AIIA Emerges as Ayurveda Innovation Hub, Secures Major Win at MSME Idea Hackathon 5.0

In a strong affirmation of its growing leadership in innovation and entrepreneurship within the Ayurveda sector, the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) has achieved a significant milestone at the MSME Idea Hackathon 5.0 through its incubation centre, iCAINE.

Reinforcing its position as the sole dedicated Host Institute under the Ministry of Ayush focused exclusively on advancing Ayurveda-based innovation, AIIA has once again demonstrated its capability to identify, nurture, and scale impactful, real-world solutions aligned with national priorities.

Driving Innovation at the Intersection of Tradition and Technology

The achievement comes with the selection of an innovative startup idea titled "MITE OUT: A Dual-Action Non-Invasive Device for Safe Extraction of Myiasis Larvae in Livestock", developed by Anneasa Manna and team. The idea has been chosen under AIIA as the Host Institute, marking a key success for its incubation ecosystem.

The MSME Idea Hackathon 5.0—an initiative of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises—serves as a premier national platform to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving among students, innovators, and early-stage startups. Selected ideas receive financial assistance of up to ₹15 lakh, along with structured mentorship and incubation support.

AIIA's iCAINE: Powering the Ayurveda Startup Ecosystem

AIIA's incubation centre, iCAINE (Incubation Centre for Ayurveda Innovation and Entrepreneurship), has emerged as a critical enabler of innovation in traditional medicine systems. It provides comprehensive support including:

• Technical mentorship and validation

• Access to research infrastructure

• Strategic and business guidance

• End-to-end incubation support

This ecosystem is designed to transform promising ideas into scalable, market-ready enterprises—bridging the gap between traditional Ayurvedic knowledge and modern technological applications.

Leadership Highlights Vision for Scalable Impact

Prof. P.K. Prajapati, Director of AIIA, described the achievement as a reflection of the institute's long-term vision.

"This milestone reflects our unwavering commitment to fostering innovation within the Ayurveda ecosystem. Through iCAINE, we are creating a robust platform to translate ideas into scalable solutions that contribute to national development and global healthcare advancement," he said.

He added that the selection of "MITE OUT" exemplifies the integration of traditional knowledge with modern innovation to address real-world challenges.

Dr. Shivakumar Harthi, In-charge of AIIA–iCAINE, emphasized the centre's role in empowering innovators:"The selection of 'MITE OUT' is a testament to the strength of our incubation ecosystem. We aim to support startups at every stage, providing the mentorship and infrastructure needed to transform ideas into successful enterprises."

Strengthening India's Innovation and MSME Ecosystem

As one of the designated Host Institutes since the inception of the MSME Hackathon, AIIA has consistently played a pivotal role in promoting innovation, particularly in the Ayurveda domain—a sector gaining increasing global attention for its holistic and sustainable healthcare solutions.

The latest achievement underscores:

• The growing synergy between traditional medicine and modern technology

• The expanding role of MSMEs in healthcare innovation

• India's push toward self-reliance and entrepreneurship-led growth

Towards a Global Ayurveda Innovation Hub

With continued success in nurturing high-impact startups, AIIA is steadily positioning itself as a national and global hub for Ayurveda innovation. Its efforts are contributing not only to technological advancement but also to economic growth, job creation, and the modernization of traditional healthcare systems.

As India accelerates its journey toward becoming a global leader in holistic healthcare, institutions like AIIA—backed by robust incubation platforms like iCAINE—are playing a crucial role in shaping the future of innovation-driven Ayurveda.