Real Problems.
Real Builders.
24 Hours Non-Stop.
all builders
assemble
Teams of 2–5•Ideate • Build • Test • Pitch
THE MISSION
// OFFICIAL HOST & FACILITY PARTNER • OCT 15–16, 2026
Citadel Hackathon Connects With K.S.R. College of Engineering
K.S.R. College of Engineering is the premier autonomous institution providing all world-class physical spaces, high-throughput computational laboratories, continuous power systems, and hospitality facilities for the 24-hour sprint.
K.S.R. College of Engineering
K.S.R. Kalvi Nagar, Tiruchengode, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu 637215
K.S.R. College of Engineering (Autonomous) is the proud official host institution providing the complete physical, computing, network, incubation, and hospitality facilities for Citadel Hackathon.
Campus Facilities Provided for Citadel Hackathon
500+ Seater Air-Conditioned Central Auditorium
Equipped with state-of-the-art stage acoustics, high-lumens LED displays, and media streaming setups for the Grand Inaugural, Keynotes, and Final Pitch Arena.
High-Performance Workspaces & Coding Labs
Round-the-clock dedicated developer desks with ergonomic seating, dual-ISP high-speed Gigabit fiber Wi-Fi, and continuous power charging points.
Continuous Power Infrastructure
Dual heavy-duty online UPS systems coupled with automated campus diesel generator failovers ensuring zero electrical disruption during the 24-hour sprint.
Incubation Cell & Prototyping Labs
Full access to campus innovation laboratories, hardware prototyping benches, IoT sensors, and post-hackathon seed incubation pathways.
Overnight Accommodation & Campus Hospitality
Secure separate rest lounges for male and female participants, 24/7 dining hall and food kiosks, emergency first-aid station, and campus security.
Navigate to Campus
Get real-time directions, travel time, and transit options directly via Google Maps to K.S.R. College of Engineering.
// Places & Infrastructure • K.S.R. College of Engineering
7 Dedicated Zones at KSRCE Campus.
Hosted across K.S.R. College of Engineering’s premier autonomous campus — from the 500-seat Main Auditorium to round-the-clock prototyping labs and quiet rest zones.
Main Auditorium
Keynotes, Pitches & Grand CITADEL Launch
The primary venue for the Grand Inauguration, keynote addresses, general briefings, final awards ceremony, and the formal launch of the CITADEL student startup community.
- •Dual High-Lumen Projectors & Presentation Screens
- •State-of-the-art Sound & Wireless Microphone System
- •Live Streaming & Recording Rig
- •Keynote Stage & Podium
Gigabit Dual-ISP Wi-Fi
Redundant high-speed dedicated wireless networks with multi-SSID failover for 200+ active devices.
Continuous Power Backup
Heavy-duty UPS protection and automated campus diesel generators ensuring zero downtime during builds.
24/7 Campus Security
Dedicated perimeter checkpoints, overnight student safety marshals, and badge-only facility access.
Medical & First-Aid Desk
On-call medical attendants, first-aid kits, and emergency transit coordination available throughout 48 hours.
WHO WILL BUILD THE FUTURE?
ONE OF THE 35–70 TEAM SPOTS COULD BE YOURS.
Turning real-world problems into innovative, technology-driven solutions. Bring together 2–5 student builders across engineering, design, and business. Build your prototype and launch your startup with CITADEL.
// Challenge Tracks
6 Problem-Driven Domains.
Instead of one rigid prompt, choose from six approved innovation tracks. Identify a meaningful real-world problem and develop an innovative, feasible, and scalable technology solution.
AI & Emerging Technology
Build intelligent systems leveraging Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Generative AI, Computer Vision, and Automation.
FinTech & Digital Economy
Engineer modern solutions for Payments, Financial Inclusion, Fraud Detection, Personal Finance, and Digital Commerce.
Smart Campus & Education
Create impactful student solutions, campus automation tools, EdTech platforms, and administrative systems.
Healthcare & Social Impact
Address accessibility challenges, healthcare delivery, community solutions, and assistive technologies.
Sustainability & Smart Environment
Pioneer solutions for Waste Management, Clean Energy, Water Conservation, Climate Action, and Smart Infrastructure.
Open Innovation
Solve any meaningful real-world problem that cuts across industries or addresses unique institutional challenges.
// The Hackathon Pipeline
Five rounds. One build. No hiding.
Every team progresses through five structured rounds designed to bridge classroom theory, practical application, prototype development, and entrepreneurship. Here's the arc.
Problem Discovery & Registration
Participants register individually or as multidisciplinary teams (2–5 members). Teams dive into real-world observation to identify meaningful challenges across the 6 approved domains.
Idea Submission & Concept Note
Teams formulate and submit their structured concept note detailing: problem validation, target beneficiaries, proposed technology architecture, feasibility analysis, and expected impact.
Idea Screening & Shortlisting
A panel of academic and industry evaluators screens submissions against problem relevance (15%) and innovation (20%) criteria to shortlist teams for the intensive development sprint.
Prototype Development & Mentoring
Teams move into high gear in the 24-hour hackathon workspace. Industry mentors and startup founders walk the floor to review architectures mid-build, stress-test logic, and guide technical development.
Demo, Final Pitch & CITADEL Launch
Finalist teams present a 5-part pitch (Problem → Solution → Demo → Impact → Business & Scale Potential) before the grand jury. Immediately following awards, the CITADEL startup community is formally launched.
// The Journey
From concept note to startup launch.
CITADEL HACKATHON provides a structured pipeline: Classroom Knowledge → Practical Application → Innovation → Entrepreneurship. Build your prototype under time constraints, collaborate in multidisciplinary teams (2–5 members), and keep moving forward.
Submit Concept Note
Identify a meaningful real-world problem across the approved tracks and submit your structured concept note detailing problem validation and proposed stack.
Idea Screening & Shortlisting
Academic and industry evaluators review submissions on problem relevance (15%) and innovation (20%) to qualify teams for the sprint.
Build & Prototype Sprint
Build your functional prototype in the hackathon workspace with hands-on technical guidance from founders, architects, and industry mentors.
Pitch & Startup Induction
Present your 5-part pitch before the grand jury, compete for awards, and transition into CITADEL for post-hackathon incubation and mentorship.
Ready to turn your hackathon idea into a real startup?
Registration is open for teams of 2 to 5 students across all departments.
// Awards & Recognition • Consolidated Prize Pool
Single Grand Prize Pool
All hackathon honors, cash grants, physical trophies, institutional credentials, and acceleration support are combined into one unified prize ecosystem.
Total Combined Prize Pool
Every participant and finalist team competes under a merit-based 100-point judging system across all 6 challenge tracks to claim this prize pool.
Direct Cash Bounty
Liquid cash awards disbursed directly to top innovative solutions and high-impact prototypes.
Incubation & Seed Mentorship
Direct induction into the CITADEL Startup Community with workspace, seed access, and founder advisory.
Angel Investor & VC Pitch Access
Closed-door presentation opportunities to angel syndicates, venture funds, and partner tech leaders.
Official Institutional Credentials
Accredited certificates of excellence, distinction, and participation recognized by K.S.R. College of Engineering.
Podium Trophies & Mementos
Custom-crafted CITADEL physical trophies, winner medals, and commemorative memorabilia.
Cloud Credits & Developer Perks
Cloud infrastructure credits, developer tooling quotas, API access, and partner merchandise kits.
// Event Timeline & Operational Agenda
The Hackathon Roadmap.
From the 30-day pre-hackathon countdown through the intensive 24-hour development sprint to the official launch of CITADEL, explore the complete operational agenda.
Inauguration, Ideation & Overnight Build
Participant Check-in & Badge Distribution
Round 1: RegistrationID verification, Wi-Fi credentials, hackathon swag kit collection, and welcome breakfast.
Grand Inauguration Ceremony
Welcome address by Faculty Coordinator, inaugural keynote by industry guests, and event briefing.
Challenge Track & Central Problem Statement Briefing
Deep-dive into the 6 challenge domains, evaluation rubric walkthrough, and mentor introductions.
Team Ideation & Problem Discovery Workshop
Teams finalize their core problem statement and draft preliminary architectural blueprints.
Networking Lunch & Informal Mentoring
Nutritious lunch and informal interaction with roaming industry mentors and track advisors.
Concept Note Submission Deadline
Round 2: Idea SubmissionTeams submit problem definition, target users, proposed solution, technology stack, and expected impact.
Idea Screening & Shortlisting by Jury
Round 3: Idea ScreeningEvaluation of concept notes on Problem Relevance (15%) and Innovation (20%) to qualify teams.
24-Hour Prototype Development Sprint Officially Starts
Round 4: Build PhaseHeads-down build phase begins. Coding stations activate, servers run, and code repositories initialize.
Dinner & Mid-Build Refreshment
Hot dinner service and energy beverage stations.
Midnight Review & Technical Mentoring Round
Round 5: MentorshipSenior developers and startup founders review codebases mid-build, stress-test logic, and unblock teams.
Overnight Coding Sprint & Rest Zone Access
Continuous coffee, midnight snacks, uninterrupted power, and safe quiet rest zones for sleeping.
// Organizing Directorate
Coordinators & Organizing Desks.
Led by the K.S.R. College of Engineering Faculty Directorate, Founding Organizers, and Student Hackathon Director across 10 specialized operational teams to ensure seamless campus logistics, technical infrastructure, and startup continuity.
Faculty Coordinator
Overall institutional coordination, administrative approvals, K.S.R. College of Engineering campus facility provisioning, university liaison, and academic oversight.
Hackathon Director
Overall event management, timeline execution, inter-team orchestration, and participant experience.
Technical Team
Network infrastructure, redundant Wi-Fi, power backup, submission portals, Git repositories, and developer API support.
Operations Team
Venue management, table allocations, registration logistics, schedule adherence, and equipment provisioning.
Community Team (New)
Plans and runs the CITADEL community launch, founding-member sign-ups, onboarding flow, and post-event mentor calendar.
Sponsorship Team
Sponsor acquisition, sponsorship packages, industry partner relations, API/cloud credit distribution, and VIP liaison.
Marketing Team
Digital marketing campaigns, social media broadcasts, posters, college network outreach, and PR announcements.
Hospitality Team
Catering, drinking water, meals, guest management, judge transportation, and mentor liaison.
Finance Team
Budget management, vendor payments, expense tracking, invoice processing, and financial reporting.
Documentation Team
Event photography, videography, milestone recap reels, final report generation, and certificate verification.
Academic & Directorate Governance
Citadel Hackathon operates under formal institutional governance, signed and ratified by the Faculty Coordinator, Head of Department (HOD), and the Principal / Head of Institution.
// Partnership Ecosystem
Sponsorship & Partner Network
Collaborate with CITADEL HACKATHON to connect with 200+ elite student innovators, promote cutting-edge developer tools, and gain exclusive early access to collegiate startups.
Institutional Keynote Partner
Highest visibility across stage, marketing, event merchandise, and keynote addresses.
Cloud & Dev Infrastructure
Provides software licenses, cloud compute, AI APIs, and technical workshops for participants.
Incubation & Startup Accelerator
Provides ongoing co-working access, seed mentorship, and incubation pipelines for winning teams.
Talent & Recruitment Partner
Dedicated exhibition booth, jury representation, and direct recruitment access to top 200 coders.
Rewards & Developer Kit Sponsor
Co-branded cash prizes, developer hardware kits, and official hackathon participant apparel.
Outreach & Digital Promotion
Multi-channel digital marketing, photo/videography coverage, and collegiate community broadcasting.
// FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
Clear answers on eligibility, team size, overnight logistics, evaluation criteria, and the CITADEL startup community.
Real Problems. Real Builders.
24 Hours to Build & Win.
Form your team of 2–5 builders, sprint non-stop at K.S.R. College of Engineering, and compete for the ₹1,00,000 prize pool with full food, stay, and mentorship provided.