AI with Initiative:
Makes the First Move
A national hackathon by SIDTM, Pune, inviting students to design AI that doesn’t just respond, it decides, acts, and leads.
Learning Partner: Trainocate Networks India Pvt Ltd — Empowering future AI innovators through industry learning from corporates, certification opportunities, and a ₹1,00,000 prize pool.
Should AI take the first move?
As artificial intelligence moves from being a supporting tool to a decision-making force, the question is no longer just “can AI help us?” but “should AI take the first move?”
SIDTM’s flagship hackathon, themed “AI with Initiative: Makes the First Move,” challenges students to explore how AI can proactively identify problems, initiate solutions, and drive outcomes rather than simply responding to human prompts.
In a world where businesses, governments, and industries are racing to adopt agentic and autonomous AI systems, this theme pushes participants to think beyond conventional AI applications and design solutions where AI takes initiative — responsibly, intelligently, and impactfully.
Teams will work on a real-world problem statement, ideate a solution, and showcase it through a presentation and prototype, with the top 10 teams invited to SIDTM’s Lavale Hilltop campus to build and pitch their final solution before a panel of judges.
Build, learn and win — at no cost
Real-world problem statements
Work on real-world problem statements shaping the future of agentic and autonomous AI.
No registration fee
No registration fee.
₹1,00,000 prize pool
Compete for a prize pool worth ₹1,00,000, sponsored by Trainocate Networks India Pvt Ltd., our Learning Partner.
Free learning access
Get complimentary access to industry-relevant learning modules, certification courses and corporate training from industry leaders from Trainocate Networks India Pvt Ltd. before the Solution Building Round to help you prepare for the hackathon.
On-campus finale
Top 10 teams will be arriving to SIDTM’s Lavale Hilltop campus (stay, food & refreshments included), please note travel will not be provided.
Expert judging panel
Present your solution to an expert judging panel and win trophies, certificates, and hampers.
Certificates for all
E-certificate of participation for every registered participant, 10 shortlisted teams will get finalist certificates and the winners and runners up will get certificates of merit.
Open to students across disciplines
Mark your calendar
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Registrations open (case study released on Unstop) | 5th August 2026 |
| Registrations close | 15th August 2026 |
| Round 1 submissions close | 17th August 2026 |
| Shortlisting of Top 10 teams | By 20th August 2026 |
| Finalists arrive on campus | 3rd – 4th September 2026 |
| On-site solution building | 4th September (10:00 AM) – 5th September (1:00 PM) |
| Final presentations & judging | 5th September, 1:30 PM onwards |
| Award ceremony | 5th September, from 3:30 PM |
Two rounds, one winning idea
Case Study Submission
- A problem statement/case study will be released on Unstop at the time of registration.
- Teams submit a 6–8 slide presentation addressing the case study, including a design or prototype of their proposed solution — all within the same deck.
- Submission format: PDF (exported from PPT); file name as TeamName_CollegeName_Hackathon.
- The top 10 teams are shortlisted for the on-campus finale based on submission quality.
On Campus, Lavale Hilltop
- Shortlisted teams travel to SIDTM’s Lavale Hilltop campus (3rd – 4th September).
- A new case study is revealed on-site; teams build and refine their solution from 4th September, 10:00 AM to 5th September, 1:00 PM.
- Final presentations before the judging panel: 5th September, 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM.
- Award ceremony: 5th September, from 3:30 PM.
Rewards beyond the trophy
- No registration fee
- Prize pool worth ₹1,00,000 for top 10 teams, sponsored by Trainocate Networks India Pvt Ltd. (Learning Partner).
- Complimentary access to Trainocate’s learning modules, certification courses and corporate training from industry leaders for all registered participants before the Solution Building Round.
- Stay provided for finalist teams (3rd & 4th September, hostel accommodation)
- Food and refreshments on 3rd, 4th and 5th September
- E-certificate of participation for all registered participants
- Finalist Certificate for the Top 10 shortlisted teams
- Trophy + Merit Certificate for Winners and Runners-ups
- Hampers and goodies for Finalists, Winners, and Runners-ups
Rules of participation
- Each team must consist of exactly 3 members, all from the same college/institute.
- Submissions must strictly follow the specified format (PDF) and naming convention.
- Submission format: PDF (exported from PPT)
- File naming convention: TeamName_CollegeName_Hackathon
- Only shortlisted finalist teams will be invited to the SIDTM campus for Round 2.
- Decisions made by the judges and organizing committee regarding shortlisting and final results are binding.
- Any plagiarism or misrepresentation in submissions will lead to disqualification.
Good to know
- Travel/transportation to and from the venue is not provided; participants must make their own arrangements.
- Accommodation is provided only for 3rd and 4th September; participants are responsible for arrangements outside this window.
- The organizers reserve the right to make changes to the schedule, format, or venue if required.
- All decisions taken by SIDTM and the judging panel are final and binding.
Lavale Hilltop Campus, Pune
The grand finale takes place at the Symbiosis Institute of Digital and Telecom Management, set on the Lavale Hilltop campus — a serene, tech-enabled environment built for deep work and bold ideas.
Finalist teams get hostel accommodation on 3rd and 4th September, along with food and refreshments across all three days of the finale.
Questions? Talk to the team
Ready to make AI take the first move?
Registrations open 5th August 2026 · Teams of 3 · No registration fee
