AIC‑SKU concludes Acharya 10.0, empowering faculty to drive campus innovation

Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh | 17 December 2025: Atal Incubation Centre – Sri Krishnadevaraya University (AIC‑SKU) has successfully concluded Acharya 10.0, a three‑day Faculty Development Program (FDP) held from 9–11 December 2025, designed to strengthen innovation, entrepreneurship, and incubation capabilities across higher‑education institutions.

Three‑day FDP strengthens incubation and entrepreneurship capacity across HEIs

The program brought together faculty members from Sri RamaKrishna Degree College (Nandyal), Rajeev Gandhi Memorial College of Engineering & Technology (Nandyal), Sri Krishnadevaraya University College of Engineering & Technology (Anantapur), Ideal College (Kakinada), and MRUH Hyderabad, forming the 10th cohort under AIC‑SKU’s academic partnership model.

Day 1: Startup Ecosystem Orientation & Design Thinking
The inaugural session was led by Dr. Mouli, CEO, AIC‑SKU, who introduced the Acharya 10.0 framework and assessed participants’ understanding of the startup ecosystem through interactive Mentimeter activities.

Acharya 10.0 reinforces AIC‑SKU’s mission to build a sustainable academic innovation ecosystem

The day also featured an engaging session by Mr. Ganesh Iyer, who highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship through:

  • Experiential learning
  • Real‑world startup case studies
  • A hands‑on design thinking workshop

Faculty teams identified student‑centric challenges within their institutions and explored structured problem‑solving approaches.

Program highlights design thinking, incubation models, and UNSDG alignment

Day 2: Incubation Models, Startup Journeys & Facility Exposure
Day 2 began with an in‑depth session by Dr. Mouli on the incubation ecosystem, incubator model canvas, and the role of HEIs in nurturing innovation.

A highlight of the day was the startup journey session by Mr. Yashwanth, Founder, Dhanwin Eco Woods, who shared his transformation from a student innovator to a funded entrepreneur. His achievements include:

  • A ₹5 lakh grant from AIC‑SKU
  • A ₹45 lakh investment from a US‑based company
Faculty from multiple institutions participate in AIC‑SKU’s innovation and entrepreneurship development program

Participants also toured the AIC‑SKU facility, guided by Dr. P. Jyothi, where they interacted with startups such as Enwinove Solutions and Amruthdhara Solutions Pvt. Ltd. The tour showcased innovations in:

  • Water purification
  • Rural infrastructure
  • Technology‑driven sustainability solutions

Day 3: Policy Frameworks, IIC Processes & Sustainability Alignment
The final day focused on policy, governance, and sustainability frameworks essential for institutional incubation.

Key sessions included:

  • Prof. Nagabhushan Raju, Pro‑Chancellor, Sri City — Virtual session on NISP, IPR, and Incubator Policies
  • Dr. P. Jyothi — IIC handholding session covering portal registration, activity planning, dashboard navigation, and reporting
  • Dr. Inv. Shivakiran — Session on aligning incubation centres with UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and understanding funding landscapes

The program concluded with team pitching on the Incubation Model Canvas, followed by certificate distribution.

Closing Remarks
Acharya 10.0 concluded on a high note, reinforcing the critical role of faculty‑led innovation and institution‑driven entrepreneurship. The program equipped participants with:

  • Practical tools for nurturing student innovators
  • Policy and governance awareness
  • Exposure to real‑world startup journeys
  • Hands‑on incubation frameworks

AIC‑SKU reaffirmed its commitment to supporting academic institutions through continued mentorship, capacity building, and collaborative ecosystem development.

Acharya 10.0 equips faculty with tools to nurture student startups

About AIC‑SKU
AIC‑SKU is a premier incubation centre established under the Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, Government of India, and hosted at Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur. The centre supports startups through mentorship, funding access, capacity‑building programs, and academic‑industry collaborations, strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem across Andhra Pradesh and beyond.

📞 Phone: +91 9059570659
📧 Email: ia1@aic-sku.com
🌐 Website: www.aic-sku.com