IESA DeepTech
Hackathon 2026

AI-Enabled Chip Design • Embedded Development

Build breakthrough solutions using AI-enabled EDA workflows and
development boards.

Grand Finale at IESA Vision Summit 2026 (Bengaluru) — pitch to IESA
leadership + top industry experts.

IESA DeepTech Hackathon 2026

AI-Enabled Chip Design • Embedded Development

Build breakthrough solutions using AI-enabled EDA workflows and development boards.
Grand Finale at IESA Vision Summit 2026 (Bengaluru) — pitch to IESA < leadership + top industry experts.

About the IESA Hackathon

The IESA DeepTech Hackathon is a national platform for building practical, industry-ready solutions in two of the most critical technology domains shaping India’s electronics future: semiconductor design and embedded systems.
This hackathon is designed to do more than just collect ideas. It is structured to help teams move from a problem statement to a clear solution architecture, working prototype/demo, and a compelling pitch, supported by domain mentorship and a transparent evaluation framework.

Two tracks, one outcome

real deep-tech innovation

AI Platforms & AI-enabled EDA for Chip Design

Participants will explore how AI can enhance core chip design workflows, improving performance, reducing design cycles, and enabling smarter decision-making in areas such as RTL development, verification, design-space exploration, and physical design.

Embedded Application Development using Development Boards

Participants will build functional embedded applications on development boards, focusing on real-world use cases such as smart sensing networks, secure gateways, RTOS-based control systems, edge AI prototypes, robotics, and industrial IoT.

Grand Finale at IESA
Vision summit 2026 - Bengaluru

The most promising teams will be shortlisted to pitch at the IESA Vision Summit 2026. Finalists will get the opportunity to present to IESA leadership, semiconductor and electronics industry experts, and ecosystem partners offering high visibility, strong credibility, and real opportunities to take solutions forward.

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ORGANIZED BY

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HACKATHON SPONSOR

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HACKATHON PARTNER

WHY THIS HACKATHON MATTERS

India’s electronics and semiconductor ecosystem is entering a high-growth phase, and the skills demand is shifting fast from “only coding” to deep-tech building across silicon + embedded systems. Chip design complexity is rising, and companies worldwide are increasingly adopting AI/ML inside EDA workflows to improve productivity in areas like verification, PPA optimization, and design-space exploration. At the same time, real products are being built and deployed at the edge (devices, gateways, industrial IoT), where low-latency, secure, reliable embedded applications matter. This hackathon directly aligns with these trends by creating a national platform for talent to build industry-relevant prototypes in two future-critical tracks AI-enabled chip design and embedded development on boards and culminates in a high-value opportunity: finalists pitch at IESA Vision Summit 2026, Bengaluru, in front of IESA leadership and senior industry experts, turning hackathon work into real ecosystem visibility and next-step opportunities.

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Builds talent for AI + EDA and embedded/edge two of the fastest-growing deep-tech skill areas.

Collaborative Work Session 1

Moves teams beyond ideas to working demos + measurable outcomes (benchmarks, results, documentation).

Futuristic Robotics Lab 1

Moves teams beyond ideas to working demos + measurable outcomes (benchmarks, results, documentation).

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Offers a unique advantage Vision Summit stage access for finalists to pitch and network with the ecosystem.

problem statement

Develop an integrated safety system tailored for crane operations that combines proximity monitoring and obstacle detection to enhance material handling safety. Using advanced technologies such as LIDAR, GPS, ultrasonic sensors, and AI-powered image recognition, the system should prevent collisions by continuously monitoring proximity, defining geofenced hazardous zones around cranes, and detecting obstacles in real-time. The solution should automatically trigger slowdowns or emergency stops in crane operations and provide immediate alerts to crane operators, ensuring safer and more efficient material handling processes. Heading 16
Design an IoT-enabled platform specifically for crane and material handling equipment operations that aggregates real-time data into a centralized dashboard. The system should monitor key metrics such as vibration levels, fuel consumption, operating hours, and temperature of cranes and related equipment. Additionally, it should provide predictive maintenance alerts to preempt breakdowns, perform trend analysis for operational efficiency, and maintain historical records to optimize equipment performance and reduce downtime in crane operations and material handling processes. SVG image
Create an AI-driven system tailored for cranes and material handling equipment that combines predictive maintenance with consumable monitoring. The system should analyze real-time performance data from components such as brakes, filters, and cables to detect wear patterns and predict potential failures. It should proactively schedule maintenance tasks and alert operators or maintenance teams about consumable replacement needs. This solution aims to minimize downtime, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure the reliability of crane operations in material handling environments. SVG image
Develop a drone-based system to enhance real-time aerial surveillance of crane lift zones and material handling sites. The drones should provide live video feeds and leverage AI-powered analytics to detect hazards, obstacles, or unsafe conditions within the operational area. This system should assist crane operators and site managers in planning and executing complex lifts with improved situational awareness, reducing risks, and ensuring safe and efficient crane operations. SVG image
Design a comprehensive system tailored for crane operations that combines automated pre-operational diagnostics with a centralized digital maintenance logbook. Using IoT sensors, the system should assess critical parameters such as vibration levels, fuel levels, and structural integrity of the crane before operations. It should consolidate maintenance records, inspection results, and IoT-collected data into a user-friendly digital logbook. The system should also generate automated reports to provide real-time insights, ensuring operational safety, minimizing downtime, and improving overall efficiency in crane and material handling operations. SVG image
Develop an IoT-based system specifically designed to monitor and optimize energy and fuel consumption for cranes and other material handling equipment in real-time. The system should analyze operational data, identify inefficiencies in crane operations, and provide actionable recommendations for optimizing energy usage. Additionally, it should issue alerts for refueling or charging to prevent operational interruptions, ensuring seamless and efficient crane performance while reducing energy waste. SVG image
Design a system specifically for cranes and material handling equipment to monitor critical load parameters such as weight distribution, lifting radius, wind speed, and operational stability. The system should deliver real-time feedback to crane operators, ensuring safe and balanced lifting operations. Additionally, it should automatically halt operations if unsafe conditions, such as instability or overload, are detected to prevent accidents and ensure operational safety. SVG image
Design a web-based platform, similar to platforms like CarDekho or Cars24, but focused on crane operations and material handling. The system should enable users to compare cranes based on operational parameters such as maximum lift capacity, radius, wind tolerance, and speed. It should also analyze load distribution during crane operations and provide recommendations for safe lifting procedures, ensuring optimal equipment usage in material handling scenarios. SVG image

Hackthon roadmap

16–19 JAN 2026

Hackathon Goes Live & Launch

We officially kick off the IESA Hackathon! The portal goes live with tracks, themes, and key guidelines. Start exploring problem statements and prepare your team.

16 JAN – 15 FEB 2026

Registrations & Idea Submissions Open

Register your team and submit your idea. Choose your track and problem statement, and share your initial solution approach. Early submissions help you plan better.

17 JAN – 10 FEB 2026

Interactive Sessions (Webinars / Open Mentoring)

Join interactive webinars to understand tracks, concepts, expectations, and how to make strong submissions. Get clarity on templates, judging criteria, and presentation tips.

15 FEB 2026

Registrations & Idea Submissions Close

Last date to register and submit your idea. Ensure your submission is complete and follows the format. Late entries will not be accepted.

16–18 FEB 2026

Pre-Evaluation Round

Submitted ideas will be reviewed by expert evaluators. Shortlisting will be based on innovation, feasibility, clarity, and impact.

18 FEB 2026

Shortlisted Teams Announcement

Shortlisted teams will be announced via email and the portal. You’ll receive next-step instructions and details for the semi-final pitch process.

21 FEB 2026

Semi-Finale & Results

Teams will present online in the semi-finale rounds. Based on pitches and demos, finalists will be selected for the Vision Summit stage.

22–24 FEB 2026

Virtual Mentoring Sessions

Shortlisted teams receive expert mentoring to refine solution design, prototype/demo, and pitch deck.

25–26 FEB 2026

Grand Finale @ IESA Vision Summit 2026, Bengaluru

Finalists will present live at IESA Vision Summit 2026 in Bengaluru to IESA leadership and senior industry experts. Winners will be announced at the summit.

Prizes & Recognition

Celebrate brilliance and innovation with exceptional prizes and prestigious recognition!
Total Prize Pool: ₹2,00,000

1st
winner
2nd

Beyond Cash — What Finalists Get

Access to IESA Vision Summit 2026 - Bengaluru

Finalists get the opportunity to attend the summit and pitch on a high-visibility stage in front of IESA leadership and senior industry experts.

Sponsor Kits & Tool Benefits

Exclusive hardware / development kits, tool credits, and goodies from sponsoring partners (subject to sponsor availability).

Recognition & Visibility

Certificates, digital badges, and feature highlights across IESA + i4C channels for top teams.

High-Value Networking

Direct networking with industry leaders, semiconductor & embedded experts, startups, and ecosystem partners at the summit.

Internship & Job Opportunities

Top teams get visibility for internships, hiring opportunities, and project collaborations with participating companies and partners.

MENTORS & JURY

Pratap Sanap

Head – Research & Innovation
Neilsoft | Secretary, i4C

A technology leader with 22+ years of expertise in software development, specializing in embedded systems and web applications.

Dr. B. Venkatalakshmi

Lead Subject Matter Expert
L&T EduTech

A passionate educator with 30+ years’ experience in engineering education, specializing in curriculum design, pedagogy, evaluation, and technologies.

Rajesh Shah

Founder & CEO
10cTechClub

Startup entrepreneur and educator with 25+ years experience, founder of 10xTechClub delivering experiential learning.

Bharat Shivaji Kokate

Head - Embedded Systems
Aeron Systems Pvt. Ltd.

Bharat Kokate, Head of Embedded Systems and scrum Master, brings 17+ years’ expertise, mentoring innovation through hackathons.

ABOUT IESA

IESA is India’s leading industry body for ESDM, semiconductors, and intelligent electronics, connecting industry, startups, academia, and policymakers to strengthen India’s innovation and manufacturing ecosystem.

IESA VISION SUMMIT 2026 - Grand Finale

IESA Vision Summit 2026 is IESA’s flagship industry gathering focused on advancing India’s semiconductor and electronics (ESDM) ecosystem bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, startups, academia, and technology experts for strategic discussions, partnerships, and showcases. The 2026 theme is “Design to Manufacturing — Synergy of Product, Production and Skill”, emphasizing India’s transition toward a Product Nation, Production Nation, and Skills Nation.

Group 48009

25 & 26 February 2026

Group 48010

The Leela Bhartiya City Convention Centre, Bengaluru, India.

Delegates

2000 +

Exhibitors

60 +

Keynotes

20

Panel Discussions

6 +

Sessions

25 +

Frequently Asked Questions

Still you have any questions?

Students can register their Teams directly. One student from the team who is the Team leader must register & choose the designation as Team leader as mentioned on the portal and the team members.

Registration Process document

Students, Btech, BE, PhD, research fellow, professionals with 2 years of experience.

2–4 members (recommended).

Development is online;  Grand Finale at IESA Vision Summit 2026, Bengaluru.

Deck + demo/prototype + documentation + repo/video (as applicable).

For embedded track, teams may use their own dev boards and hardware.

Innovation, feasibility, technical depth, impact, demo quality.

Max 10-12 teams will make it to the grand finale.

    • Problem statements have been shared on website and brochure. Teams are free to select any problem statement that appeals to them.
    • Teams may apply to multiple problem statements; however, if multiple submissions are selected and the team gets a chance to go into the finals, then the team may only participate in one problem statement for the final event.
    • Post idea submission process, the ideas will be evaluated by experts.
  • Evaluation criteria will include novelty of the idea, complexity, clarity, and details in the prescribed format, feasibility, sustainability, the scale of impact, user experience, creativity and simplicity, and potential for future work progression.

All updates related to the hackathon will be given on the website itself and email will be sent for ease of communication. We would recommend regularly following the i4C website, to avoid inadvertently missing any emails. Please add support@i4c.into avoid emails from us going into your Spam / Junk folder.

    • The prizes will be mentioned in detail on our landing page and brochure.
    • If there is a tie between two or more teams, the final decision of the prize money distribution will be taken by the organizer of the event, and all decisions are final.
    • Organizers have the right to not announce the prize money or winner if the idea or solution is not satisfactory or deserving.
    • The team members of every winning team will be individually awarded a certificate.
  • Apart from the winners, all other teams who submitted the idea will get a participation certificate, and teams selected for the finale will get a finale certificate.
    • Intellectual property (IP) of all submitted ideas shall lie with the student innovators.
    • If the ideas are selected for further development support, IP sharing would be applicable, and details will be decided upon and formalized accordingly.
  • The ideas or solutions provided/developed/proposed by the team must be new and must not have been present in any previous event/program of any sort. Any IP infringement will not be tolerated and will be dealt with seriously.

Resources at Your Fingertips

Get all the details about the hackathon, including problem statements, timelines, prize information & FAQ.

Hackathon Details

Download the brochure to know the FAQs of the hackathon.

Hackathon Idea submission Template

Click below to download reference idea submission template.

Problem statement Explanation

Click below to know problem statements in more details.

Explanation video

How to register for hackathon

Click below to know how to register for the hackathon.

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IESA DeepTech Hackathon Update

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