Mangaluru: The CREDAI BuildSmart Innovation Challenge, launched by CREDAI Mangalore in partnership with Section Infin-8 Foundation (SI-8) and Mission Utthan, is setting the stage for a new era of innovation and sustainability in India’s construction and real estate sectors.Vishwas US, founder director of Section Infin-8 Foundation, told reporters on Thursday, that the aim is to make Mangaluru the IT capital. Close to 30 applications from students, innovators, and early-age startups have already been received ahead of the Nov 30 deadline. Unveiled at the Kanara Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), the initiative brings together industry leaders, academic institutions, and govt bodies to position Mangaluru as a national model for technology-driven urban development, he said.The collaboration between CREDAI Mangalore and SI-8 was formalised through an MoU signed at EMERGE 2025, India’s first Startup Beach Festival. At the launch, SI-8 also entered an MoU with Nexus Core, which will co-lead programme design, innovation strategy, and execution, ensuring the challenge adheres to global standards.CREDAI Mangalore is the first chapter in the country to partner with an incubation enabler to run a full-fledged innovation challenge focused on sustainable construction technologies. Adding technical depth, NITK Surathkal has joined hands with the EMERGE team to lead the challenge. Mission Utthan, a national initiative supported by the office of the principal scientific adviser (PSA), govt of India, is also part of the programme, said Arjun J Rao, CEO, CREDAI Mangalore.The BuildSmart Innovation Challenge 2025 is a two-phase national programme designed to identify practical, scalable ideas that enhance efficiency, transparency, and sustainability in real estate and construction. The problem statements include developing a construction waste management platform to ensure traceable recycling and reuse, creating a unified communication and grievance-tracking system for CREDAI members, digitising the RERA single-window approval process to simplify regulatory compliance, and building a verified skilled-labour registry integrating Skill India, ESIC, and PF databases. Innovators are also encouraged to present digital, material, or policy-driven solutions that advance green construction and renewable energy use, said Meraj Yusuf, secretary, CREDAI Youth Wing.Top participants will receive a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, mentorship from CREDAI industry leaders, pilot opportunities with CREDAI member firms, incubation support from SI-8 and Mission Utthan, and the chance to showcase their work at EMERGE 2026, India’s Startup Beach Festival, at Tannirbhavi Beach, scheduled from Jan 9-11.The top 10 teams will be mentored throughout Dec, and their prototypes will be displayed at Emerge 2026. Registration is free for student teams.
