Brand Karnataka > Season 2
A student innovation initiative by Ms. Aisshwarya DKS Hegde — involving school students in providing solutions to the problems and challenges of the state. A unique way of building Active Citizenship.
Rounds to the State Finale
Grades · all boards, PU Colleges
Regions · Bengaluru, Hubballi, Mysuru
There is no entry fee
Execution Partner
Global Academy of Technology (GAT)
Concept & Knowledge Partner
Greycaps
[ About Ideathon '26 ]
Ideathon '26 is an interschool student innovation initiative by Ms. Aisshwarya DKS Hegde, a young and charismatic educator from the state of Karnataka. Her vision is to involve school students in providing solutions to the problems and challenges of the state.
In 2024, India witnessed the first serious initiative supported by a state government to involve school students in solving the problems of the city of Bengaluru. Fabulous ideas emerged that shaped future pathways for the city — and taught youngsters valuable lessons in Active Citizenship. Inspired by that success, the idea now extends to three cities of the state, followed by a State Finale in Bengaluru.
The Founder
Convenor · Ideathon & Youth Leadership Summit
A young and charismatic educator from the state of Karnataka. Her vision is to involve school students in providing solutions to the problems and challenges of the state — a unique way of building Active Citizenship. One idea from the Season 1 top 7 was adopted for implementation by her.
Who can take part
Grades 09 to 12 · all boards. Open only to institutions located in the state of Karnataka.
Entry fee
Registrations are accepted school-wise — one team per school.
Regional caps
First 300 entries in Bengaluru, first 100 each at Hubballi and Mysuru will be accepted.
The challenge
Registered schools receive a detailed brief. Teams pick a problem area from the list provided — or one of their own — and build a full solution and implementation plan.
Sample problem areas
Students are given finite and specific problem areas to work on and choose the one they care about most. Solutions broadly revolve around the SDG Goals 2030. In Season 1 solutions ranged from wirelessly integrating ambulances into traffic signals, pink booths for menstruating women at public places, and separate disposal streams for floral and vegetable waste, to name a few.
Some indicative areas that require ideas…
Schools can pick ANY ONE of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals from the SDG stack and map it to Karnataka.
Indicative only — the final problem list is shared in the detailed brief sent to registered schools.
Format
Round 1 is online. Rounds 2, 3 and 4 are in-person rounds held across Bengaluru, Hubballi and Mysuru.
Each school team submits a three-minute video introducing themselves and their solution, along with a write-up. The top 25 schools / PU colleges in each region qualify to the Semi Final after screening by a panel of judges.
The top 25 in each region present their idea along with an execution plan to a set of jury members at an offline screening event. The top 6 to 8 schools qualify to the Regional Finale.
The top 6 to 8 schools from Round 2 present their idea and execution plan at a final held in each region — Bengaluru, Hubballi and Mysuru.
The top 6 schools make a detailed pitch at the State Finale before a jury of experienced people from the business and developmental sector in Karnataka — and attend the Youth Leadership Summit '26.
Timelines
# The schedule is indicated by month only. Exact dates to be announced.
Prizes
Winners selected by the jury at the State Finale. In Season 1 the top 2 ideas won the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Program for Young Leaders by Harvard Student Agencies, with citations for the top 50 schools and certificates for every participant. Season 2 prize details to be announced.
Rules
Open only to schools and PU colleges in Karnataka. Choice of topic to be indicated at registration. Detailed rules to be updated.
Media
Execution Partner: Global Academy of Technology (GAT). Concept & Knowledge Partner: Greycaps, spearheaded by Giri “Pickbrain” Balasubramaniam. Sponsor associations to be announced.
Registration
Registrations are accepted school-wise — one team per school. No entry fee. Caps: 300 Bengaluru · 100 Hubballi · 100 Mysuru.
Our team will connect with you.
Note: submissions are delivered by email via Web3Forms — add your access key to activate the form.
Step 2 · Submit your entry
A write-up on the idea is to be sent along with the video. The submission link opens once registrations go live.
Partners & Sponsors
Execution Partner
Executes the season across Bengaluru, Hubballi and Mysuru, under the vision of the Government of Karnataka.
Concept & Knowledge Partner
Shapes the concept and knowledge framework, spearheaded by Giri “Pickbrain” Balasubramaniam.
Sponsors · to be announced
A unit of Variety Vintage Technologies Pvt Ltd
Reserved space for sponsor names and logos, to be added at a later stage without affecting the existing layout.
