The Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) marking a significant milestone in the sector’s journey towards innovation-led transformation conducted a successful SugarNXT Hackathon 2026 on March 24. 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. 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
Out of the 16 finalists, 8 winning teams—one for each problem statement—were awarded ₹2 lakh each, from a total prize pool of ₹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.
The Grand Finale of held in New Delhi on Mar 24 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.
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. 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.
