Mumbai Hackathon Showcases Over 7,500 Students Driving Change with Innovative Ideas

Mumbai Hackathon showcased over 90 student-led innovations tackling some of the city’s most pressing challenges.

The event, titled Kalpadarsh – A Showcase of Creativity, marked the culmination of a city-wide initiative by Pi Jam Foundation in partnership with the Mumbai Dabbawalas and supported by Nomura Services, India. The hackathon encouraged students to develop solutions for real-world problems using 21st-century skills.

Launched in September 2024, the hackathon received an overwhelming response with more than 7,500 submissions. From these, 90 projects were selected for the final showcase, addressing issues like waste management, traffic congestion, public health, urban infrastructure, and environmental sustainability. Students combined technological solutions with grassroots approaches to tackle these challenges.

Pranjali Pathak, spokesperson for Pi Jam Foundation, expressed enthusiasm over the level of participation, stating that students from government schools demonstrated exceptional technical skills, responsibility, and innovation. She emphasized that with the right tools and opportunities, young minds could bring real change to Mumbai.

Participants utilised Pi Jam’s Code Mitra app, a gamified learning platform designed to support their hackathon activities. A specialized module, developed in collaboration with the Dabbawalas, helped students identify key problems and craft innovative solutions.

Arijit Pal Choudhury, MD, Head of HR, Corporate Communications & Sustainability at Nomura Services, India, highlighted the event’s impact, saying that the Mumbai Hackathon underscored the transformative power of inclusive education and creativity. He expressed confidence that by equipping students with real-world problem-solving experiences, the initiative was fostering innovation and contributing to a more progressive and equitable society.

Projects ranged from affordable waste management systems to mobile apps aimed at solving transportation issues. The event proved that students could merge practicality with innovation, offering solutions that could have a lasting impact.

Beyond the competition, the Mumbai Hackathon provided students with mentorship and networking opportunities, allowing them to interact with experts and gain valuable feedback. The initiative empowered students to refine their ideas and take meaningful steps toward creating solutions for a better Mumbai.