Bangalore. 13 April 2023. Mistral, a technology design and systems engineering company, along with AXISCADES Technologies Limited, its parent company, is pleased to announce the launch of HackFest-2023 for engineering students. The Hackfest-23 will challenge students to build and showcase innovative technology solutions that can solve challenging real-world problems faced by the industry and society.

In 2022, Mistral introduced Hackfest-22 with an objective to encourage students and showcase their innovative technology solutions. The competition witnessed the participation of over 424 teams consisting of 800 students from 50-plus engineering colleges. The team PLANCKPLAY from Kongu Engineering College, Perundurai (Erode), TN were declared the Winners. The first and second runners-up of the competition were team ENIGMA and ARISING-HACKERS from Bangalore Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, KA and KCG College of Technology, Chennai, TN respectively. Two consolation prizes were also given to team UTKARSH and VISION from Bangalore Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, KA, and Sri Sairam Engineering College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, respectively.

The HackFest-23 competition is comparatively larger in scale and is going to be more magnific, and will be held in three categories – Electronics, Digitization, and Mechanical. Each category will require participants to develop a solution that addresses a specific real-world challenge. The competition will offer unmatched opportunities to think out-of-the-box, challenge creativity, and demonstrate ground-breaking ideas.

“The Hackfest-23 serves as a bridge between the academic and professional worlds, allowing students to collaborate with industry experts and gain valuable experience. With this opportunity, students can not only develop their skills but also form connections with professionals who may serve as mentors or future colleagues. This competition is an invaluable platform for students to showcase their talents, ultimately propelling them towards success in the professional world. Let Hackfest-23 pave the way for a bright and promising future for our young minds,” said Rajeev Ramachandra, Group CTO of AXISCADES Technologies Ltd.

The 2023 edition of HackFest will be conducted in collaboration with the Bangalore Institute of Technology (BIT, Bengaluru), one of India’s premier engineering institutes. The event is open to all engineering students, providing a platform for young minds to showcase their talent and ingenuity.

Arun Krishnamurthi, CEO & MD of AXISCADES Technologies Ltd. commented “HackFest2023 is an opportunity for us to connect with the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers, and for them to experience the tech industry challenges. At AXISCADES, we value innovation and outside-the-box thinking, and we believe that events like these can help foster that spirit of innovation. We look forward to seeing what the bright young minds students come up with, and we hope that this experience will be a valuable one for all involved and contribute to the growth of our industry.”

The winners of the HackFest-23 competition will be awarded cash-prize along with internship opportunities with both Mistral and AXISCADES. The internship program will provide students with an excellent opportunity to work with leading engineering services providers on live projects, gaining valuable experience and exposure to the industry.

“This competition provides students with a unique platform to showcase their talent and creativity to the world. The opportunity to win a substantial cash reward not only recognizes their hard work but also provides a steppingstone towards a promising future. With the industry tycoons as their audience, students can gain recognition and confidence in their abilities. This competition not only showcases their learnings but also serves as a launchpad for their careers, giving them the opportunity to enter the industry with confidence and pride. Hackfest-23 is going to be the beginning of a remarkable journey for these bright minds,” said Mr Mujahid Alam, CEO of Mistral Solutions.

Hackfest-23 will open on Friday, 14th April and will be conducted in three phases from April to June. The grand finale will be held at BIT, Bangalore, where the top teams will demonstrate their solutions. Interested participants are encouraged to visit the website www.mistralsolutions.com/hackfest-2023/ to register for the event.