Media Release

Mangaluru, Feb 13: Commemorating the 113th birth anniversary of late Manel Srinivas Nayak, founder president of the institution, the city-based Manel Srinivas Nayak Institute of Management (MSNIM) celebrated the fourth edition of Mangaluru Entrepreneurs’ Day (MED), titled Ideation ’26, on Saturday, February 7 at its campus in Bondel. The event formed part of the Founder’s Day observance and featured a Student Pitch Challenge by MBA students of the institute.

Mangaluru Entrepreneurs’ Day seeks to nurture entrepreneurial thinking among students and strengthen industry–academia collaboration. Upholding Manel Srinivas Nayak’s belief that education must empower individuals to become innovators, leaders and job creators,

Ideation ’26 encouraged students to develop viable business ideas capable of contributing to regional economic growth and employment generation. The institute also reiterated its commitment to providing incubation and mentorship support to students who wish to transform their ideas into start-ups.

The programme commenced with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp and floral tributes to the portrait of Manel Srinivas Nayak. Vathika Pai, proprietor, Vathika International Travels, was the chief guest.

Addressing the gathering, she described ideation as the true starting point of entrepreneurship. “Entrepreneurship does not begin with capital; it begins with curiosity, courage and commitment,” she said. Emphasising the evolving business landscape, she observed that technology, ethics and purpose must grow together and urged students to build enterprises that create value beyond profit while remaining rooted in integrity.

Manel Annappa Nayak, president of the Women’s National Education Society (WNES), presided over the function. In his presidential address, he encouraged students to become creators of opportunity rather than mere seekers of employment. “The scale of investment is secondary; what matters most is the decision to begin,” he remarked, recalling the perseverance and vision that laid the foundation for the institution’s growth.

The inaugural ceremony was followed by business plan presentations by MBA students, who pitched their ideas before a panel of judges. Prizes were awarded to the top three teams. The judges for the Pitch Challenge were chief guest Vathika Pai and CA Parineeth Rau of Kamath & Rau chartered accountants, Mangaluru.

The first prize was won by Jackson, Kavya, Shrinidhi, Aparna and Bhoomika. The second prize went to Sneha, Nafiya, Jenisha, Sinchana and Ananya. The third prize was secured by Gayathri, Prajna, Kripa and Sushmitha.

Vittaldas Leeladhar, mentor, WNES; Jeevandas Narayan, vice president, WNES; Dr Arjun Nayak Manel, assistant secretary, WNES; B Ganesh Krishna Bhat, member, WNES; K V Raghav Kamath, member, Governing Body, MSNIM and WNES; and Dr Molly S Chaudhuri, director, MSNIM, were present on the occasion.

First-year MBA student Anisha delivered the welcome address, while Soorya proposed the vote of thanks. The programme was compered by Ananya.