Introduction
INDCON’26 is a 48-hour hybrid industrial innovation hackathon organized by the College of Engineering (CEG), Guindy, where teams of 3–4 students build solutions to real-world industrial challenges aligned with Industry 4.0. This article covers the event format and timeline, team registration and the mandatory pre-event briefing, the 48-hour development cycle with scheduled mentorship, the exact final submission requirements, and how shortlisted teams pitch at the hybrid Grand Finale. Read on for a clear, step-by-step explanation of what participants must deliver and how winners are evaluated at INDCON’26.
Event Overview & Format
INDCON’26 runs as a hybrid industrial innovation hackathon spanning exactly 48 hours after the official theme release. Participation is team-based, with each team consisting of 3–4 students. The hackathon focuses on solving industrial problems that are aligned with Industry 4.0, emphasizing solutions that respond to contemporary industrial needs. The theme for the event is announced at 5:00 PM, and immediately after release teams begin the 48-hour development window. The hybrid format means that activities, including the Grand Finale, accommodate both physical and virtual participation.
Registration and Pre-Event Briefing
Participants must register as teams prior to INDCON’26. Registered teams are required to attend a pre-event briefing that covers the rules, orientation, and a Q&A segment. This briefing sets expectations and clarifies the procedural details teams need to follow during the 48-hour period. Attendance at the briefing ensures teams understand submission formats, the timeline tied to the 5:00 PM theme release, and how to access mentorship throughout the hackathon.
48-Hour Development Cycle and Mentorship
Once the theme is officially released at 5:00 PM, teams have 48 hours to work on their entry. During this period participants must:
- Identify a problem within the released theme area.
- Develop a solution framework or prototype that addresses the identified problem.
- Prepare the final presentation that will be submitted for evaluation.
Mentorship sessions are provided throughout the hackathon to guide teams as they refine problem definitions, design models or frameworks, and shape implementation plans. Use these mentorship opportunities to validate assumptions, align the proposed solution with Industry 4.0 objectives, and ensure the deliverables are presentation-ready within the 48-hour window.
Final Submission Requirements and What to Include
At the end of the hackathon teams submit a final document in one of the accepted formats (PPT, PDF, or DOCX). The submission should clearly present the project and include the following elements:
- Problem definition — a concise explanation of the industrial problem the team has identified within the released theme.
- Proposed solution — the core idea or innovation that addresses the defined problem.
- Model/framework — the conceptual or technical structure showing how the solution works.
- Implementation plan — practical steps for realizing the solution in an industrial context.
- Impact analysis (optional) — evidence of potential impact, which may include a prototype, simulation, data analysis, or design models.
Ensure the submission is focused and organized so shortlisted reviewers can quickly assess innovation, feasibility, and implementation potential.
Evaluation, Grand Finale, and Rewards
Shortlisted teams are invited to a hybrid Grand Finale where each team presents a concise pitch followed by Q&A. Presentation details are:
- Pitch duration: 5–7 minutes.
- Q&A: 3 minutes following the pitch.
Winners are selected based on three key criteria: innovation, feasibility, and implementation potential. Rewards include Best Innovation Awards and certificates for finalists. The hybrid Grand Finale format ensures both in-person and remote judges and audiences can participate in the final evaluation and award announcements.
Conclusion
INDCON’26 is a focused, 48-hour hybrid industrial innovation hackathon by College of Engineering (CEG), Guindy, where teams of 3–4 students respond to an Industry 4.0–aligned theme released at 5:00 PM. Participants must register in teams, attend a pre-event briefing covering rules and orientation, use mentorship during the 48-hour development window, and submit a final PPT/PDF/DOCX that includes problem definition, proposed solution, model/framework, implementation plan, and optional impact analysis. Shortlisted teams pitch for 5–7 minutes at a hybrid Grand Finale with 3 minutes of Q&A; winners are chosen for innovation, feasibility, and implementation potential and receive Best Innovation Awards and finalist certificates. Prepare submissions that clearly convey problem, solution, and practical impact to maximize chances at INDCON’26.