Hyderabad: Startup Pedia’26 – 12th Edition Day 1 Highlights at IPE

The Institute of Public Enterprise (IPE), Hyderabad, a premier B-School in India inaugurated the 12th edition of Startupedia’26 on 26th February 2026, launching a two-day national-level startup summit organized by its E-Cell. The event began with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, followed by addresses from academic leaders and industry experts.

Dr. Prarthana Kumar, Coordinator of Startupedia and Head of E-Cell, highlighted the event’s innovation-driven vision and strong response, with 90 teams shortlisted from 180 entries. Prof. S Sreenivasa Murthy, Director highlighted the eco system for startups at IPE and emphasized entrepreneurial values, particularly the 3Ps – Passion, Perseverance, and Patience – and the importance of calculated risk-taking for success in startups.

Prof V Srikanth, Dean described Startupedia as a celebration of entrepreneurship that fosters interaction, learning, and growth among students. He reiterated the importance of the 3Ps and encouraged participants to actively engage in the learning experience.

Chief Guest Shri T Kameswara Rao spoke about scaling startups and funding opportunities ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹10 crore. Guest of Honour Shri D Chennapa Naidu Darapaneni, Founder of MERA Events, shared insights on innovation and introduced the BUILD framework – Believe, Understand, Integrate with AI, Learn, and Deliver.

Day 1 also featured expert sessions and panel discussions on Climate Tech, funding strategies, innovation beyond AI, and the Creator Economy. Notable speakers included Jeeten Desai of Ambiator and Shri Charan Lakkaraju, Founder & CEO of Student Tribe.

The event will continue on 27th February 2026 with the Jury and Valedictory Sessions, concluding the 12th edition of Startupedia with awards and celebrations of entrepreneurial excellence.