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​Event Overview

​The SHARKPIT 2026, organized by the Science and Tech Club of Matrusri Engineering College, is an innovation and entrepreneurship event designed to provide students with a platform to present their startup ideas, technological solutions, or innovative projects to a panel of experienced industry professionals and mentors.

​Inspired by the globally recognized Shark Tank format, the event encourages students to transform their ideas into scalable startup opportunities through structured pitching and expert feedback. Participants will have the opportunity to showcase their ideas, demonstrate prototypes or projects, and explain the real-world impact and scalability of their solutions.

​The event aims to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset among students, encouraging them to think beyond academic projects and explore innovation-driven solutions to real-world problems.

​Who Can Attend

​The event is open to all students of Matrusri Engineering College, including both technical and non-technical students who are interested in innovation, entrepreneurship, or problem-solving.

​Participants can attend individually or as teams to present their ideas, showcase their projects, or pitch startup concepts to the jury panel. Students from all departments and disciplines are encouraged to participate, creating a diverse environment where technical solutions and creative business ideas can come together.

​Faculty members, mentors, and invited industry professionals will also attend the event as jury members and guests.

​All participants will receive digital participation certificates, which will be shared online after the event.

​Jury Panel Overview

​E Sai Eshwar

​Founder – Studlyf | Founder – Nirvaha | Ecosystem & Product Operator

​E Sai Eshwar is an entrepreneur and ecosystem builder working at the intersection of Applied AI, product strategy, and community development. He is the co-founder of Studlyf, a student ecosystem platform that provides opportunities and resources for college students, and the founder of Nirvaha, an AI-powered wellness platform inspired by the Bhagavad Gita.

​He is also the creator of GuideBazaar, a startup knowledge platform aimed at democratizing access to entrepreneurship education. Eshwar is a 12× national hackathon finalist and winner of competitions such as HACKX 2025 and WiSH 2025 (Texas Instruments). Through mentorship and public speaking, he has guided 600+ students across Hyderabad institutions, sharing insights on entrepreneurship, AI, and startup building.

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​Yashwanth Bondapalli

​AI & Cybersecurity Professional | Back to Base Community

​Yashwanth Bondapalli is a technology professional working at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity. He builds intelligent applications using Large Language Models and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) systems, focusing on creating reliable and secure AI systems for real-world use.

​He is associated with the Back to Base technology community, where he actively supports developer growth and innovation. Yashwanth has also been invited as a speaker at GitTogether Hyderabad, a developer event organized by GitHub India and supported by Microsoft, where he shared insights on AI and cybersecurity with a broad community of engineers. He frequently mentors students and developers, helping bridge the gap between academic learning and real industry practice.

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​Sai Harishith Somishetti

​Founder & Director – ShieldNet Solutions

​Sai Harishith Somishetti is the Founder and Director of ShieldNet Solutions, a Hyderabad-based technology services company specializing in cybersecurity, web and mobile development, network administration, and software testing.

​He leads projects that deliver end-to-end digital solutions while maintaining a security-first development approach. Alongside running his company, he actively collaborates with engineering colleges to provide internship opportunities and practical training, helping students gain hands-on exposure to real industry projects and professional technology environments.

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​Event Day Details

​9:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Participant Check-in

​Participants and attendees will arrive at the venue, complete the check-in process, and prepare for the event sessions.

​10:10 AM – 12:30 PM | Morning Session – Event Introduction & Startup Talk

​The event will begin with an official welcome and introduction by the Principal and Heads of Departments. This will be followed by a mini session on startup pitching, where speakers will share insights about startup building, the art of pitching ideas, and highlights from their entrepreneurial journey.

​1:10 PM – 3:00 PM (Max 3:30 PM) | Afternoon Session – Idea & Pitch Round

​Participants will present their ideas, projects, or startup concepts directly to the jury panel. Each team will pitch their solution, explain the problem they are solving, and demonstrate the potential impact and scalability of their innovation.

​3:30 PM – 4:00 PM | Jury Deliberation & Winner Announcement

​The jury panel will evaluate all the pitches and announce the winning teams based on innovation, feasibility, and overall impact.

​4:00 PM – 4:10 PM | Certificate & Prize Distribution

​The winners will receive certificates and recognition for their outstanding ideas and presentations. Participation certificates for all participants will be shared online after the event, marking the conclusion of the event.