Tamil Nadu Centre of Excellence for Advanced Manufacturing (TANCAM) collaborated with the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Kumaraguru College of Technology to organize TNWISE 2025, a hackathon aimed at providing a platform for aspiring women innovators from higher educational institutions across Tamil Nadu to showcase their innovative ideas.

Now in its third edition, the hackathon has already been conducted at three venues this year and will be held at two more locations after its conclusion at Kumaraguru College of Technology. The grand finale is scheduled to take place in Chennai later in April 2025. The event is supported by the 3DEXPERIENCE Lab of Dassault Systèmes, France, Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO), and Kumaraguru College of Technology.

Praveen Bhagoji, Senior Project Manager at La Foundation Dassault Systèmes, was the Chief Guest at the inauguration. Special guests included S.M. Vijayadeepan, CEO of TANCAM; Hiran Vedam, Co-founder of Ashwatta; and Thendral Rajendran, VP of Corporate & Industry Relations at TANCAM.

The hackathon at KCT featured 11 problem statements, all centered around the theme of Transportation & Mobility. A total of 1,200 students from over 100 colleges across Tamil Nadu participated, forming 350 teams to compete. The winners will be announced later this evening, with a total cash prize of Rs. 3.2 lakh. The first prize is Rs. 1 lakh, the second prize Rs. 50,000, and the third prize Rs. 30,000. In addition to this, 14 participants will receive a special prize of Rs. 10,000 each.

In a significant announcement, S.M. Vijayadeepan stated that the jury would evaluate participants’ performances throughout the day and select 15 outstanding individuals for internship opportunities—10 with TANCAM and 5 with Dassault Systèmes in Pune.

Speaking at the event, Chief Guest Praveen Bhagoji emphasized the importance of hackathons in India's journey toward becoming a developed nation by 2047, a goal strongly advocated by the Indian government.

He praised TANCAM’s structured approach to the program and highlighted the necessity for aspiring innovators to ensure their ideas address pressing needs. He stressed that events like these provide validation from key industry and academic stakeholders, a crucial step in transforming an idea into an innovation. "Once you receive validation, take ownership of your idea, incorporate feedback, and ensure that your solution reaches the right beneficiaries. Have the drive to see it through," he urged.