The first edition of the ET GenAI Hackathon by The Economic Times has officially come to a close, with the final results announced. What began as an ambitious national challenge has ended with some standout winners who impressed judges with their creativity, clarity of thought and ability to build real GenAI solutions. From over 54,000 registrations across India, only a select few teams advanced to the final stage, competing for a total prize pool of ₹10 lakh.
The grand champion of the hackathon was Team Gunnamsakethoo, led by Gunnam Sai Saketh Ram, winning the top prize of ₹5 lakh. The winning solution stood out for its strong technical foundation, clear problem-solving approach and real-world relevance, helping the team secure the highest honours in the competition.
The second prize of ₹3 lakh was awarded to Team Enigma Trio, comprising Shaun Mendes, Susan Fernandes and Sharian Dabre. The team was recognised for its collaborative effort and innovative thinking, with a solution that showed strong potential for practical use and scale.
The third prize of ₹2 lakh went to Team Braindeads, made up of Arnav Gupta and Avishi Agrawal. Their project impressed the jury with its originality and thoughtful use of generative AI, earning them a place among the top winners of the first edition.
The hackathon followed a rigorous three-phase format, starting with an online assessment and idea submission, moving into a prototype-building phase, and ending with final presentations before an industry jury. In the end, just 20 teams reached the finale, making the win a significant achievement in a highly competitive field.
Beyond prize money, the winners and finalists gained nationwide visibility, along with certification, mentorship and exposure to hiring partners and industry leaders. For many participants, the hackathon became a chance to turn ideas into working products and showcase their skills on a national stage.
Now, as the first edition pulls its curtains down and takes its final bow, it also leaves the door open for what comes next. The second edition of the ET AI Hackathon is already live, inviting a new wave of builders to step forward, test their ideas and build real-world AI solutions.
Registrations are now open for those ready to take on the challenge.
The grand champion of the hackathon was Team Gunnamsakethoo, led by Gunnam Sai Saketh Ram, winning the top prize of ₹5 lakh. The winning solution stood out for its strong technical foundation, clear problem-solving approach and real-world relevance, helping the team secure the highest honours in the competition.
The second prize of ₹3 lakh was awarded to Team Enigma Trio, comprising Shaun Mendes, Susan Fernandes and Sharian Dabre. The team was recognised for its collaborative effort and innovative thinking, with a solution that showed strong potential for practical use and scale.
The third prize of ₹2 lakh went to Team Braindeads, made up of Arnav Gupta and Avishi Agrawal. Their project impressed the jury with its originality and thoughtful use of generative AI, earning them a place among the top winners of the first edition.
The hackathon followed a rigorous three-phase format, starting with an online assessment and idea submission, moving into a prototype-building phase, and ending with final presentations before an industry jury. In the end, just 20 teams reached the finale, making the win a significant achievement in a highly competitive field.
Beyond prize money, the winners and finalists gained nationwide visibility, along with certification, mentorship and exposure to hiring partners and industry leaders. For many participants, the hackathon became a chance to turn ideas into working products and showcase their skills on a national stage.
Now, as the first edition pulls its curtains down and takes its final bow, it also leaves the door open for what comes next. The second edition of the ET AI Hackathon is already live, inviting a new wave of builders to step forward, test their ideas and build real-world AI solutions.
Registrations are now open for those ready to take on the challenge.
