The Winter Hackathon 2026, a 36-hour intensive hybrid event, recently concluded, bringing together 147 student developers to solve real-world challenges through technology. Hosted by GDG On Campus SJEC in collaboration with SCEPTIX and the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at St. Joseph Engineering College, Mangaluru, the event served as a catalyst for innovation and community problem-solving.
“The energy and innovation displayed by the students over these 36 hours was truly inspiring. It’s about more than just code; it’s about solving real problems for our community.” — Ashley Pinto, Lead - GDGoC SJEC
A Platform for Open Innovation
Held from January 11th to 13th, the hackathon centered on the theme of “Open Innovation.” Participants were tasked with identifying tangible challenges within their campus or local communities and developing practical solutions leveraging Google technologies. The hybrid nature of the event allowed for a seamless transition from an online inaugural ceremony to high-energy offline coding sessions, workshops, and evaluations on campus.
Objectives and Learning Outcomes
The primary objective of the Winter Hackathon was to move beyond theoretical knowledge. By exposing students to hackathon culture and rapid prototyping, the event encouraged:
- Innovative thinking and creativity in technical problem-solving.
- Hands-on experience with emerging Google technologies.
- Enhanced collaboration, teamwork, and leadership skills.
- Direct interaction with industry professionals and alumni mentors.
Technical Excellence and Mentorship
The event featured specialized technical talks and workshops designed to equip participants with the tools needed for modern development. Key sessions included:
- Open Source AI Tech Talk by Mr. Ankit Shah (AI/ML Lead, GDGoC SJEC).
- Unlocking the Power of Gemini by Mr. Rachan Karkera.
- Google AI Studio Deep Dive by Mr. Nihaal Y K.
Mentorship was a cornerstone of the hackathon, with SJEC alumni Mr. Anish Shobith and Ms. Charis Pinto guiding teams through their development process. This collaborative environment ensured that projects were not only technically sound but also practically viable.
Recognizing Excellence
The competition concluded with a final evaluation where teams presented their prototypes. A prize pool of ₹30,000 was awarded across various categories, recognizing both overall excellence and specific strengths in user interface, social impact, and business viability.
Key Award Winners:
- Winners (1st Place): Team Codetrinity (Ashwini Shenoy B, Alisha A Pinto, Akshatha)
- Runner-ups (2nd Place): Team Monkey Coders (Amulya D’Souza, Melroy Luvis Almeida, Roy Prince Veigas, Joel D’Souza)
- 2nd Runner-ups (3rd Place): Team Vajra (Shivam S, Sharan Lenwin Correa, Prasad)
Special recognition was also given to Team Iceage for Best UI, Team Raging Bulls for Best Business Model, Team Hackie Chan for Best Idea, and Team we_tried.exe for Best Social Impact.
Conclusion
The Winter Hackathon 2026 successfully demonstrated the potential of student-led innovation. By bridging the gap between academic learning and industry application, the event has strengthened the technology culture at SJEC and fostered a community of developers ready to tackle future challenges.