Opportunity brief

Overview

Ideathon 4.0 is ChipTech's flagship innovation sprint, designed to challenge participants to identify real-world problems, develop innovative solutions, and present their ideas with clarity, technical depth, and confidence.

Bringing together Cybersecurity, Internet of Things (IoT), and Data Science, Ideathon 4.0 provides a platform for students, researchers, and professionals to turn their ideas into structured, feasible solutions.

Whether you're a problem solver, developer, researcher, designer, analyst, or simply someone with a strong idea — this is your opportunity to think beyond the conventional and pitch something that matters.

The event has successfully completed three previous editions, engaging 750+ cumulative participants and receiving support from industry mentors and corporate sponsors.

What Is Ideathon 4.0?

Ideathon 4.0 follows a structured innovation journey:

Problem → Ideation → Solution → Presentation → Evaluation → Pitch

Participants will work in teams to tackle challenges across three technology-driven verticals:

Cybersecurity

Explore innovative approaches to securing systems, networks, applications, data, and digital infrastructure.

Internet of Things (IoT)

Develop practical solutions involving connected devices, sensors, automation, smart systems, and real-world applications of IoT.

Data Science

Use data-driven thinking, analytics, machine learning, and intelligent approaches to address meaningful real-world problems.

Participants will receive guidance from domain experts, mentors, and volunteers throughout the event.

Event Structure

Stage 1 — Online Registration & Shortlisting

Mode: Online via Unstop
Teams register on Unstop and submit a 150–250 word idea abstract related to their preferred vertical.
The abstract is used for pre-event shortlisting and will be evaluated on:
Originality and innovation
Clarity of thought
Relevance to the selected vertical
Problem understanding
Feasibility of the proposed approach
A maximum of 50 teams will be shortlisted for the on-ground event.
Important: The pre-event abstract is used only for screening. The main ideation challenge will take place during the on-ground event.

On-Ground Event

Date: 25 September 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Venue: Satyajit Ray Auditorium & C Block, RV University

10:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Registration & Check-in

Participants report to the venue, complete verification, and settle into their designated areas.

A valid institutional or government-issued photo ID is mandatory.

10:30 AM – 11:15 AM

Expert Seminar

The event begins with an expert-led seminar covering:

Problem framing
Understanding real-world challenges
Ideation techniques
Approaching technical problems
Building feasible solutions
Communicating ideas effectively

Domain experts will introduce the challenges and problem statements associated with the three event verticals.

11:15 AM – 1:15 PM

Round 1 — Ideate & Build

This is where the actual innovation sprint begins.

Teams will receive their problem statement/challenge and work within the allotted time to develop a solution.

Each team will prepare a structured presentation covering areas such as:

Problem statement and context
Target users/stakeholders
Proposed solution
Methodology and approach
Technical feasibility
Implementation strategy
Potential impact
Scalability and future scope

Teams are encouraged to focus on solutions that are innovative, practical, technically sound, and capable of addressing the identified problem effectively.

At the end of Round 1, teams will be evaluated and 30 teams will advance to Round 2 — 10 teams from each vertical.

1:15 PM – 1:45 PM

Break

Participants can take a short break and prepare for the next stage.

1:45 PM – 2:00 PM

Round 1 Results

The shortlisted teams advancing to the final pitch round will be announced.

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Round 2 — The Final Pitch

The top 30 teams will present their solutions before an expert judging panel.

Teams will be expected to:

Clearly communicate their problem and solution
Explain their technical approach
Demonstrate feasibility
Defend their assumptions and decisions
Answer questions from the judging panel
Explain the potential impact and scalability of their idea

This round will test not only the idea itself, but also the team's understanding, technical depth, communication, and ability to defend their solution.

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Final Selection & Feedback

The best ideas will be presented and evaluated.

Teams will receive feedback from the judging panel, and the final scores will be consolidated.

The Top 3 teams overall, across all three verticals, will be selected for the podium.

4:00 PM – 4:15 PM

Short Break

4:15 PM – 5:00 PM

Closing Ceremony

The event concludes with:

Address by dignitaries
Final announcements
Prize distribution
Recognition of winners
Vote of thanks

Judging Criteria

Teams will be evaluated on the following broad parameters:

Innovation & Originality

How unique, creative, and differentiated is the proposed solution?

Problem Understanding

How well does the team understand the identified problem and its context?

Technical Feasibility

Can the proposed solution realistically be implemented using appropriate technologies and resources?

Scalability & Impact

Does the solution have meaningful potential for real-world impact and future expansion?

Presentation Quality

How clearly and effectively does the team communicate its idea?

Question & Answer

How well does the team demonstrate depth of understanding and defend its approach during the panel interaction?

The detailed scoring rubric and weightages will be shared with the judging panel.

Who Can Participate?

Ideathon 4.0 is open to:

Students
Researchers
Professionals
Technology enthusiasts
Innovators and problem solvers

Participants should have an interest in at least one of the following:

Cybersecurity | IoT | Data Science

Team Requirements

Each team must have 2 to 4 members
Cross-institution teams are allowed
Each participant can be part of only one team
A Team Leader must be designated as the team's primary point of contact
Team composition will be locked after registration closes
All team members must be available for the complete on-ground event

Registration Fee

₹149 PER TEAM

The registration fee is a flat ₹149 regardless of team size.

Whether your team has 2, 3, or 4 members, the total registration fee remains ₹149 per team.

Registration fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.

Prizes

1st Place - ₹2,250

2nd Place - ₹1,500

3rd Place - ₹1,000

TOTAL PRIZE POOL — ₹4,750

Cash prizes will be awarded per winning team.

Certificates of participation will be issued to participants who attend the complete on-ground event.

Mementos will also be presented to winners and judges.

What Participants Need to Provide

During registration, teams will be required to provide:

Team Name
Team Size
Team Leader details
Details of all team members
Preferred vertical
Second-preference vertical
150–250 word idea abstract
Institution information
Full-day availability confirmation
Accessibility/special assistance requirements
Registration/payment reference
Previous Ideathon participation, if applicable
Acceptance of event rules and code of conduct
Media consent

Participants must provide accurate and reachable contact information.

Second-Preference Vertical

Each team must select:

1st Preference + 2nd Preference

If a team's first-preference vertical reaches its allocation limit, the organisers may consider the team's second-preference vertical for allocation.

The final allocation of teams across verticals will be determined by the organisers.

Important Rules

Teams must consist of 2–4 members.
Each participant may register with only one team.
Any violation of the single-team rule may result in disqualification of all teams involved.
Team composition is locked once registration closes.
The registration fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
A valid institutional or government-issued photo ID is mandatory for entry and verification.
Participants must attend all scheduled rounds and remain engaged throughout the event.
Late arrival may result in restricted participation or exclusion from a session.
All submitted work must be original and created by the participating team.
Plagiarism, duplication, misrepresentation of data, or use of another team's work will result in disqualification.
All external sources used must be appropriately acknowledged.
Participants are expected to maintain professional and respectful conduct throughout the event.
Harassment, disruptive behaviour, or misconduct will not be tolerated.
Participants must follow all venue safety protocols.
Organisers reserve the right to modify schedules, problem statements, or round durations due to operational requirements. Any changes will be communicated to participants before the affected session.

Requirements

Participants are advised to carry their own laptops.

Teams should have access to presentation software such as:

Microsoft PowerPoint
Google Slides
Canva
Equivalent presentation tools

No specific programming language is mandatory.

Basic familiarity with at least one of the three event verticals is recommended.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own chargers and necessary accessories.

Participant Information

Meals are not provided as part of the event. Participants are requested to make their own arrangements during the scheduled break.

Drinking water stations and first-aid facilities will be available at the venue.

Participants should arrive early, carry their valid ID cards, and remain present until the conclusion of the event.

Important Dates

Registration Opens: 10 September 2026
Registration Deadline: 15 September 2026
Online Shortlisting Results: 20 September 2026
On-Ground Event: 25 September 2026

Ready to Turn an Idea Into Impact?

Great ideas don't stop at imagination.

They are questioned, structured, tested, defended, and presented.

Bring your team. Choose your domain. Solve a meaningful problem. Defend your idea before experts.

Think beyond the obvious. Build what could matter.