Karnataka Launches National-Level Innovation Events: PROBO-THON & IDEA-THON 2026

Big Boost for Robotics and Deep-Tech Innovation from Belagavi

The Department of Electronics, IT, Biotechnology and Science & Technology (Government of Karnataka) has officially announced the launch of two flagship national-level innovation events for 2026 – PROBO-THON 2026 and IDEA-THON 2026.

Hosted by the newly elevated ROBIOT MMEC Technology Business Incubator 2.0 at Maratha Mandal Engineering College (MMEC), Belagavi, these events aim to identify, nurture, and showcase cutting-edge prototypes in robotics, automation, AI, IoT, and allied deep-tech domains.

What Are These Events?

1. PROBO-THON 2026 – A National Robotics Prototype Challenge
   Participants (students and early-stage startups) are invited to build and demonstrate functional robotics prototypes that solve real-world problems in sectors such as:

• Agriculture & Agri-drones, automated harvesting, soil-health robots
• Healthcare Surgical assistants, rehabilitation devices, tele-medicine robots
• Manufacturing & Industry 4.0 Collaborative robots (cobots), smart warehouse automation
• Environment & Sustainability Waste-segregation bots, water-quality monitoring robots
• Defence & Disaster Management (open category)

1. IDEA-THON 2026 – A National Deep-Tech Idea Challenge
   A platform for bold, disruptive ideas that may not yet have a physical prototype but show strong potential for commercialization. Categories include AI/ML, Biotechnology, Clean Energy, Electronics System Design, and Space Tech, and Quantum Computing, among others.

Both events are open to:

• Undergraduate & postgraduate students (engineering, science, and management streams)
• Early-stage startups (less than 5 years old)
• Individual innovators and faculty-led teams

Why This Matters

Belagavi is fast emerging as North Karnataka’s emerging deep-tech hub. With the elevation of ROBIOT MMEC TBI to version 2.0 under the RISC scheme of Karnataka Startup Cell, the incubator now has expanded funding, world-class fabrication labs, mentorship networks, and direct seed-grant pipelines from the Government of Karnataka.

Winning teams stand to gain:

• Cash prizes & trophies
• Direct seed funding up to ₹15 lakhs (subject to evaluation)
• Fast-track incubation at ROBIOT MMEC TBI 2.0
• Mentorship from industry leaders and academia
• Opportunity to showcase at national expos (Bengaluru Tech Summit 2026, etc.)
• IP filing support and investor connects

How to Apply

Applications are now LIVE on the official portal:
https://robiotmmec.com/probothon-ideathon-2026 (official link will be updated by the organizer)

Important Dates (Tentative):

• Application Deadline: 28 February 2026
• Shortlisting & Mentoring Phase: March–April 2026
• Grand Finale (Physical Event at MMEC Belagavi): May 2026

A Message from the Organizers

“The goal is simple – take Karnataka’s innovation ecosystem beyond Bengaluru. Belagavi has the talent, infrastructure, and now the platform. PROBO-THON & IDEA-THON 2026 will put North Karnataka firmly on India’s deep-tech map,” said Prof. [Name], Director, ROBIOT MMEC Technology Business Incubator 2.0.

Whether you’re a student with a working robot in your hostel room or a founder with a breakthrough idea on paper, this is your chance to shine on a national stage.

Don’t wait. Register today and be part of Karnataka’s next wave of home-grown technological revolution!