Pune: 1,200 Students, 327 Teams to Compete at National-Level Hackathon ‘Innovate You Techathon 2.0’
Pune, 18th February 2025: With the aim of fostering innovation among students and encouraging their entrepreneurial spirit, the Innovation Foundation is organizing the second edition of the national-level hackathon, ‘Innovate You Techathon 2.0.’ The event will commence on Saturday, February 22. This hackathon will see participation from approximately 1,200 students across 327 teams from renowned institutions, including IITs and IIITs, who will explore innovative solutions for societal issues. Winners and outstanding performers in the competition will receive cash prizes totaling ₹7.5 lakh.
The inaugural ceremony of ‘Innovate You Techathon 2.0’ will be held at 11 AM and will be graced by the presence of Dr. Parag Kalkar, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Savitribai Phule Pune University. Along with Shailendra Devlankar (Director of Higher Education), Dr. Dattatraya Jadhav, Joint Director of the Directorate of Technical Education (DTE), Pune Division, will be the chief guest for the competition. The event details were shared by Innovation Foundation’s founder, Kalpesh Yadav, during a press conference on Tuesday.
While elaborating on the event, Kalpesh Yadav mentioned that AISSMS IOIT has partnered with the Innovation Foundation to host this hackathon on its campus. The online registration deadline for the competition was February 10, and around 400 teams applied. However, prioritizing quality, 327 teams were selected for participation. Over the two day (22 and 23 Feb); these students will work towards developing innovative technological solutions on given problem statements. The Innovation Foundation has made arrangements for accommodation, meals, and other necessary amenities for the participants. The primary objective of this hackathon is to provide students with a platform to showcase their innovative ideas and support their entrepreneurial mindset. Yadav also appealed to IT companies and industry representatives to participate and encourage the students’ creativity.
‘Innovate You Techathon 2.0’ is supported by reputed institutions such as All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Directorate of Technical Education (DTE), Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ratan Tata State Skill University, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University (Lonere), COEP Technological University, Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, and Kavayitri Bahinabai Chaudhari North Maharashtra University. The hackathon revolves around six themes: EdTech, Environment, Healthcare, Traffic Management, Disaster Management, and AgriTech, with each theme featuring five problem statements. Participants will be required to develop technology-driven solutions to these problems within the given timeframe.
Innovation Award to Balaji Jadhav
Every year, the Innovation Foundation recognizes individuals making significant contributions to the education sector through creative and modern approaches. This year’s ‘Innovation Award’ will be presented to Balaji Jadhav, a teacher from a district council school in the Man Taluka of Satara. He has utilized YouTube as a medium to simplify primary education, making learning more accessible to children. His innovative efforts in expanding educational reach have earned him this prestigious award.
Encouraging Startups
The hackathon is not just about declaring winners; selected projects will receive dedicated support from the Innovation Foundation to transition into startups. The Foundation will provide expert guidance, business mentorship, and financial assistance to help students turn their innovative ideas into successful ventures.
Use of Technology in Event Management
Considering the large number of participating teams, a dedicated software system has been developed for participant check-ins and real-time tracking. Additionally, an automated system will generate and distribute participation certificates online as soon as the competition concludes.
Special Awards for AI and in Memory of Ratan Tata
A total of ₹7.5 lakh in cash prizes will be awarded to winning teams. In addition to this, a special prize of ₹50,000 will be given in memory of the late industrialist Ratan Tata. The most innovative project of the competition will receive the ‘Ratan Tata Innovative Minds Award’ with a cash prize of ₹25,000. Another ₹25,000 prize will be awarded to a project demonstrating exceptional use of artificial intelligence.
