Technology-Driven Maritime Growth
In his keynote, Shri T.K. Ramachandran, IAS, Secretary, MoPSW, highlighted the importance of technology-driven growth. He noted that linking academia with industry would accelerate solutions to key maritime challenges and align with the government’s Maritime AmritKaal Vision 2047.
The event unveiled the hackathon’s official video, website, and brochure. The schedule is as follows:
- 25 August – 29 September 2025: Application window for start-ups
- 16–18 October 2025: Hackathon at IIT Madras
- India Maritime Week 2025: Award ceremony and signing of agreements with selected start-ups
Funding Opportunities for Start-ups
Selected start-ups will receive structured milestone-based funding:
- Proof of Concept (PoC): Up to ₹10 lakh
- Seed Funding (Minimum Viable Product): Up to ₹60 lakh
- Tech Pilot Grant (Commercial Scale-up): Up to ₹1 crore
Panel Discussions and Innovation Hub
A high-level panel discussion titled NAVIC #9 – Research, Innovation, Start-ups and Entrepreneurship (RISE) brought together policymakers, academia, industry, and entrepreneurs to explore collaboration opportunities. The event also featured a start-up exhibition and a tour of the Sudha & Shankar Innovation Hub, where participants engaged with emerging maritime technologies.
Building India’s Blue Economy
MAR-a-THON 2025 reaffirms the Ministry’s focus on nurturing start-ups and fostering innovation in the maritime ecosystem. The initiative aligns with the Maritime India Vision 2030 and the long-term development roadmap of AmritKaal 2047, positioning India as a global leader in the Blue Economy.