The journey of Build for Bengaluru began long before the hackathon weekend. Students of SKIT took to the Streets of Bengaluru from the bustling Commercial Street to the serene Cubbon Park, and the iconic Vidhana Soudha engaging directly with the city’s heartbeat. They conversed with street vendors, daily commuters, and local residents, listening to their everyday struggles, from traffic chaos and waste management to urban accessibility and safety.

But the exploration didn’t stop there. In a unique initiative called “Gig Workers Connect,” students met with delivery partners and ride-share workers, hearing first-hand about the difficulties they face from unpredictable traffic patterns and navigation issues to safety and income stability. These honest conversations revealed real, unsolved problems that became the foundation of the hackathon’s problem statements.

When the 12-hour hackathon kicked off, energy filled the SKIT campus. Teams brainstormed relentlessly, transforming insights from their field research into innovative tech solutions under five major themes Mobility, Public Safety, Sustainability, Education, and Governance.
Throughout the event, mentors guided participants, helping them refine ideas and build prototypes ready for real-world application. The atmosphere was electric collaboration, competition, and creativity all in one space.

The hackathon concluded with Cosmic (East Point College) winning the top prize of ₹50,000, followed by Notarc (SKIT) securing ₹25,000, and Ekalavya Engines (BMSIT) earning ₹5,000 - a fitting recognition of innovation driven by purpose and collaboration.

Adding to the vibrancy, pre-events like Crack the Password, CADD Design Contest, Treasure Hunt, Online Chess Tournament, and Tharle Box (a stand-up comedy show by Akshay Kumar and Sandesh Kumar) kept the spirit high. Mentor Together sessions also played a vital role, offering guidance on career paths and skill development.

The spirit behind BFB was powered by a dedicated student-led Core Committee, led by CEO Ms. Samiksha, whose vision, coordination, and round-the-clock efforts transformed the hackathon into a city-scale initiative. Strong faculty–student collaboration was evident in every stage of planning and execution, culminating in a celebration of community, technology, and purpose.

By the end of 12 hours, BFB wasn’t just a hackathon it was a reflection of what happens when young minds and a city’s pulse come together to innovate for change.