Indian startups are increasingly embracing “agentic AI” —advanced systems capable of acting autonomously, not just responding to prompts. Unlike traditional machine learning models that require constant human input, agentic AI platforms can plan, execute, and adapt in real time, making decisions, taking actions, and learning from outcomes without continuous human oversight . This evolution—from generative to agentic—is not just a technological upgrade; it is a fundamental rethinking of what AI can do. Instead of being a tool that answers questions, agentic AI becomes an active collaborator that solves problems.

Nowhere was this shift more visible than in Mangaluru on March 28–29, 2026, when the coastal city played host to the Coastal Startup Fest 2026 . The two-day event, held at Fiza by Nexus Mall, brought together curated startups, angel investors, industry leaders, academia, and ecosystem partners to foster collaboration, investment, and sustainable growth . The festival was a flagship initiative of the AIC–Nitte Incubation Centre, K-Tech Innovation Hub, and the NITTE–Government of Karnataka Centre of Excellence in Aquamarine Innovation , with the explicit objective of positioning the Mangaluru–Udupi corridor as a leading Tier-2 innovation hub in India . With the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM) as the strategic partner, the event represented a coordinated effort to build the infrastructure for decentralized, inclusive innovation .