Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh – September 2, 2025: The Atal Incubation Centre – Sri Krishnadevaraya University (AIC-SKU) has achieved significant milestones in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, with its pre-incubatee team securing first place at the prestigious HIdeathon 2025 competition while simultaneously facilitating a groundbreaking women entrepreneurship program.
Student Innovation Excellence at HIdeathon 2025
The pre-incubatee team “Innovative Integrated Solutions,” featuring Nageswara Rao Mounika Lakshmi from Sri Krishnadevaraya University College of Engineering and Technology (SKUCET), emerged victorious at HIdeathon 2025, part of the Pride of Hyderabad Awards – Season 4. The competition, organized by Gurthimpu Foundation in partnership with DEET and the Government of Telangana, represents one of India’s most competitive student innovation platforms.
Competition Journey and Results
The rigorous five-phase competition, conducted from June 26 to August 21, 2025, witnessed exceptional participation with over 600 student team applications from across the nation. The selection process demonstrated the high caliber of innovation emerging from Indian universities:
- Phase 1: 600+ initial applications nationwide
- Phase 2: 150 teams advanced to the next round
- Phase 3: 62 teams qualified for further evaluation
- Phase 4: 25 teams reached the semi-final stage, including two pre-incubatee teams from SKUCET under AIC-SKU mentorship
- Phase 5 (Grand Finale): Conducted at T-Hub, Hyderabad on August 21, where the SKUCET team secured the championship and a cash prize of ₹35,000
Comprehensive Mentorship and Support Framework
AIC-SKU’s success in nurturing winning innovation stems from its holistic support ecosystem, which provided the student teams with:
- Structured Mentoring Programs: Regular guidance sessions with industry experts and academic mentors
- Prototype Development Support: Access to state-of-the-art facilities and technical resources
- Funding Assistance: Financial backing for research, development, and prototype creation
- Pitch Presentation Training: Comprehensive preparation for investor presentations and competition pitches
Official Recognition and Celebration
The achievement was formally recognized during a felicitation ceremony held on August 22, 2025, at the Vice-Chancellor’s Chamber, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur. The celebration brought together key academic and administrative leaders:
- Prof. B. Anitha, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Sri Krishnadevaraya University
- B. Ramesh Babu, Registrar, Sri Krishnadevaraya University
- Dr. Ramachandra, Principal, SKUCET
- Dr. C. Chandramouli, CEO, AIC-SKU
- Additional university dignitaries and faculty members
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: The Naripreneur Initiative
Parallel to its student innovation success, AIC-SKU has been instrumental in facilitating the “Naripreneur” program, a transformative initiative organized by Heifer International. This program addresses the critical need for women’s economic empowerment through comprehensive entrepreneurship development.
Program Objectives and Impact
The Naripreneur initiative focuses on:
- Skill Development: Comprehensive training in business fundamentals and industry-specific competencies
- Business Knowledge Transfer: Practical insights into market dynamics, financial management, and operational excellence
- Networking Opportunities: Building connections between women entrepreneurs, mentors, and industry stakeholders
- Sustainable Business Growth: Long-term strategies for business sustainability and scalability
Expert Resource Network
The program featured a distinguished panel of resource persons with extensive expertise across multiple domains:
- Dr. C. Chandra Mouli – CEO, AIC-SKU
- Dr. P. Jyothi – Incubation Associate, AIC-SKU
- B. Rajasekhar – Business Development Expert
- Ajith Kumar – Financial Advisory Specialist
- Srujana – Marketing and Strategy Consultant
- Srinivas – Operations Management Expert
- Ravi Kumar – Technology Integration Specialist
- Representatives from APIS and APSFC – Policy and Financial Institution Perspectives
Infrastructure and Facilitation Excellence
As the facilitating partner, AIC-SKU provided comprehensive logistical and technical support:
- Premium Training Facility: 50-seater capacity hall with modern amenities
- Advanced Audio-Visual Setup: High-definition projector and plug-and-play presentation systems
- Professional Sound System: PA system ensuring clear communication across all sessions
- Comprehensive Materials: Complete stationery packages for all participants
- Expert Coordination: Seamless connection and coordination with resource persons
Strategic Impact on Regional Innovation Ecosystem
These concurrent achievements underscore AIC-SKU’s multifaceted approach to ecosystem development, addressing both emerging talent cultivation and inclusive entrepreneurship. The organization’s success in both student innovation and women entrepreneurship development demonstrates its comprehensive understanding of India’s diverse innovation landscape.
Key Success Factors
Student Innovation Success:
- Systematic mentorship approach combining academic rigor with practical industry exposure
- Comprehensive resource allocation spanning financial, technical, and strategic support
- Strong partnerships with leading innovation hubs like T-Hub, Hyderabad
- Focus on prototype development and market-ready solutions
Women Entrepreneurship Empowerment:
- Collaborative partnerships with international development organizations
- Multi-stakeholder approach involving academic, corporate, and policy perspectives
- Infrastructure excellence enabling effective knowledge transfer
- Sustainable capacity building for long-term economic impact
About AIC-SKU: Driving Inclusive Innovation
The Atal Incubation Centre – Sri Krishnadevaraya University operates as a not-for-profit Section-8 company, receiving strategic support from the Atal Innovation Mission under NITI Aayog and the Andhra Pradesh Innovation Society. The organization has established itself as a cornerstone of regional innovation across multiple critical sectors.
Sector Focus Areas
AIC-SKU’s comprehensive approach addresses key economic priorities:
- Agriculture and Food Processing: Developing solutions for food security and agricultural productivity
- Information Technology: Creating digital solutions for rural and urban applications
- Renewable Energy: Advancing sustainable energy technologies and implementations
- Circular Economy: Promoting waste reduction and resource optimization
- Student Innovation: Nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators
Core Mission and Values
The organization’s mission centers on building an inclusive, grassroots innovation ecosystem that extends across Andhra Pradesh and beyond. This commitment manifests through:
- Mentoring Excellence: Providing structured guidance to emerging entrepreneurs
- Incubation Support: Offering comprehensive resources for startup development
- Program Innovation: Developing cutting-edge entrepreneurship development programs
- Community Impact: Creating sustainable economic opportunities at the grassroots level
Future Outlook and Continued Growth
The simultaneous success in student innovation competition and women entrepreneurship development positions AIC-SKU as a model for comprehensive innovation ecosystem development. The organization’s ability to excel across diverse stakeholder groups—from university students to established women entrepreneurs—demonstrates the effectiveness of its integrated approach.
Upcoming Initiatives
Building on these recent successes, AIC-SKU plans to:
- Expand mentorship programs to reach more student innovators across Andhra Pradesh
- Deepen partnerships with international development organizations for women entrepreneurship
- Develop new incubation tracks for emerging technology sectors
- Strengthen connections with leading innovation hubs across India
