By Sanaa Gaikwad and Ankita Gadre for BIS Mumbai

Mumbai, March 29, 2026 — The Don Bosco Institute of Technology, Kurla, hosted ColoHacks 2026, the flagship hackathon of Colosseum 2026, on March 28 and 29. The intercollegiate event brought together 250 students across 68 teams, competing in two parallel tracks: software and hardware.

The hackathon featured 45 teams in the software track and 23 teams in the hardware track. Principal Dr Sudhakar Mande addressed the participants and emphasised the importance of problem-solving and innovation in engineering education.

The software track included three domains: artificial intelligence and machine learning, app development, and web development, with 15 teams in each category. Participants engaged in mentoring sessions and presented their solutions before a panel of judges during the final evaluation round.

The hardware track covered five domains: medical monitoring and health technology, sustainability and climate technology, smart cities and urban infrastructure, robotics and automation, and disaster management. Teams progressed through multiple evaluation stages, supported by mentoring sessions that guided them in refining their projects.

Panels of judges evaluated the projects based on innovation, technical execution, and practical application. Final presentations were held on the second day, where teams demonstrated their solutions and responded to questions from the judges.

The hackathon featured a prize pool of Rs.150,000. The top three teams were awarded Rs.45,000, Rs.25,000, and Rs.15,000 respectively. Additional awards were presented for outstanding performance in specific software domains.

The event provided students with an opportunity to apply technical knowledge to real-world challenges while working in a competitive and collaborative environment. Participants worked in teams to design, develop, and refine their solutions within a limited timeframe.

The closing ceremony was held at Mondini Hall, where the top teams were recognised for their performance. Faculty members and organisers acknowledged the efforts of participants, mentors, and judges in conducting the event.

ColoHacks 2026 highlighted the role of hackathons in promoting innovation, teamwork, and practical learning among engineering students, while encouraging them to address contemporary challenges through technology.