Arduino and Manav Rachna launch Innovation and learning hub to boost India’s maker ecosystem

Arduino, in partnership with Manav Rachna Educational Institutions (MREI), has launched the Arduino Innovation & Learning Hub (AILH) at the Manav Rachna campus in Faridabad. This marks Arduino’s first large-scale co-creation partnership in India, aimed at reshaping how students, educators, and startups access and apply emerging technologies.

A first-of-its-kind hub for India

The AILH was inaugurated in the presence of Guneet Bedi, Global VP & GM of Arduino; Dr. Amit Bhalla, Vice President, MREI; and Dr. Umesh Dutta, CEO, Manav Rachna Innovation & Incubation Foundation, along with senior leaders from both organisations. The event also featured the launch of the Hindi edition of Arduino Uno R4, एक WiFi, the unveiling of Manav Rachna’s Vande IoT platform, and demonstrations of student-led innovations.

The hub houses Arduino hardware kits, sensors, robotics systems, and IoT development platforms. It will support hands-on learning and prototyping in fields such as AI, healthcare, robotics, and deep-tech engineering.

Building a national innovation pipeline

The initiative extends beyond one campus. Arduino and MREI outlined athree-tier ecosystem of:

• Inspiration Labs for K–12 learners,

• Invention Labs for higher education and applied research, and

• Innovation Labs for startups and industry professionals.

This structure allows learners to progress from basic experimentation to industry-grade innovation, while also serving as incubation centres for startups and training grounds for educators.

Vision and impact

“AILH is designed as a springboard for India’s next wave of maker-innovators,” said Dr. Umesh Dutta. “By combining global-standard hardware with structured educator training and startup incubation, we are building a complete pipeline from idea to industry.”

Arduino’s Guneet Bedi emphasised the democratisation of technology: “India’s maker community is among the fastest growing in the world. Through this partnership, the same microcontrollers used globally will now be accessible to schools, universities, and entrepreneurs in India.”

Dr. Amit Bhalla highlighted the broader mission: “Our goal is to certify 10,000 teachers in the first year, host Olympiads and hackathons, and support hundreds of startups. This is about aligning education with the needs of Industry 5.0 and beyond.”

National alignment and global reach

The initiative aligns with national skilling and education missions, involving agencies like NSDC, NITI Aayog, and state education boards. It will also support research, EdTech incubation, and global mentor networks for Indian innovators.

With its focus on practical technology access, large-scale teacher certification, and structured innovation pathways, the Arduino Innovation & Learning Hub at Manav Rachna aims to position India as aglobal hub for STEAM-based innovation.