The Entrepreneurship Cell (E-Cell) of IIIT Hyderabad has successfully concluded Megathon 2025: The Deccan Edition, held on October 11–12. With over 1,100 student participants from 62 colleges across India, the 24-hour hackathon reaffirmed its status as Hyderabad’s largest student-run innovation marathon.
The event featured a ₹7-lakh prize pool and was supported by leading sponsors, including CHUBB as the title sponsor, Qualcomm and Bhashini for challenge statements, and Saral AI as the social sponsor.
Key Highlights of Megathon 2025
- Massive Participation: Over 1,100 students competed in teams, addressing real-world problem statements.
- Top-20 Finalists: The best 20 teams pitched their ideas in high-energy lightning sessions before an expert panel.
- Diverse Themes: Challenges covered areas ranging from AI and deep tech to social innovation, encouraging a blend of technical skill and societal impact.
- Rewards & Mentorship: Winners received cash prizes from the ₹7-lakh purse. In addition, finalists gained mentorship, feedback, and networking opportunities with industry experts and startup founders.
- 10th Anniversary Celebration: This edition marked 10 years of E-Cell IIIT Hyderabad, making it a milestone event in the city’s startup calendar.
Fostering Innovation and Entrepreneurial Thinking
More than just a coding contest, Megathon serves as a bridge between academia and industry. It helps students turn ideas into prototypes, build teams, and connect with professionals who can guide them further.
Under its motto — “Meet. Ideate. Hack.” — The hackathon nurtures Hyderabad’s growing identity as a student-driven innovation hub.
“Megathon gives students space to think big, fail fast, and learn — that’s how true innovation begins,” said Shaik K. N. Akthar, coordinator of E-Cell. His co-coordinator, Vishak Kashyap, added, “If they can build something impressive in just 24 hours, imagine what they can achieve with time and persistence.”
About E-Cell IIIT Hyderabad
The Entrepreneurship Cell of IIIT Hyderabad aims to promote innovation, creativity, and startup culture among students. Through hackathons, workshops, and mentorship programs, E-Cell continues to strengthen Hyderabad’s reputation as a rising hub for technology and entrepreneurship.
