The finale of the Cyient Foundation Pitch Fest 2026, organised in partnership with ICT Academy, brought together promising student entrepreneurs from leading engineering institutions across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to showcase innovative and socially relevant business ideas in Hyderabad on Feb 24.
The Pitch Fest marked the culmination of a structured entrepreneurship development initiative designed to foster innovation, problem-solving, and startup thinking among students. The programme witnessed an enthusiastic response, with over 2,000 students from 40 colleges across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh participating in the initiative. As part of the multi-stage evaluation process, 105 entrepreneurial ideas were presented before industry mentors to gain their perspectives and insights to improve the business potential of their concepts.
The ideas spanned diverse sectors — from art cafés promoting local artisans and musicians, to innovations in agricultural mechanisation, solar energy efficiency, and technology-enabled applications designed to sustain continuous education. Over several months, participants underwent awareness sessions, intensive training, and personalised mentoring, equipping them with the skills and confidence to transform ideas into impactful ventures.
Following multiple rounds of evaluation and live pitching before an eminent jury, five outstanding ideas were selected as winners. Each winning team received a cash award in recognition of their innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. The winners of Pitch Fest include students from MLR Institute of Technology, CMR Institute of Technology, ACE Engineering College and two teams from KG Reddy College of Engineering.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. B.V.R. Mohan Reddy, Founder Chairman, Cyient, said, “Innovation is not just about technology; it is about the courage to solve real-world problems with creativity and purpose. Through the Cyient Foundation Pitch Fest, we are investing in young minds who have the potential to become nation builders. It is inspiring to see students combine technical knowledge with entrepreneurial thinking to develop solutions that can positively impact communities and industries alike.”
