Mysuru: The BioNEST Incubation Centre at Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Central Food Technological Research Institute (CSIR-CFTRI), Mysuru, in collaboration with the Siddaganga Incubation Foundation, hosted a National-level Food Hackathon recently in Mysuru.

The event brought together college students, aspiring entrepreneurs, researchers and food and agriculture enthusiasts, serving as a dynamic platform for breakthrough innovations in food science and nutrition, food technology, agricultural technology, post-harvest solutions and smart proteins.

300 teams participate

The hackathon received an enthusiastic response, with over 300 teams applying from across the country. A rigorous multi-stage selection process shortlisted the top 50 teams through an initial screening, expert evaluations and a pre-jury selection round. These finalists, comprising student innovators and researchers, refined their ideas under the mentorship of industry experts.

The event kicked off with an intensive workshop covering key topics such as emerging food technologies, business fundamentals, funding opportunities, marketing strategies and product-market fit. One-on-one mentorship sessions with industry veterans helped participants fine-tune their prototypes and pitching techniques.

50 teams shortlisted

Fifty shortlisted teams competed in the Pre-Finale round, where they showcased their prototypes to researchers, technologists and entrepreneurs.

Dr. Sridevi Annapurna Singh, Director, CSIR-CFTRI and Prof. T. Ramasami, former Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, interacted with the students.

In the Grand Finale, the top five teams presented their final pitches before a distinguished jury panel, competing for top honours. Following rigorous evaluations, the winners were announced: FreshVantage bagged the first prize; Protein Chunks came second and AgriSure, Pioneers and Chemtrix were the finalists.

The hackathon successfully inspired participants to reimagine the future of food and agriculture, fostering collaborations that will drive sustainable innovations in the industry.