Chennai: The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), in collaboration with IIT Madras, launched MAR-a-THON 2025 – India’s Maritime Hackathon on Monday. The event, part of the Sagarmala Start-up Innovation Initiative (S2I2), aims to foster Research, Innovation, Start-ups, and Entrepreneurship (RISE) in the maritime sector. It also served as the curtain-raiser to India Maritime Week 2025.
Technology-Led Maritime Growth
Delivering the inaugural address, MoPSW Secretary T.K. Ramachandran highlighted the role of technology in shaping India’s maritime future. He said MAR-a-THON will act as a catalyst to identify challenges, bridge the gap between research and industry, and create scalable solutions under the vision of Maritime AmritKaal 2047.
Key Timelines and Funding Support
The launch unveiled the Hackathon video, website, and brochure, along with details of the innovation challenges and timeline:
- 25 August – 29 September 2025: Application window for start-ups
- 16–18 October 2025: MAR-a-THON Hackathon at IIT Madras
India Maritime Week 2025
Selected start-ups will receive milestone-based funding to scale innovations:
- Proof of Concept: Up to ₹10 lakh
- Seed Funding (MVP): Up to ₹60 lakh
- Tech Pilot Grant (Commercial Scale-up): Up to ₹1 crore
- Collaboration and Ecosystem Building
A panel discussion on “NAVIC #9 – Research, Innovation, Start-ups and Entrepreneurship (RISE)” brought together policymakers, academia, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs to deliberate on collaboration opportunities.
The event also featured a start-up exhibition and a visit to the Sudha & Shankar Innovation Hub, where participants explored emerging technologies shaping the future of India’s maritime sector.
Vision for Maritime AmritKaal
MoPSW stated that MAR-a-THON 2025 underscores its commitment to nurturing innovation, fostering entrepreneurship, and strengthening the Blue Economy. The initiative aligns with the Maritime India Vision 2030 and long-term AmritKaal Vision 2047 goals.
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