The Madhya Pradesh government is gearing up to host a landmark state-level hackathon, Hack and Make 2026, aiming to harness technology for solving critical challenges. The event seeks to boost exports and address persistent issues faced by farmers, artisans, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) while creating a robust platform for homegrown startups.
A First-of-its-Kind Innovation Sprint in Bhopal
Scheduled for January 11 in Bhopal, this unique 12-hour innovation sprint is a pioneering initiative in India. It converges software development, hardware prototyping, and export facilitation into a single, intense event. Officials emphasize that the focus is squarely on creating practical technology interventions that can be deployed on the ground.
The goal is to improve farm productivity, strengthen small-scale manufacturing, and help local products under the One District One Product (ODOP) programme reach global markets. Over 500 teams registered for the hackathon, with more than 1,500 participants applying from across the nation.
Three Tracks for Tangible Impact
After a rigorous screening process, 90 teams have been shortlisted for the final sprint, with 30 teams competing in each of the three dedicated tracks:
- CODE IT: Focuses on software solutions for agriculture, education, healthcare, and e-governance.
- BUILD IT: Challenges teams to develop hardware prototypes for agri-automation, renewable energy, and IoT-based applications.
- SHIP IT: Works on export readiness platforms designed to connect ODOP producers from all 55 districts of Madhya Pradesh with international buyers.
Around 80% of the participants are from Madhya Pradesh, including 30 to 40 from Indore, with the remaining teams coming from other states.
Moving Beyond Ideas to Implementation
Organised by the state's MSME department in partnership with FICCI and Incubation Masters, the hackathon is deliberately designed to move beyond mere ideation. Dilip Kumar, Commissioner of MSME, stated that the initiative is about pushing innovation past the concept stage.
"This is about nurturing start-ups by creating a platform where technology solutions can be tested, refined and connected to real markets," Kumar said. "Hack and Make 2026 is meant to help innovators work directly with govt and industry, so their solutions can be deployed for farmers, artisans and MSMEs."
He highlighted the export track, noting, "The export-focused track, especially for ODOP products, will help bridge market access gaps and support the state's export growth objectives."
Post-Event Support for Scaling Success
To ensure the solutions don't fade after the event, selected teams will receive comprehensive support. This includes incubation support, pilot opportunities, and post-event mentorship to help scale successful prototypes into viable products and services. This end-to-end approach underscores the state's commitment to fostering a sustainable innovation ecosystem that directly contributes to economic growth and problem-solving for its key sectors.
