Jamshedpur: Spaceship 2026, a major innovation summit and startup pitching platform, was successfully organised on Saturday at Rajendra Vidyalaya Auditorium, Sakchi, bringing together young innovators, global entrepreneurs, and senior policymakers under one roof.
The day-long event was organised by B.A. College of Engineering & Technology (BACET) in collaboration with its Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC), Government of India to nurture innovation, entrepreneurship, and solution-oriented thinking among students and young professionals.
The summit witnessed enthusiastic participation from students of Class VIII and upward, college and polytechnic students, faculty members, startup founders, and technology enthusiasts. The auditorium buzzed with energy as participants presented innovative ideas, working prototypes, and technology-driven solutions aimed at addressing real-world challenges, making the event a vibrant showcase of creativity and problem-solving skills.
A major highlight of Spaceship 2026 was the presence of globally accomplished entrepreneurs originally from Jamshedpur, who returned to their hometown to share insights from their international journeys.
Abhishek Kumar, CIO and Co-Founder of AssessHope and TrueAtom (USA), spoke on building scalable global technology products, while Vatsala Upadhyay, Founder and CEO of AI Junoon (USA), highlighted emerging opportunities in AI-driven entrepreneurship. Sudhakar Kandanala, Founder of Sliver Business Services (USA), shared perspectives on global business expansion, and Abhijeet Kumar, Co-Founder of ClientTell and GoKettles (India), focused on startup execution and market readiness. Their sessions offered practical guidance, motivation, and a global outlook to aspiring innovators.
The summit was further strengthened by the participation of senior IAS officers, Anya Das, Deputy Secretary, Health Department, Government of Odisha, and Sumit Kumar Thakur, Sub-Collector and SDM, Thiruvalla, Kerala. Interacting closely with participants, the officers underlined the importance of aligning innovation with public policy, social impact, and government initiatives, while highlighting the support systems available for startups and young innovators in India.
Key activities during the event included a startup and idea pitching competition evaluated by experts from NIT Jamshedpur, along with experienced founders, live demonstrations of prototypes, and extensive mentorship and networking sessions. Participants received valuable feedback, guidance, and industry exposure, while top-performing teams were encouraged towards future incubation and funding opportunities.
Out of nearly 90 teams from various schools and colleges, four outstanding teams were awarded cash prizes of Rs 25,000 each, along with mementos, certificates, and mentorship opportunities. The winning teams were Team Edu Minds AI from HillTop School, Team Solar Seeker from Kerala Public School, Team Flowcare AI from KPS Kadma, and Team Aqua Sense from Al-Kabir Engineering College.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. S. K. Singh, Chairman of BACET and Chief Patron of the event, said that Spaceship 2026 had successfully inspired students to develop a “job-creator” mindset and to view innovation and entrepreneurship as viable and meaningful career pathways.
Organisers stated that BACET and its Institution’s Innovation Council remain committed to promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and experiential learning in line with national education reforms and the country’s growing startup ecosystem, with Spaceship 2026 marking another significant step in that direction.
