In a major boost to India’s traditional textile sector, India’s largest handloom-focused hackathon kicked off at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, bringing together over 400 young innovators, technologists, and design thinkers from across the country. Organized to coincide with National Handloom Day (August 7), the hackathon aims to develop cutting-edge, scalable solutions for the challenges faced by the handloom industry — from raw material sourcing and production efficiency to branding, e-commerce, and sustainable practices.
Participants, including students, startups, and grassroots entrepreneurs, are competing in teams over 36 hours to create tech-enabled, user-centric solutions. Mentorship is being provided by industry experts, master weavers, and faculty from IIT Delhi, ensuring a blend of innovation and tradition.
“This hackathon is not just about technology; it’s about preserving India’s rich weaving heritage while enabling it to thrive in a digital economy,” said one of the lead organizers. “By bringing the brightest young minds together, we hope to spark transformative ideas that uplift artisans and handloom clusters.”
Supported by key stakeholders from the Ministry of Textiles, NGOs, and private industry partners, the event is expected to lead to the incubation of several promising prototypes — with select winners receiving funding, mentorship, and the chance to pilot their solutions in real-world weaving communities.
As India celebrates its centuries-old handloom tradition this week, the hackathon serves as a reminder that the future of heritage lies in the hands of the next generation — one code, one loom, and one idea at a time.