MAR-a-THON 2025: India’s Maritime Hackathon

NxtGEN Ports and Waterways

Organised by NTCPWC, IIT Madras under the Sagarmala Startup Innovation Initiative (S2I2), in collaboration with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, this flagship hackathon empowers startups to reimagine maritime solutions and transform port operations across India.

Spotlight: IIT Bombay — A Key Innovation Hub

Beyond IIT Madras and IIT Kharagpur, IIT Bombay serves as one of the four Maritime Innovation Hubs under S2I2, joining forces with Indian Maritime University and others to nurture, guide, and scale pioneering maritime technologies. IIT Bombay plays a central role in mentoring startups, helping them evolve from early-stage concepts to commercially viable deployable solutions aligned with port needs.

Timeline:

• Workshop launch: 25 August 2025
• Applications live: 25 August to 29 September 2025
• Hackathon event (bootcamp): 16–18 October 2025
• Award ceremony: Coinciding with Maritime India Week 2025

Problem Themes:

Dive into cutting-edge challenges spanning port infrastructure, smart operations, cargo flow optimization, digitized logistics, green sustainability, and AI‑driven planning—each backed by real anchor ports ranging from Chennai and Kochi to Mumbai and Visakhapatnam.

Startup Funding Structure:

Selected teams can access milestone-based funding:

• Up to ₹10 lakh for Proof‑of‑Concept
• Up to ₹60 lakh for MVP / Seed Grant
• Up to ₹1 crore for Commercial Pilot / Scale‑up deployment

Why This Hackathon Stands Out:

• Real-World Impact: Work on high-stakes challenges anchored to major Indian ports with tangible outcomes.
• Expert Guidance: Leverage access to mentors, domain experts, and institutional resources—including IIT Bombay’s innovation ecosystem.
• Funding Across Stages: From prototyping to pilot implementation, support is built into the journey.
• High Visibility: Present at Maritime India Week and build connections across industry, government, and academia.

Calling All Startups, Innovators & Tech Trailblazers

Whether you’re a maritime-tech startup, IoT innovator, AI-driven logistics developer, or sustainability-focused disruptor—you’re invited to bring your vision to life. This is your chance to:

• Shape India’s maritime future
• Network with stakeholders across ports, policy, and tech
• Build momentum for pilot deployment and scale

Ready to Dive In?

Apply between 25 August and 29 September 2025 and join the bootcamp from 16–18 October, culminating in an awards ceremony at Maritime India Week 2025.

With IIT Bombay standing strong as a strategic innovation hub, your ideas can sail beyond prototypes to reshape the maritime landscape.