Showcasing transformative innovations for India’s Sugar & Bio-Energy sector

The Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) successfully concluded the Grand Finale of the SugarNXT Hackathon 2026 today in New Delhi, marking a significant milestone in the sector’s journey towards innovation-led transformation.

The event was inaugurated by Ashwini Srivastava Joint secretary (Sugar), Ministry of Consumer Affairs Food & Public Distribution, Department of Food and Public Distribution, Government of India, underscoring the growing importance of technology and innovation in advancing the country’s sugar and bio-energy ecosystem.

Envisioned as a first-of-its-kind, industry-driven initiative, the SugarNXT Hackathon brought together students, startups, researchers, technologists, and industry professionals to address real-world challenges across the sugar and bio-energy value chain.

A Celebration of Innovation and Collaboration

The Grand Finale marked the culmination of a structured, multi-phase journey—from ideation and evaluation to mentorship-driven prototype development and final showcase. A key strength of the initiative was its focus on clearly defined, industry-driven problem statements, ensuring that solutions are practical, scalable, and implementation-ready.

ISMA leadership highlighted that the hackathon represents a shift from dialogue to action by creating a platform where real industry challenges meet workable solutions, reinforcing the sector’s transition toward greater efficiency and sustainability.

Strong National Participation

The hackathon witnessed an overwhelming response from across the country:

3,600+ registrations

2,600+ participating teams

500+ high-quality submissions in the final phase

Following a rigorous evaluation process, 16 finalist teams (2 per problem statement) were shortlisted to present at the Grand Finale.

Recognizing Excellence

Out of the finalists, 8 winning teams—one for each problem statement—were awarded Rs 2 lakh each, from a total prize pool of Rs 16 lakh. The winning solutions demonstrated strong technical depth and clear potential for real-world application.

Select innovations will now be showcased at the ISMA SugarNXT Conclave (7–8 April 2026), where they may receive further industry exposure and potential support for scale-up and deployment.

A Launchpad for the Future

The hackathon highlighted how emerging technologies such as AI, process automation, energy optimization, and waste utilization can drive efficiency and value creation across the sector.

The event concluded on a high note, celebrating not only the winners but also the spirit of collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving demonstrated by all participants. More than a competition, the initiative serves as a launchpad for innovators to further refine and scale their solutions for meaningful industry impact.

The successful conclusion of the SugarNXT Hackathon 2026 marks an important step toward building a more resilient, technology-driven, and future-ready sugar and bio-energy sector in India.