Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The eighth edition of AIMM 2026, a national artificial intelligence (AI) innovation competition, has been announced by the Marathwada Accelerator for Growth and Incubation Council (MAGIC), inviting startups, entrepreneurs, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), students and research teams to develop technology-driven solutions to industrial and societal challenges.
The competition, themed ‘Artificial Intelligence for Manufacturing and Mankind’, aims to encourage the development of innovative solutions using AI to address real-world problems faced by the manufacturing sector, industries and society.
Applications for AIMM 2026 are open to eligible participants, with December 7, 2026, set as the last date for submissions.
AIMM 2026 to Feature Two Competition Categories
The AIMM 2026 competition will have two separate categories to accommodate innovations at different stages of development.
The first category will accept concepts at the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) stage, including ideas and their Proof of Concept (PoC) submissions.
This category is intended for innovators who have developed an initial concept and are working towards demonstrating its feasibility.
The second category will cover products that are already available in the market and generating revenue. This will provide an opportunity for startups and entrepreneurs with commercially operational AI-based solutions to showcase their innovations.
Through these two categories, AIMM 2026 will bring together early-stage innovators as well as businesses that have already taken their AI solutions to the market.
₹7 Lakh in Cash Prizes and Seed Funding Opportunities
Winners of AIMM 2026 will receive total cash prizes worth ₹7 lakh. In addition to the prize money, eligible innovations will also have opportunities to receive seed funding support.
Selected participants will further get an opportunity to access incubation support through MAGIC, which could help them develop their ideas into commercial products and expand their market presence.
The initiative is therefore not limited to recognising innovative concepts. It also aims to support entrepreneurs in taking their AI-based solutions towards commercialisation and business expansion.
Focus on AI Solutions for Manufacturing and Society
The central objective of AIMM 2026 is to encourage the practical application of artificial intelligence in manufacturing, industrial operations and areas affecting society.
The competition seeks to promote technology-driven innovations, increase the adoption of AI across industries and encourage the development of solutions that can contribute to India’s technological and economic growth.
By bringing startups, emerging entrepreneurs, MSMEs, students and research teams onto a common platform, MAGIC aims to encourage the development of AI-powered solutions addressing practical challenges.
How to Apply for AIMM 2026
Startups, students, researchers and MSMEs interested in participating in AIMM 2026 can submit their applications online.
The last date to apply is December 7, 2026.
Interested participants can find further information and submit their applications through the following link:
Application Link: https://tinyurl.com/AIMM2026
