Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) is all set to host the grand finale of the third edition of the Singapore-India Hackathon from July 14-16, 2023, at the IIT Gandhinagar Research Park, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MoE), AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education), MoE’s Innovation Cell, and NTU Singapore. The highly anticipated event aims to harness and showcase the innovation potential of youth of the two countries.

Announced on March 13, 2023, by Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan and Singapore’s Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong in New Delhi, this hackathon focuses on two captivating themes: Fintech and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Sustainability. The 36-hour-long grand finale promises to present groundbreaking solutions to critical issues faced by both nations and the world.

Prof T G Sitharam, Chairman, All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), said, “The 3rd edition of the Singapore-India Hackathon has once again demonstrated the immense talent and creativity of our young minds. This joint initiative between Singapore and India is a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of technological advancements in addressing real-world challenges. I applaud the participants for their exceptional efforts in pushing the boundaries of innovation.”

This exciting event will feature six carefully curated problem statements, three under each theme of Fintech and ESG Sustainability. Participants will be challenged to develop innovative solutions addressing pressing concerns in trade connectivity, financial fraud detection, financial literacy, carbon footprint monitoring, sea level rise and coastal flooding, and food recycling optimisation.

A total of 24 Indian students and 24 Singaporean students have been selected to participate in the hackathon, showcasing their skills, knowledge, and creativity. Additionally, 12 mentors from both India and Singapore will guide and support the teams throughout the event. The participating students and mentors will form 12 dynamic teams for Track 1, with each team consisting of two students from India and two students from Singapore. Each team will also have one mentor from each country, fostering a cross-cultural environment of collaboration and knowledge exchange. The student teams will demonstrate their solutions to a panel of dignitaries in the evaluation round on July 15.

Furthermore, 12 Indian startups and 12 Singaporean startups have been chosen to compete in Track 2, where they will directly address the six problem statements. These startups, comprised of teams consisting of one to three members, will compete and present their solutions on July 14 to clinch the top spot in their respective categories.

Exciting prizes in SGD and INR await the winners in both tracks. For Track 1, the student teams will compete for the following awards: First Prize - SGD 15,000 / INR 9 lakh, Second Prize - SGD 10,000 / INR 6 lakh, and Third Prize - SGD 7,000 / INR 4 lakh. In Track 2, the winning startups will receive: First Prize - SGD 20,000 / INR 12 lakh, Second Prize - SGD 15,000 / INR 9 lakh, and Third Prize - SGD 10,000 / INR 6 lakh.

As the excitement builds up on the IITGN campus with the arrival of teams from both countries, Prof Rajat Moona, Director, IITGN, said, “We are happy to host the first-ever India-Singapore Hackathon at IIT Gandhinagar where students and entrepreneurs from the two countries are going to join to showcase their strengths to solve the problems of contemporary times.”

The hackathon will conclude with a grand ceremony on July 16 to honour the winners from both tracks in the gracious presence of Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Honourable Minister of Education, Skills Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India, and Mr Lawrence Wong, Honourable Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Singapore. Track 1 will recognise the top three student teams, each comprising six members (two students from India, two students from Singapore, and one mentor from each country). Likewise, Track 2 will celebrate the achievements of the top three startups. In total, approximately 28 participants will emerge as winners from both tracks.

The Singapore India Hackathon 2023, being organised as part of India’s G20 Presidency, serves as a testament to the strong bonds between Singapore and India in promoting technological advancements and addressing societal challenges. This prestigious event aims to cultivate a culture of innovation and collaboration, inspiring future leaders to tackle global issues with groundbreaking solutions.