About ACIC Sahyadri
An innovation centre built for the coast, not imported to it.
Established under the Atal Community Innovation Centre programme, hosted at Sahyadri College of Engineering & Management, Mangaluru.
Our story
ACIC Sahyadri Foundation was established as an Atal Community Innovation Centre under the Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, Government of India. Hosted at Sahyadri College of Engineering & Management, Adyar, Mangaluru, the centre is operated by SHINE Foundation (Sahyadri Hub for Innovations and Entrepreneurship) — a Section 8 company dedicated to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in coastal Karnataka. The institution currently houses 22 companies including 3 MSMEs and 19 startups, with INR 2.3 crore in seed funding earmarked for regional innovation. Through initiatives like the Community Innovator Fellowship, Karnataka Acceleration Network, and the Mphasis AI & Robotics Lab, ACIC Sahyadri pairs government mandate with an institution already deeply rooted in the region.
Vision & Mission
Vision
A coastal Karnataka where every innovator regardless of degree, capital or address has a real path from idea to impact.
Mission
To provide grassroots innovators, students and early-stage founders across coastal Karnataka with the infrastructure, mentoring and funding pathways to turn ideas into ventures that serve the region first.
“Credibility comes from evidence, not adjectives — every claim on this site should be one you could ask us to prove.”
Why coastal Karnataka
Agriculture, fisheries, biodiversity, healthcare access and a large diaspora economy define this region's opportunity — and its gaps. National innovation infrastructure has historically clustered around a handful of metros; this centre exists specifically to change that arithmetic for the coast.
Agriculture & allied livelihoods
Fisheries & the blue economy
Biodiversity & the Western Ghats
Healthcare access in semi-urban and rural areas
Education & skilling
A large diaspora economy seeking home-region investment
Who we serve
Innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers and communities shaping the future of coastal Karnataka.
Grassroots innovators & artisans
Farmers & fisherfolk
Students & early-stage founders
Women entrepreneurs
Faculty & researchers
Micro and small enterprises
Returning diaspora founders
Innovation rooted in coastal Karnataka, built to create meaningful regional impact.