SREC Innovate 2K26, organized by Sri Ramakrishna Engineering College, Coimbatore, on 17 March 2026, was a successful Industrial Hackathon and Project Expo that brought together around 650 students to showcase innovation and strengthen industry–academia collaboration. The event featured an inaugural session with eminent industry leaders, the launch of the CIRI portal, and a panel discussion on bridging the skill gap through strategic partnerships. Around 100 teams participated in the Industrial Hackathon, solving real-world industry problems with expert mentorship, while 86 teams presented innovative projects at the Project Expo. Winning teams received cash prizes, internship opportunities, seed funding support, and industry mentoring. With active participation from leading industries, SREC Innovate 2K26 provided students with valuable practical exposure, fostering creativity, technical excellence, and professional development.