Hackathon 2026
Date: 25 February 2026
HACKATHON 2026 was organised by the School of Business and Management under the Department of Professional Management Studies for the Academic Year 2025–2026. The event was conducted on 25 February 2026 in collaboration with FACE Prep, with the objective of fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between students of BBA FinTech & Banking and BBA AI & Data Science. A total of 121 students benefited from this innovation-driven academic initiative.

The program was designed to simulate real-world industry structures by integrating students from finance and artificial intelligence domains into unified teams. The primary objective was to enable participants to apply technical, analytical, and financial competencies to real-world problem statements. The hackathon emphasized solution-oriented thinking, innovation in financial technology, and the development of scalable, technology-driven solutions to contemporary industry challenges.

The Resource Person for the event was Mr. Kaustav Basu, who holds an M.Sc. in Computer Science with distinction. He currently serves as a Subject Matter Expert in Data Science at FACE Prep, specializing in Python, SQL, and Machine Learning curriculum development and training. With professional experience as a Machine Learning Engineer and Assistant Professor in Computer Science and AI/ML, his guidance provided strong academic and industry relevance to the program.

HACKATHON 2026 followed a structured, multi-stage evaluation and development process. The preliminary rounds were conducted separately for the two specializations. Prelims 1 for BBA FinTech & Banking students was held on 19 February 2026, focusing primarily on Excel-based financial analysis and problem-solving skills. Prelims 2 for BBA AI & Data Science students was conducted on 20 February 2026, assessing coding proficiency, logical reasoning, and data analysis capabilities.

Based on performance in the preliminary rounds, students were shortlisted and grouped into interdisciplinary teams for the final round conducted on 25 February 2026. The finalists were assigned to three distinct challenge tracks: Inception, Momentum, and Zenith. Each team selected a real-world problem statement, identified target users, defined measurable success metrics, and developed an end-to-end prototype solution supported by relevant datasets.

The hackathon structure emphasized practical implementation through well-defined phases. Teams began with solution design and problem scoping, followed by tool stack selection and technical development. Participants worked on user interface design, data modeling, algorithm development, and financial feasibility analysis. The final stage required teams to prepare a video pitch and present their solutions before an evaluation panel.

The solutions developed during the event demonstrated strong integration of artificial intelligence, financial reasoning, and data-driven decision-making. Several teams proposed innovative models such as AI-powered feasibility analysis tools, document intelligence systems for automated financial document processing, and strategic advisory platforms leveraging predictive analytics. The emphasis was not only on technical execution but also on business viability, scalability, and user-centric design.

The event concluded with a valedictory ceremony presided over by the dignitaries of the institution. The winners of HACKATHON 2026 were announced based on evaluation criteria including innovation, technical robustness, financial logic, presentation clarity, and overall impact. HACKATHON 2026 successfully created an experiential learning environment that bridged the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. By combining finance, artificial intelligence, and technology in a competitive yet collaborative setting, the program enhanced critical thinking, decision-making, and teamwork skills among students. The structured time-bound problem-solving framework closely resembled industry-level innovation workflows, thereby strengthening industry readiness among participants.

In conclusion, HACKATHON 2026 stood as a significant academic milestone for the department. The event not only promoted interdisciplinary learning but also nurtured innovation, leadership, and professional competence among students. The collaborative effort between the institution and FACE Prep ensured that participants received meaningful exposure to current industry practices. The success of the program reinforces the importance of experiential and outcome-based learning initiatives in higher education.

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Seed to Scale - Agri Branding Hackathon
Date: 27 January 2026
Seed to Scale, an intra-university Agri-branding Hackathon was organised by the Department of Professional Management Studies in association with the Department of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka. The event was aligned with the theme “Agriculture Beyond Cultivation – Empowering Farmers” and aimed to encourage participants to reimagine agricultural produce as farmer-owned brands, with a strategic focus on branding, positioning, farmer value capture, and market scalability.

The first round, conducted on 21st January, 2026 witnessed the participation of 46 students who selected agricultural commodities such as wheat, turmeric, ragi, cotton, spices, fruits, and vegetables, and presented the associated branding opportunities and value-creation potential for farmers. Based on their performance, 20 students advanced to the second round held on 23rd January, 2026 which emphasized go-to-market strategies, unit economics, and brand identity and positioning.

The final round, conducted on 27th January, 2026 with 12 shortlisted participants, focused on digital branding. Participants developed digital posters and video advertisements to create awareness among farmers about the role of branding in enhancing product value and expanding market reach. The final presentations were evaluated by Mr. Monappa N, Indian Administrative Fellow, The Nudge Institute, Department of Agriculture and Horticulture, Government of Karnataka, and Ms. Vismaya M. Naganna, Founder and Director of Orange Heart. Three teams, comprising a total of six members, received first, second, and third place awards. The awards were presented during the pre-event of the International Trade Fair 2026 on “Agriculture Beyond Cultivation – Empowering Farmers,” held on 28th January, 2026 at the Jubilee Auditorium.

The Seed to Scale Hackathon successfully sensitized students to the importance of Agri-branding as a tool for farmer empowerment and value creation beyond cultivation. The event fostered innovative thinking, strategic marketing perspectives, and digital branding skills, reinforcing the role of management education in addressing real-world agricultural challenges.