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.
Timeline and Structure of MAR-a-THON 2025
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.
