Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Anantapur (JNTUA) organised a Mega Academic Leadership Meet as part of preparations for the upcoming Innovators Conclave 2026.
The leadership meet was held at the Aryabhatta Auditorium on Saturday, with education leaders discussing ways to encourage students to develop innovation, entrepreneurship, problem-solving and technological skills.
JNTUA Vice-Chancellor Prof. H. Sudarsana Rao called on educational institutions to provide students with greater opportunities to identify real-world challenges and develop innovative solutions. He also highlighted the importance of mentoring, institutional support and exposure to industry experts.
JNTUA Registrar Prof. B. Durga Prasad urged educational institutions to work together to identify talented students and innovative teams and facilitate their participation in the upcoming conclave.
The Innovators Conclave 2026 is scheduled to be held on October 24 and 25 at JNTU Anantapur. The event is expected to bring together students, startups, mentors, industry representatives and innovators.
One of the major attractions will be a 36-hour hackathon, with a proposed prize pool of ₹9 lakh. The programme will also feature a startup expo, school innovation expo, startup pitch floor and mentorship opportunities involving more than 50 mentors.
The conclave will cover areas including DeepTech, AgriTech, HealthTech, EdTech, AI/ML, sustainability, smart cities, aerospace and defence technology. Organisers have also highlighted proposed seed-funding opportunities exceeding ₹1.2 crore.
The leadership meet is intended to help colleges and students understand the opportunities available through the conclave and encourage wider participation from educational institutions.
With innovation and entrepreneurship forming the central themes, JNTUA is preparing the event as a platform connecting students, startups, mentors and industry. The upcoming conclave is expected to provide participants with opportunities to showcase ideas, develop prototypes, interact with experts and explore entrepreneurial pathways.