The ‘Start-up Stars: Young Innovators Challenge’ was organized by Ahalia School of Management (ASM) & Ahalia School of Engineering and Technology (ASET) in association with IIC and Kerala Startup Mission IEDC on 24 June 2026 at  ASM Seminar Hall to nurture creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship and problem-solving skills among school students.  The programme started with a prayer. The Presidential address was delivered by Prof.Dr.B.Vijayachandran Pillai, Principal & Director, ASM. He emphasized the qualities and skills required for the budding entrepreneurs and stressed the need of entrepreneurship among the youth. Followed by keynote address by Dr.P.R.Suresh, Principal, ASET where he stated the live examples of start-ups which emerged successful in recent dec-ade. Mrs.Lakshmy Suresh, Assistant Professor, ASET (IEDC Co-ordinator) shared her experiences with the school students with respect to entrepreneurship. The programme provided a platform for young innovators to identify real-life problems, propose practical solutions and present entrepreneurial ideas with potential social and economic impact.

Students from Classes IX, X, XI and XII of Ahalia Public School participated in teams consisting of 2–3 members. The competition encouraged students to think innovatively, build solutions and create meaningful impact. The teams presented a ten-minute pitch before a panel of judges, followed by a question-and-answer session. The event successfully inspired students to explore entrepreneurship and innova-tion. Participants demonstrated creativity, critical thinking, teamwork and presentation skills through their startup concepts. ‘Start-up Stars: Young Innovators Challenge’ achieved its objective of fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among students. The programme provided exposure to innovation, business thinking and startup culture, motivating young learners to become future-ready innovators and leaders. The programme ended with prize distribution by 1.00 pm.