Community event · Chennai

Rockathon'26: Chennai's First Applied AI Hackathon

22 August 2026Chennai

Builders came together in Chennai to turn AI ideas into working projects, organised by RocketOne and powered by SquareShift.

Explore the photo story
Winners receiving the Rockathon'26 trophy on stageWinners receiving the Rockathon'26 trophy on stage

The event

An applied AI hackathon for Chennai's builders

Rockathon'26, billed as Chennai's first applied AI hackathon, took place on 22 August 2026 and brought builders together to turn AI ideas into working projects.

The event was organised by RocketOne. RocketOne is a new learning initiative of SquareShift, powered by SquareShift.

Rockathon'26 in pictures

The people and moments behind the builds

More than 350 students from premier institutes, representing 15+ colleges, joined the event. The photo chapters below group the setting, work, presentations and recognition by subject.

350+students
15+colleges

The room

A venue and an audience ready to build. The photographs show the welcome signs, the event backdrop, and students gathered for the opening session.

Welcome to Rockathon'26 signboard at the venueWelcome to Rockathon'26 signboard at the venueThe Rockathon'26 backdrop showing the date and sponsorsThe Rockathon'26 backdrop showing the date and sponsorsWelcome to Rockathon'26 signboardWelcome to Rockathon'26 signboardAudience listening during the opening sessionAudience listening during the opening session

Building

Teams worked on their builds through the day. A mentor reviewed work at a laptop while participants tackled problems together.

Teams building during the eventTeams building during the eventParticipants working through a problem togetherParticipants working through a problem togetherA mentor reviewing work at a laptopA mentor reviewing work at a laptop

Presentations

Teams presented their projects. These images show the host, speakers, and a participant demo on screen.

Host on stage in front of the Rockathon'26 backdropHost on stage in front of the Rockathon'26 backdropA speaker addressing the audienceA speaker addressing the audienceA participant speaking at the eventA participant speaking at the eventA participant presenting a demo on screenA participant presenting a demo on screen

Recognition and people

Winners received rocket-shaped trophies and certificates on stage. The closing photographs include award presentations and the people behind the event.

Winners receiving the Rockathon'26 trophy on stageWinners receiving the Rockathon'26 trophy on stageRocket-shaped trophies on displayRocket-shaped trophies on displayCertificate presentation on stageCertificate presentation on stageAward presentation in front of the Rockathon'26 backdropAward presentation in front of the Rockathon'26 backdropCertificate of Appreciation presented on stage at Rockathon'26Certificate of Appreciation presented on stage at Rockathon'26A memento presented to a guest on stage at Rockathon'26A memento presented to a guest on stage at Rockathon'261st Runner Up award of Rs 25,000 presented at Rockathon'261st Runner Up award of Rs 25,000 presented at Rockathon'26Guests and SquareShift team members posing together at Rockathon'26Guests and SquareShift team members posing together at Rockathon'26Participants posing in front of the Rockathon'26 backdropParticipants posing in front of the Rockathon'26 backdrop

Thank you

To the people who made it possible

A big thank you to our Platinum Sponsors, Scybers and CodestaxAI, who are also hiring partners, and to every student, mentor and college that joined us. SquareShift and RocketOne are grateful for your support in empowering the next wave of AI innovators.

Rockathon'26 poster thanking Platinum Sponsors Scybers and CodestaxAIRockathon'26 poster thanking Platinum Sponsors Scybers and CodestaxAI