About the event

Innov-a-thon is not just another hackathon — it’s a movement to redefine innovation. Unlike traditional hackathons that chase flashy solutions, Innov-a-thon follows a Problem-First ideology. The focus is on identifying and validating real-world problems before building solutions.

Hosted by the Entrepreneurship Cell, NIT Rourkela, in collaboration with FTBI (Foundation for Technology & Business Incubation), Innov-a-thon will be one of the largest business hackathons in the region — bringing together 5000+ bright minds online and culminating in a grand offline finale with 400+ innovators on the NIT Rourkela campus.

This is the launchpad for tomorrow’s entrepreneurs, providing the perfect blend of research, ideation, mentorship, and investor exposure.

Event Format & Phases:

Phase 1: Online (Problem Discovery & Research)
Duration: 2–3 weeks
Teams will identify a pressing problem in themes like FinTech, HealthTech, EdTech, or Sustainability.
Deliverable: Problem Definition Document (PDD) including:
Clear problem statement
User & market research (interviews, surveys, market analysis)
Validation of the problem’s real-world significance
Outcome: Only market-validated, research-backed problems progress further.
Phase 2: Offline Finale (36-Hour Hackathon at NIT Rourkela)
Dates: October 25–26, 2025
Top 100 shortlisted teams (~400 participants) will be invited to campus.
Focus: Ideation & prototyping of an MVP or prototype
Support: Hands-on mentorship from industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and FTBI experts
Finale: Teams pitch their solutions to a Grand Jury of investors & leaders
Outcome: Validated problems transform into tangible, incubatable ventures
Why Participate:

Incubation opportunities: Winning solutions will be pre-incubated at FTBI
Mentorship access: Direct guidance from experts and entrepreneurs
Networking: Engage with investors, mentors, and fellow innovators
Impact: Work on problems that genuinely matter to society and markets
Timeline at a Glance:

Sep 6– Oct 4, 2025: Registrations & Phase 1 submissions
Oct 10, 2025: Top 100 teams announced
Oct 25–26, 2025: Grand Finale at NIT Rourkela
Participation & Logistics Guidelines:

Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and postgraduate students from recognized institutions across India. Participants must register with valid and verifiable details. False or misleading information will result in disqualification.
Team Size: Minimum 1 and maximum 4 members per team. Cross-college teams are permitted. A participant may only be part of one team. Multiple registrations will lead to disqualification of all associated teams.
Certificates:
Participation certificates for all teams submitting valid entries
Additional certificates for finalists and winners
Cash prizes and pre-incubation support for winning teams
No certificates will be issued in case of rule violations or disqualification
Code of Conduct:

Plagiarism, pre-existing projects, or undisclosed AI-generated content are prohibited
Teams must work only on their own submissions — cheating or collusion will lead to disqualification
Participants must maintain professional, ethical, and respectful behavior throughout the event
Misconduct, harassment, or disruption will result in removal from the competition and reporting to authorities
The decision of the jury/organizers will be final and binding
Organized By:

Entrepreneurship Cell, NIT Rourkela
Foundation for Technology & Business Incubation (FTBI)