IIIT-Bangalore innovation centre hosts medical device hackathon for students

The IIIT-Bangalore Innovation Centre, under the NAIN 2.0 programme, organised MEDHA – Medical Device Hackathon 2026 at JSS College of Pharmacy, Mysuru, in collaboration with JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (JSS AHER), BETIC and IIT Bombay.

The programme brought together around 160 students, faculty members, innovators, mentors and members of the medical fraternity to identify healthcare challenges and explore technology-based solutions for medical-device applications. Twenty student teams were formed for the medical-device building hackathon.

MEDHA 2026 aimed to familiarise students with medical-device innovation and entrepreneurship while connecting them with practical clinical and healthcare challenges. The programme also introduced participants to multidisciplinary teamwork and areas such as intellectual property rights, patents, company formation, startup registration and investment.

The event began with a welcome address by Dr T. M. Pramod Kumar, Principal, JSS College of Pharmacy, Mysuru. Dr K. Bangarurajan outlined the objectives of MEDHA 2026, while Dr Prashant M. Vishwanath, Dean (Research), JSS AHER, Mysuru, spoke about the innovation ecosystem. Mr Amandeep Srivatsava, Chief Innovative Officer, IIIT-Bangalore, was the Chief Guest.

A key part of the programme involved presentations of medical-device problem statements sourced from the healthcare ecosystem. Students discussed the challenges, identified areas for intervention and formed multidisciplinary teams to work on potential solutions. The programme included problem-statement presentations, team formation, team announcements and poster presentations.

Three knowledge sessions were also conducted to provide participants with an understanding of the broader process of taking an innovation beyond the project stage. Mr Abishek Bharadwaj A. B., Chairman, Mysore Chapter, Institute of Company Secretaries of India, conducted a session on company formation and its advantages and considerations.

Dr Chennamma, Associate Professor, Department of Master of Computer Applications, JSS Science and Technology University, Mysuru, conducted a session on IPR filing and patents. Mr Sabareeshan C. K., Independent Director at BPL Ltd and Panasonic Appliances India Ltd, angel investor and startup mentor, addressed participants on the investor perspective. The programme highlighted the importance of linking healthcare needs with multidisciplinary student innovation. Participants were introduced to a pathway covering problem identification, solution development, intellectual property, company formation and investment readiness.

The IIIT-Bangalore Innovation Centre will provide the winning team with incubation support, including assistance related to company registration, with the aim of helping the project progress beyond the academic project stage.

MEDHA 2026 forms part of the NAIN 2.0 approach to strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities across Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities of Karnataka, with a focus on connecting student-led ideas with healthcare challenges and pathways for further development.

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