Kathmandu. ‘InnoVision’, a team that presented a technology-based solution to protect farmers’ crops from the growing monkey menace in rural areas, has won the ‘Build Nepal Hackathon 2026’ organized by Mid-Valley International College.
The two-day hackathon, held on Saturday and Sunday (August 1 and 2) at Mid-Valley International College in Kathmandu under the theme ‘Build Today, Transform Tomorrow’, saw the four-member ‘InnoVision’ team comprising Samriddhi Dumre, Grishma Karki, Prachi Magar and Prince KC from Sunway College win the grand prize of Rs. 50,000.
The team presented a technology-based solution aimed at addressing the problems faced by farmers due to the increasing monkey menace in rural areas in recent years.
Similarly, the ‘Sentinaz’ team, comprising students of Mid-Valley International College, was named runner-up for presenting a concept aimed at managing the transportation sector through digital technology. The team comprising Shishir Neupane, Swikriti Timilsina and Aditya Bhandari received a cash prize of Rs. 25,000.
More than 60 young participants, divided into 21 multidisciplinary teams, took part in the hackathon organized by Mid-Valley International College. Participants aged between 16 and 24 developed functional prototypes and minimum viable products (MVPs) focused on solving real-world problems in Nepal using artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics and cloud technologies.
The hackathon featured competition among participating teams to develop innovative solutions in six thematic areas: smart city, smart agriculture, education and learning, tourism and heritage, cybersecurity, and the digital economy.
Mid-Valley International College Managing Director Rital Rana thanked all the students who participated in the hackathon and said that the use of new technologies has been growing rapidly in recent times. She said that although students may have innovative ideas, their impact remains limited if they are unable to present those ideas effectively, emphasizing the need for such programs to provide platforms for students to showcase their ideas and creativity.
“Even if students have very good ideas in their minds, those ideas cannot be utilized effectively if they are unable to present them,” she said. “If ideas and technologies can be brought to the public through such programs, many people and families can benefit from them.”
At the event, Alpha Beta Chief Subash Thapa said his organization would provide support to students in the areas of counselling and guidance required in the coming days. He also expressed a commitment to continuing support for programs that encourage digital skills and innovation among young people.
Similarly, Mid-Valley International College’s Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) Program Manager Sudip Lal Bajimaya said that reducing the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application was the main objective of the hackathon.
He said that students participating in 21 different teams spent two days turning their ideas, skills and creativity into practical applications and technology-based products. He added that experts and mentors from various information technology companies provided direct guidance to the participating teams on technical and practical aspects.
Bajimaya said that the use of AI has been growing rapidly in recent times and that most of the teams participating in the hackathon had presented AI-related projects. He stressed the need to give priority to AI in Nepal’s education system and curriculum as well. “The projects developed by today’s students show the level at which AI is currently being used and the kind of need Nepal has for such technology,” he said. “The government also needs to prioritize technology-based solutions, incorporate AI into education and curricula, and take initiatives to implement useful technologies developed by students.”
He further said that young innovators would play a significant role in Nepal’s development over the coming decade. He added that opportunities to work directly with experienced experts from the industry would help young people develop technology-based solutions capable of addressing real-world problems in the country.
Hackathon judge, technology entrepreneur and founder of CityTech Sajan Sharma said that the projects presented by the students were very good and impressive. Referring to the rapid growth in the use of AI, he emphasized that students should continuously develop their capabilities in line with the changing nature of technology.
“There are opportunities emerging in various sectors for students today,” Sharma said. “To take advantage of those opportunities, it is necessary to keep yourself prepared in emerging technologies, including AI.” Similarly, IME Khalti Limited Co-founder and Director Amit Agrawal urged students to think differently from traditional approaches while developing new products and ideas. He said that expected success cannot be achieved if solutions are developed without reaching the root cause of a problem.
“One must identify the root cause of any problem and seek a solution accordingly. A long-term solution is not possible unless the actual cause of a problem is identified,” Agrawal said. He urged students to remain committed to developing new ideas, innovation and practical solutions.
During the hackathon, eight experts and mentors from the information technology sector provided direct guidance to the participating teams. Experts from IT companies including Proshore, Pinakin Technologies and Genesel provided the participants with necessary technical and practical support and consultation.
On the final day, the participating teams presented the minimum viable products (MVPs) they had developed before the judging panel. The final presentations were evaluated by Sajan Sharma; Manish Khemka, Managing Director of BLC Global Holdings Pvt. Ltd. and Chairman of Global Equity Fund; and Amit Agrawal, Co-founder and Director of IME Khalti Limited. The organizers said that the event was supported by organizations and technology-sector partners including Alpha Beta, Genese, Vianet, Dami Experience, Pinakin Technology and Proshore Nepal Pvt. Ltd.
The hackathon organized by Mid-Valley International College aimed to promote digital innovation led by young people and develop practical, technology-based solutions to address real-world problems in Nepal. The college said that such programs play an important role in transforming students’ theoretical knowledge into practical skills and products.
Located in Gyaneshwor, Kathmandu, Mid-Valley International College has been offering undergraduate programs in information technology, management and hospitality. The college said it aims to advance students in the fields of technology, leadership and innovation through practical and industry-oriented education.