IGNITE Hackathon 2026

From problem statement to working prototype in 7 weeks. Join a cross-functional team, pitch your idea, and build the solution that moves GPS Renewables forward.

See Timeline

30 Jul – 17 Sep

Event timeline

1–5

Members per team

All depts

Welcome to submit

Problem statement submissions are open now — closes 6 August 2026.

Program Timeline

30 July – 17 September 2026 · Phase 1 · Evaluation · Phase 2

30 Jul – 6 Aug

Announce & Open Submissions

Submit business challenges, pain points, or ideas through the portal. Submissions close 6 August.

30 Jul – 16 Aug

Shortlisting & Collaboration

Shortlisted problems go live on a rolling basis as the panel selects them — start forming teams of 1–5 and collaborating right away. All shortlisted problems are live by 7 August.

17 – 22 Aug

Finalists Evaluation

The panel scores proposals against the weighted criteria and announces the finalists.

23 Aug – 16 Sep

Phase 2 — Build Sprints

Shortlisted teams build prototypes, PoCs, or business cases.

17 Sep

Grand Finale & Awards

Teams demo to the panel and leadership. Final judging and program-wide awards.

Evaluation Criteria

Four criteria, weighted to add up to a complete picture of every proposal.

100%

Total weightage

GPS or Sector Impact

50%

Problem Definition

15%

Effective Use of AI

15%

Execution & Proposal Quality

20%

Awards & Recognition

Awards are presented at the close of Phase 2 — different strengths are recognized, with no single overall winner.

Best Business Impact

The solution with the highest potential value to GPS Renewables.

Most Innovative Idea

The most creative, original solution to a business challenge.

Best Use of AI

The most effective, practical application of AI or automation.

Awards are decided at the Grand Finale after Phase 2, based on the built solutions — independent of which teams progressed.

Rules & Guidelines

Open to all employees — HODs, managers, and individual contributors alike.
Log in with your official company email via SSO to submit.
Multiple teams may work on the same problem statement with different approaches.
AI tools, no-code platforms, and design-thinking methods are all encouraged.
No working software or prototype is expected in Phase 1 — focus on the proposal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need technical skills to participate?

No. Phase 1 is about identifying problems and building proposals — understanding a business challenge is enough to start. Technical expertise can join later through collaboration.

Can I submit more than one problem statement?

Yes, you're welcome to submit multiple problems or opportunities you'd like the organization to consider.

What happens if my problem isn't shortlisted?

All submissions are reviewed, but only shortlisted problems are published for team collaboration. You can still join another team or submit again in a future round.

Is a prototype required for Phase 1?

No. Phase 1 asks only for a structured proposal with a clear business case. Prototypes come in Phase 2.

How are teams formed?

Teams self-organize — there's no central assignment. Express interest in a published problem, connect with the owner, and form a team of 1–5 members.

Can multiple teams work on the same shortlisted problem?

Yes. Once a problem is shortlisted, any number of teams can form around it — each with its own members, approach, and proposal. Teams work independently on the platform: create a team or request to join one from the problem page. You can only be on one team per problem, but the same problem may have several teams building different solutions.

Have a business problem or an innovative idea that could create a measurable impact?

Whether your idea improves how GPS Renewables operates or contributes to the wider bioenergy sector, we would love to hear it.

IGNITE Hackathon 2026