Team SYNAPES from MIT University of Meghalaya secured first place at the Chief Minister's Business Catalyst Challenge (CMBC) held at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Shillong, winning a cash prize of ₹1,00,000.

The team won with its project, TYNRAI, a digital platform aimed at preserving and promoting Meghalaya's indigenous knowledge and living cultural heritage.

The team received the recognition in the presence of Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma.

In a statement, the university said the achievement reflects its commitment to fostering innovation, entrepreneurship and culturally rooted solutions. 

It added that indigenous knowledge, culture and heritage hold potential to open up recognition and opportunities for students, and that the win shows how culturally rooted ideas can translate into innovation and entrepreneurial success.