it global. An open hackathon for college students and startups, judged by experts from your own field.
- Domains
- Open to every domain
- Prize pool
- ₹1,00,000
- Registration fee
- ₹1,499
How it works
From application to the summit stage
- From 3 Nov
Register and apply
Pay the fee, choose your domain and upload your pitch deck.
- Ongoing
Screening
Entries are reviewed as they arrive. Results come with the shortlist.
- 2nd week of Dec
Online round
Shortlisted teams present to domain juries online.
- About 5 days later
Physical round
About 15 teams present in person in Amravati.
- Before Summit Day
Grand finale
Top teams are ranked overall and showcased at the summit.
Focus areas
Open to every domain
- Artificial Intelligence
- Robotics
- Defence Technology
- Drones
- Internet of Things
- Agriculture
- Healthcare
The theme is open. There are no fixed categories or problem statements: bring your own idea for a real Vidarbha problem in any domain. The focus areas above are only examples, and the top teams are ranked overall.
How entries are judged
- You choose your domain in the form
- Each entry goes to a jury from that field
- Entries are judged on a working solution or pilot
- Final results are an overall ranking across all domains
Who can apply
- College students from any discipline
- Startups up to 12 years old, with revenue under ₹100 crore
- Teams from outside Vidarbha are welcome, as long as the solution addresses a Vidarbha problem
What you'll need
- Team and contact details
- Your domain
- A short description of the problem and your solution
- Your pitch deck (upload)
- Registration fee of ₹1,499, paid online
What will you get?
Total prize pool of ₹1,00,000
-
₹50,0001st prize
-
₹30,0002nd prize
-
₹20,0003rd prize
- Consolation prizesFor other strong entries.
- Summit showcaseFinalists showcase their work at the summit.
- IncubationPromising teams may be offered incubation.
Register your team for the hackathon
Registration opens on 3 November 2026. After payment, you go straight to the form where you choose your domain and upload your pitch deck.
Registration fee
₹1,499
Early-bird price for the first 100 teams
Register nowOpen to college students and startups
FAQ
Hackathon questions
Are there separate categories or tracks?
No. The hackathon is open to every domain, and the top teams are ranked overall. You choose your domain in the form so that experts from your field judge your entry.
Can teams from outside Vidarbha apply?
Yes. Teams from Pune, Mumbai and other states are welcome, as long as their solution addresses a problem in Vidarbha.
Do we need a working prototype?
Entries are judged on a working solution or pilot, so the further along your solution is, the stronger your entry.
When will we hear if we are shortlisted?
Entries are screened as they arrive, and all teams are informed when the shortlist for the online round is announced.
Can school students take part?
Not in this hackathon. School students will be covered separately through a School Connect programme.
Investor Pitching
Put your startup in front of investors on Summit Day. Startups are screened before the summit, and the shortlist pitches directly to investors.
- Applications
- 1st week of Nov to 1st week of Dec
- Investor time
- 10 to 15 minutes
- Requirement
- Private Limited company
Pitch format
Two stages to the investor table
3 to 4 min
Screening pitch to the selection panel
10 to 15 min
Shortlisted startups pitch to investors
Who can pitch
- Startups from every sector
- Private Limited registration is required
- DPIIT recognition is not required. SRIF will help selected startups obtain it.
What you get
- Direct time with investors on Summit Day
- Access to 20+ incubators in one hall
- Access to incubator-run schemes such as Startup India
- Meetings with government departments looking for solutions
Selection
How startups are selected
All curation is completed before the summit.
- 1st week of Nov
Applications open
Submit your company details and pitch deck.
- 1st week of Dec
Applications close
Last date to apply.
- December
Screening pitch
A 3 to 4 minute pitch to the selection panel.
- 8 days before
Shortlist announced
Selected startups are told at least 8 days before the summit.
Apply to pitch at the summit
The startup call for applications opens in the first week of November 2026. Keep your pitch deck and company registration ready.
Startup applications
Opening soon
1st week of November to 1st week of December
Apply nowPrivate Limited startups from every sector
FAQ
Pitching questions
Does my startup need DPIIT recognition?
No. Private Limited registration is required; DPIIT recognition is not. SRIF will help selected startups get it during curation.
Is a specific sector required?
No. Startups from every sector can apply.
Who are the investors?
The investor list will be published on this page once the summit date is final.
Can a hackathon startup also pitch?
Rules for startups taking part in both will be published with the startup call.
Expo & Demos
A full-day expo of startups, incubators and hackathon prototypes. Set up a stall, run live demos and meet thousands of visitors, investors and officials.
- Timing
- Summit Day, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Expected visitors
- 5,000+
- Incubators
- 20+ with stalls
Who exhibits
Startups, incubators and prototypes
Expo space is planned at about 70% startups and 30% incubators.
Curated startups
Startups selected through the call for applications, from every sector.
Incubators
12 to 13 government and university incubators from Maharashtra, plus private incubators.
Hackathon prototypes
Working solutions from the hackathon finalists, including hardware.
What each stall gets
- A stall space in the expo hall
- Room for a representative and live demos
- Space for pamphlets and a QR code so visitors can connect
- Listing in the summit's exhibitor directory
Running a good demo
- Bring a working product or prototype visitors can try
- Hardware demos are welcome
- Keep a one-page summary and contact QR ready
- Power and stall layout details will be shared with selected exhibitors
Hackathon showcase
A dedicated station for hackathon finalists
The hackathon finale runs before Summit Day. Its finalists then show their working solutions at a dedicated showcase station in the expo, in front of investors, incubators and government departments.
Finalists
The top teams from the grand finale.
Live prototypes
Software and hardware, shown working.
Incubation talks
Promising teams may be offered incubation.
Adoption
Government departments see solutions they can put to work.
Visitors
Who walks the expo floor
Students
From colleges across Vidarbha.
Professors
Faculty and principals from the region.
Investors
Looking for startups to back.
Officials
Government departments and leaders.
Book a stall at the expo
Startups apply for a stall through the startup call for applications. Incubators interested in a stall can register their interest with SRIF.
Stall booking
Opening soon
Startup call opens in the 1st week of November
Book a stallStall layout will be shared once the venue is final
FAQ
Expo questions
Who can get a stall?
Curated startups selected through the call for applications, incubators, and the hackathon finalists at the showcase station.
Can we bring hardware?
Yes. Hardware prototypes and live demos are welcome.
Is there a stall fee?
Stall details, including any fee, will be shared with selected exhibitors.
When will we know our stall location?
The stall layout will be shared once the venue is measured and the date is final.
Hackathon registration
Register your team, pay the fee, then submit your idea and pitch deck.
Apply to pitch
Tell us about your startup. Shortlisted startups give a 3 to 4 minute screening pitch, then 10 to 15 minutes with investors on Summit Day.
Book an expo stall
For startups, incubators and organisations that want to show their work at the summit expo.