Opportunity brief
Innov-a-thon 2026
Innov-a-thon 2026 is a problem-first innovation challenge organized by the Entrepreneurship Cell, NIT Rourkela, as part of Innovision Tech Fest 2026, NIT Rourkela's annual technical and innovation festival.
The competition aims to encourage students to identify meaningful real-world problems, validate them through research, and develop innovative, scalable and impactful solutions.
Unlike conventional hackathons that focus directly on building solutions, Innov-a-thon follows a problem-first approach, emphasizing problem discovery, user research, validation, ideation and solution development.
Event Format
Round 1: Problem Discovery & Research
7 October 2026 – 31 October 2026
Participants will identify and validate a real-world problem and submit a Problem Definition Document (PDD).
The PDD should include:
- Clear problem statement
- User research and insights
- Market research and analysis
- Competitor landscape
- Validation evidence through surveys, interviews or relevant data
- Potential impact and target audience
Submissions will be evaluated based on the clarity of the problem, depth of research, validation, significance and potential impact.
Round 1 Results
4 November 2026
Shortlisted teams will be announced on 4 November 2026 and will advance to Round 2.
Round 2: Solution Development & Pitch
Starting 13 November 2026
Shortlisted teams will develop their proposed solutions and present their ideas before a panel of judges.
Round 2 will focus on:
- Solution development
- Innovation and feasibility
- Prototype/MVP development
- Business model and scalability
- Potential impact
- Final presentation and pitch
Innovision 2026 Campus Experience
The Round 2 finalists will be invited to NIT Rourkela from 13–15 November 2026 as part of Innovision Tech Fest 2026.
Finalists will need to pay the applicable campus registration fee, which will include accommodation and food during the event.
Beyond the competition, finalists will get the opportunity to experience the vibrant Innovision campus environment, including:
- Technical and innovation events
- Networking with students, entrepreneurs and industry professionals
- Exposure to a diverse community of innovators
- Fun activities and campus experiences
- DJ nights and cultural events
- Opportunities to interact with participants from colleges across India
This makes Innov-a-thon more than just a competition—it is an opportunity to build, pitch, network and experience one of NIT Rourkela's biggest student festivals.
Eligibility
- Open to undergraduate and postgraduate students from recognized institutions across India.
- Participants must provide valid and verifiable registration details.
- Cross-college teams are permitted.
- Students from different disciplines and specializations may form teams.
Team Size
- Minimum: 2 members
- Maximum: 6 members
- A participant can be part of only one team.
- Multiple registrations by the same participant may lead to disqualification.
Why Participate?
- Transform real-world problems into innovative solutions.
- Develop problem-solving, research and entrepreneurial skills.
- Receive mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals and entrepreneurs.
- Network with innovators and students from across India.
- Showcase your ideas before a panel of judges.
- Earn recognition through certificates and awards.
- Get the opportunity to experience Innovision Tech Fest 2026 at NIT Rourkela.
- Connect with a wider ecosystem of innovators, entrepreneurs and industry professionals.
Code of Conduct
- Plagiarism and submission of pre-existing work without disclosure are prohibited.
- Teams must submit their own original work.
- Cheating, collusion or malpractice may result in disqualification.
- Participants must maintain professional and respectful conduct throughout the competition.
- Misconduct, harassment or disruption may result in removal from the competition.
- The decision of the organizers and jury will be final and binding.
Join the WhatsApp group after registering - https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ch154yMWdhrEybGHhuM7KN?s=cl&p=a&mlu=4&ilr=4
Organized By
Entrepreneurship Cell, NIT Rourkela
As part of Innovision Tech Fest 2026, NIT Rourkela