Mangaluru's Beach Startup Festival Emerge-2026 Concludes, Showcases Tier-2 Innovation
The third edition of All Cargo Emerge-2026, India's only startup beach festival, recently concluded at Tannirbhavi Beach in Mangaluru. Under the guidance of the office of the principal scientific adviser to the Government of India, this unique event demonstrated how Tier-2 regions can become unconventional innovation hotspots.
A Three-Day Celebration of Innovation
The festival spanned three days and attracted a diverse crowd. Startups, investors, ecosystem enablers, government representatives, and the public all participated actively. Mangaluru emerged as a key player in fostering industry-startup collaboration on a world-class scale.
Emerge-2026 formed part of the larger Mangaluru Beach Festival. This public celebration featured national-level sporting events and cultural performances. Activities included the Mangaluru Triathlon, sea swimming championships, cycling races, and beach wrestling.
Core Platform for National Initiative
Emerge serves as a core implementation platform for Utthan, a national initiative by the office of the principal scientific adviser. The Section Infin8 Foundation executed the event with support from various ecosystem partners.
Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, the principal scientific adviser, highlighted the relevance of such festivals. He stated that startup beach festivals like Emerge effectively bring together innovators, industry leaders, investors, and policymakers in an open and engaging environment.
Key Highlights and Competitions
The festival featured several notable events. The finale of the CREDAI–Mangaluru BuildSmart Innovation Challenge took center stage. This nationwide, industry-led initiative addressed real-world challenges in real estate and construction.
Another major attraction was the Emerge Silicon Beach Shark Tank. Curated by XElevate Ventures at the WrkWrk Triangle, it drew over 120 startup applications from across India. Thirteen selected startups pitched their ideas to investors from Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Gurugram.
Milestones and Future Plans
The event marked a significant milestone for Utthan, completing one year since its formal launch. Sapna Poti, director of the Strategic Alliances Division in the office of the principal scientific adviser, emphasized the importance of platforms like Emerge. She noted their role in nurturing innovation in Tier-2 and Tier-3 regions.
Poti also announced exciting future developments. Karnataka's first RuTAGe Smart Village Centres (RSVCs) will soon launch from the DK region. Centres are planned for Udupi and Mangaluru districts, further boosting local innovation.
