Ayurveda Institute’s iCAINE Helps ‘MITE OUT’ Startup Idea Win at MSME Hackathon 5.0

In a strong endorsement of its role as a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship, the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), through its incubation centre iCAINE, has achieved a significant milestone at the MSME Idea Hackathon 5.0.

AIIA, the sole Host Institute under the Ministry of Ayush dedicated exclusively to advancing the Ayurveda sector, has successfully supported the selection of a startup idea titled “MITE OUT: A Dual‑Action Non‑Invasive Device for Safe Extraction of Myiasis Larvae in Livestock” (Ref. No.: IDEADL033172), developed by Anneasa Manna and team.

What This Means

• The MSME Idea Hackathon 5.0 encourages students, innovators, and early‑stage entrepreneurs to present high‑potential ideas.
• Selected ideas receive financial assistance of up to ₹15 lakh, along with structured mentorship and incubation support.
• AIIA, through iCAINE, provides end‑to‑end incubation support including technical mentorship, validation, infrastructure access, and strategic guidance.

The startup idea “MITE OUT” is a breakthrough veterinary device designed to safely and non‑invasively remove myiasis larvae (parasitic maggots) from livestock, reducing pain, infection risk, and economic losses for farmers. It merges biomedical engineering with traditional Ayurvedic principles to create a dual‑action solution for animal health.  

What MITE OUT Is

• Type: Startup idea (not yet a full startup)
• Innovation: A dual‑action, non‑invasive device
• Purpose: Safe extraction of myiasis larvae (parasitic maggots) from livestock
• Developed by: Anneasa Manna and team
• Selected under: AIIA–iCAINE at the MSME Idea Hackathon 5.0. 

MITE OUT is a selected startup idea that tackles a critical veterinary challenge. By offering a safe, non‑invasive way to remove harmful larvae from livestock, it helps farmers protect animal health, reduce losses, and improve productivity. Its recognition at MSME Hackathon 5.0 highlights how India’s innovation ecosystem is empowering early‑stage ideas to evolve into impactful enterprises.

Prof. P.K. Prajapati, Director, AIIA, said “This achievement reflects AIIA’s commitment to fostering innovation within the Ayurveda ecosystem. Through iCAINE, we are creating a platform to translate novel ideas into impactful, scalable solutions that contribute to national development and global healthcare advancement.”

Dr. Shivakumar Harthi, In‑charge, AIIA–iCAINE, said, “The selection of ‘MITE OUT’ is a testament to the strength of our incubation ecosystem. We aim to empower innovators with mentorship, infrastructure, and strategic direction to transform ideas into successful enterprises.”

Why It Matters

• Highlights the ingenuity of the innovator and the robust incubation framework fostered by AIIA.
• Strengthens India’s innovation ecosystem by supporting high‑impact ideas.
• Contributes to economic growth, employment generation, and technological advancement.

With its continued commitment, AIIA—through iCAINE—is steadily emerging as a powerhouse of innovation, empowering ideas, enabling startups, and shaping the future of healthcare and allied sectors in India.

This New App Lets Anyone With A Startup Idea Instantly Chat With Investors at VC Firm Kleiner Perkins

Have an amazing startup idea in mind? But, don't know where to or how to start from? This is the case with most of the young minds out there. Lack of right mentorship and direction often brings an abrupt end to their entrepreneur dreams. In order to make the startup scene a little more easier for all those first time entrepreneurs, a young individual and his team have developed an app called the "KPCB Edge Office Hours".

The KPCB Edge Office Hours is basically a first of its kind communication application where startup and entrepreneurship enthusiasts can ask their queries about anything related to setting up a new startup and get instant reply from one of the three partners of the Kleiner Perkins' Edge Fund, which is the firm's early stage fund focused on emerging technologies like drones, virtual reality and digital currency.

Anjney Midha, Roneil Rumburg, and Ruby Lee, the three partners of the firm, take out at least two hours a week from their busy schedule to answer questions in real-time, while they respond to non-office hour messages throughout the week.

Midha, youngest of the three partners, has himself gone through the initial entrepreneur hiccup phase and understands the frustration that comes with it very well. Even after getting through Stanford, Midha couldn't get the type of access with Venture Capitalists as he got with professors during office hours arranged at the campus. In one such on-campus "office hour" set up by Kleiner Perkins' general partner Mike Abbott, Midha was hired as the youngest partner at Kleiner Perkins.

The app allows people to have a one-on-one conversation with one of the firm's partners as nothing is broadcasted and the person's identity is fully protected.

Since the app's launch on 24th July, the app has already been downloaded in 17 different countries around the world.

Midha's ultimate goal with this app is to change the way the venture capital works.