Young Innovators Shine at OdiaPreneur Smart Odisha Hackathon 3.0

Bhubaneswar: The OdiaPreneur Smart Odisha Hackathon 3.0, a state-level initiative aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurial skills among young learners, is set to engage thousands of Higher Secondary students across Odisha. The hackathon is being jointly organised by the Directorate of Higher Secondary Education (DHSE), IIT Bhubaneswar’s Research and Entrepreneurship division, and UNICEF.

Marking the formal launch of the initiative, DHSE Director Niyati Pattnaik unveiled the OdiaPreneur web portal today. The portal will serve as a digital gateway for students to submit their creative ideas, with guidance from mentors, and take part in the upcoming statewide competition.

Speaking at the launch event, Pattnaik said the Smart Odisha Hackathon will bring together the most innovative ideas from students across the state. She emphasised that the initiative will not only nurture creativity but will also expose students to industry interactions and entrepreneurial learning, helping them understand real-world problem solving.

Representatives from partnering institutions expressed strong support for the programme. Dr. Naresh Chandra Sahu, Assistant Professor at IIT Bhubaneswar, said the institute is proud to collaborate with DHSE to strengthen the innovation ecosystem for Odisha’s youth. He noted that experts from diverse fields will mentor students and help them refine their solutions. UNICEF Education Specialist Lalita Pattnaik praised the initiative, highlighting that the hackathon will empower students to channel their ideas toward addressing real social challenges.

The third edition of the Smart Odisha Hackathon is expected to witness participation from more than 3,000 students, with over 900 innovative ideas anticipated. Students from Classes XI and XII of Higher Secondary Schools and Odisha Adarsha Vidyalayas will take part in the competition, which will be held in December 2025 and January 2026. The event will unfold across three stages—school, district and state level—and will focus on themes such as agriculture, healthcare, renewable energy and waste management.