Foundathon 2.0 – SRM’s 36-Hour Innovation Marathon

The Founders Club at SRM IST, in collaboration with the Directorate of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (DEI), proudly hosted Foundathon 2.0, a 36-hour offline hackathon held from April 4–6, 2025 at the DEI Inspiration Studio & FabLabs.

This flagship event was more than just a coding sprint—it was an innovation marathon, a celebration of creativity, teamwork, and entrepreneurial problem-solving. Foundathon 2.0 transformed ideas scribbled on notepads into tangible solutions, proving once again why hackathons are the breeding ground for tomorrow’s startups.

What Made Foundathon 2.0 Unique?

Unlike conventional competitions, Foundathon 2.0 was designed as an end-to-end entrepreneurial challenge. It combined ideation, prototyping, pitching, and mentorship, giving participants a real taste of startup building.

Teams of 2–4 members from across disciplines were encouraged to collaborate under unique team names. The diversity of participants—spanning engineers, designers, management students, and innovators—made the event a melting pot of ideas and perspectives.

Event Structure – From Idea to Impact

The hackathon followed a rigorous multi-stage process, ensuring fairness and innovation at every step:

1. Online Screening
   • Registered teams submitted a concise PPT outlining their problem statement, solution, and proposed approach.
   • Judges evaluated entries based on creativity, originality, and feasibility.
   • Only the most promising ideas advanced to the on-ground round.
2. On-Ground Elimination Round
   • Shortlisted teams pitched live to a panel of SRM faculty members.
   • Pitches were assessed for clarity, innovation, and problem-solving potential.
   • Selected teams then progressed into the marathon’s final stretch.
3. 36-Hour Hackathon & Final Evaluation
   • Over two days and nights, teams worked relentlessly—coding, prototyping, and testing under pressure.
   • Coffee cups piled high, sticky notes filled the tables, and laptops glowed late into the night as ideas came alive.
   • In the grand finale, teams pitched to external industry judges, showcasing both their prototypes and their ability to articulate business value.

Atmosphere & Energy

The vibe of Foundathon 2.0 was truly electrifying. Imagine 36 hours of sleepless energy, countless cups of coffee, brainstorming huddles, sudden “aha!” moments, and the buzz of collaboration echoing through the DEI studio.

On Instagram, the club captured it perfectly:

“Foundathon 2.0 was a full-blown innovation fest!”

The hackathon wasn’t just about competing—it was about building. Teams mentored one another, learned in real time, and built prototypes that went far beyond mere concepts.

Rewards Beyond Prizes

Yes, there was a robust prize pool that rewarded the best ideas—but the true prize was the experience. Participants walked away with:

• Real-world pitching practice.
• Peer-to-peer collaboration across disciplines.
• Guidance from mentors and evaluators.
• Confidence to push their ideas beyond the hackathon.

For many, Foundathon 2.0 became a stepping stone toward incubation under DEI, turning projects into potential startups.

Why Foundathon Matters

At the Founders Club, we believe hackathons are more than competitions—they are launchpads. Foundathon 2.0 embodied our mission:

• To encourage innovation-driven learning.
• To provide hands-on entrepreneurial experience.
• To create a community where ideas are tested, challenged, and celebrated.

Events like Foundathon 2.0 remind us that SRM’s students aren’t just learners—they’re creators, innovators, and future founders.

Final Word

Foundathon 2.0 wasn’t just 36 hours of hacking—it was 36 hours of passion, persistence, and progress. Every prototype built, every pitch delivered, and every collaboration sparked carried the spirit of entrepreneurship that drives the Founders Club.

As we look forward to Foundathon 3.0, we carry the same belief: that the best ideas are born when creative minds are given the space, time, and energy to dream, build, and pitch.