Mangaluru: St. Joseph Engineering College (SJEC), Vamanjoor, successfully concluded the fourth edition of its national-level hackathon, HackToFuture (HTF) 4.0, held from April 15 to 17, 2026. The 36-hour event brought together some of the brightest young innovators from across the country, showcasing creativity, collaboration, and cutting-edge technological solutions.

Organised jointly by SJEC and EGDK India Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of Denmark-based EG A/S, the hackathon highlighted the growing synergy between academia and industry.

Massive participation and industry-driven challenges

The hackathon witnessed an overwhelming response, with over 3,000 registrations and participation from nearly 700 teams nationwide. Following a rigorous selection process, 41 teams were shortlisted for the final round.

The problem statements, curated by EGDK India, were based on real-time industry challenges, ensuring practical relevance and innovation-driven solutions. Participants were mentored throughout the event by experts from EGDK India and EG A/S, Denmark, while final evaluations were conducted by a panel of industry professionals.

The event was supported by sponsors including Mr. Cyril Lobo, Xtransmatrix, Straecon, Wisdom Ed, and NTG.

Focus on emerging technology domains

This year’s hackathon revolved around four major themes — DevOps, Cloud Architecture, Open Innovation, and Cybersecurity — encouraging participants to develop solutions addressing real-world challenges.

A total cash prize pool of ₹4 lakh was awarded to the top-performing teams across categories, recognising excellence in innovation and execution.

Valedictory ceremony and dignitaries

The valedictory programme began with a video presentation highlighting key moments from HTF 4.0, followed by an invocation by the college choir. Dr. Melwyn D’Souza, Head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, welcomed the gathering and presented an overview of the hackathon statistics.

The event was graced by Mr. Jeevan D’Souza, Senior HR Head and Country Lead, EGDK India, along with Mr. Dileep Chakravardan, Team Manager, EGDK India, and Mr. Raghu Anand, Global Head of Technology Learning and Development at EG A/S.

Also present were Rev. Fr. Wilfred Prakash D’Souza, Director, SJEC; Rev. Fr. Kenneth R. Crasta, Assistant Director; and Dr. Rio D’Souza, Principal, SJEC, along with programme convenors Ms. Diana Monteiro and Dr. Shrisha H. S.

Industry insights and encouragement

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Jeevan D’Souza highlighted the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence in shaping the future of the technology industry. He appreciated the participants for their dedication and emphasised the valuable learning experience gained through teamwork, time management, and innovation under pressure.

In his presidential address, Rev. Fr. Wilfred Prakash D’Souza commended the participants and organisers, stating that the future is built through innovation and proactive efforts.

Winners recognised across categories

The winners of HackToFuture 4.0 were announced across various categories:

  • Open Innovation: Winners – OBSIDIAN (Cambridge Institute of Technology, Devanahalli); Runners-up – ABRA CODE ABRA (P.A. College of Engineering, Mangaluru)
  • DevOps: Winners – BROKENCODE (NITK Surathkal); Runners-up – LOGIC LOOPERS (SJEC, Mangaluru)
  • Cybersecurity: Winners – BOSS BANDITS (SJEC, Vamanjoor); Runners-up – NOVAQ (Coimbatore)
  • Cloud Architecture: Winners – CODECLAN (KLE Technological University, Hubli); Runners-up – CLUELESS (AJIET, Mangaluru)

Strengthening innovation ecosystem

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Harivinod, Head of the Department of Intelligent Computing and Business Systems, while Ms. Aroma Peris compered the programme.

HackToFuture 4.0 once again reinforced SJEC’s commitment to fostering a vibrant innovation ecosystem by bridging the gap between academic learning and industry requirements. Participants expressed positive feedback, appreciating the exposure and hands-on experience gained during the hackathon.

The success of the event highlights the importance of collaboration, creativity, and technological excellence in shaping the future of young innovators in India.