Table of Contents
BioQuest Hackathon 2025 | GBU BioQuest Hackathon 2025 | BioQuest Hackathon Registrations
About the Event
BioQuest Hackathon is a 40-hour intensive biotechnology and biomedical innovation challenge designed to bring together brilliant minds to develop cutting-edge solutions at the intersection of biology and machine learning. This unique decathlon-style event challenges participants to create impactful biotech solutions while engaging with industry experts and investors. The hackathon is a collaborative initiative organised by Snehshilp Foundation, Gujarat Biotechnology University, and Satani Research Centre, taking place at the Gujarat Biotechnology University campus.
CALLING ALL INNOVATORS IN BIOTECH & MACHINE LEARNING!
We are excited to announce the BioQuest Hackathon 2025, a 40-hour Biotechnology innovation challenge jointly organised by Snehshilp Foundation, Gujarat Biotechnology University and Satani Research Centre.
This unique event brings together bright minds from Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Marine Sciences, Healthcare, and AI/ML to build groundbreaking solutions with real-world impact.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
- UG students
- PG students
- PhD scholars
- Researchers & Academicians
- Biotech/healthcare professionals
- ML/AI developers & innovators
TEAM SIZE
UP TO 3 CO-LEADS
Challenge Themes
- Biotechnology
- Environmental
- Bio-AI
- Industrial Biotechnology
- Medical
- Biomedical
- Agriculture/Plant
- Marine Biotechnology
- Bioinformatics
- Biochemistry
- Other allied domains
Note: Participants must come with their own original innovative ideas (Problem Statements).
Why Participate
- 40 hours of intensive Biotechnology innovation.
- Certificates for all participants
- Lab access, mentorship & expert roundtables
- Build impactful portfolio
- Direct investor pitch opportunity for winners
KEY DATES & REGISTRATION
- APPLICATIONS OPEN: 29TH NOVEMBER 2025
- SCREENING RESULTS: 03rd DECEMBER 2025
- HACKATHON DATES: 5TH-7TH DECEMBER 2025
BioQuest Hackathon 2025
Official Event Docket & White Paper
Event Timeline and Structure
The BioQuest Hackathon follows a carefully structured timeline beginning with registration and screening from November 29 to December 3, 2025. The main hackathon event commences on December 5, 2025, at 3:00 PM with an opening ceremony that includes team check-in and challenge briefing. The intensive development phase continues through December 6, featuring active project development interspersed with expert roundtable discussions. The hackathon concludes on December 7, 2025, at 11:00 AM with final submissions, judging, and results announcement. The winning teams will then advance directly to an exclusive Pitch Round scheduled for December 13-14, 2025, where they will present their innovations to investors and industry leaders.
Participant Eligibility and Team Composition
The hackathon welcomes a diverse range of participants, including undergraduate, graduate, and PhD students, professionals from biotech, healthcare, and machine learning industries, as well as researchers and academicians. Each BioHackathon project is proposed and led by a team of up to three co-leads, with in-person attendance strongly encouraged for collaborative work. The BioQuest Hackathon fosters innovation, practical development, and teamwork, bringing together cross-disciplinary expertise to tackle complex challenges in biotechnology. The organising committee expects to select between 20 to 30 teams for participation in the main event.
REGISTER FOR BIOQUEST HACKATHON HERE!
Challenge Themes and Focus Areas
Participants have the opportunity to work on innovations across a wide range of biotechnology and life-science sectors. These include Biotechnology, Environmental, Bio-AI, Industrial Biotechnology, Medical, Biomedical, Agriculture/Plant, Marine Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Biochemistry, and other allied domains. Teams are encouraged to explore problems, design solutions, and innovate within any of these areas based on their expertise and interest. This open-domain approach allows participants to bring creative, cross-disciplinary perspectives to real-world challenges in modern biotechnology. All specific sub-themes and challenge directions will be introduced during the opening ceremony.
Note: Participants must come with their own original innovative ideas (Problem Statements).
Deliverables and Resources
Throughout the 40-hour hackathon, teams are expected to create tangible deliverables that demonstrate their innovation and technical capability. Participants should develop a working prototype, if feasible, within the given timeframe, along with a proof-of-concept demonstration that showcases the core functionality of their solution. Teams must also prepare a comprehensive presentation that highlights their innovation, methodology, and potential impact, accompanied by technical documentation of their solution. To support these deliverables, the organising committee provides participants with access to basic facilities at Gujarat Biotechnology University, laboratory access subject to safety protocols and availability, necessary software and computational resources, mentorship from industry experts and faculty members, internet connectivity, and dedicated workspaces. This comprehensive support system ensures that teams have all the necessary resources to bring their innovative ideas to life.
Evaluation Criteria and Judging Process
All submissions will be evaluated through a rigorous assessment framework based on four equally weighted core parameters, each contributing 25% to the final score. The first criterion, Innovation, evaluates the originality and creativity of the biotechnology and ML solution, focusing on novel algorithms, unique applications of machine learning to biological data, and inventive approaches that push beyond standard methodologies. The second criterion, Scientific Rigor and Methodology, assesses the scientific and technical foundation of the project by examining well-defined methods, logical approaches, data-driven decisions, and the overall reliability and replicability of the solution in biological and machine learning contexts. The third criterion, Execution, examines the project’s implementation quality with emphasis on how effectively the solution integrates biology and ML, technical precision, functional robustness, and user accessibility. The fourth criterion, Potential Impact, considers the relevance and potential real-world impact of the solution within bioinformatics, healthcare, or biotechnology, with particular focus on meaningful applications that could address current challenges, meet unmet needs, or open new avenues in the field.
Day-by-Day Event Schedule
The hackathon begins on December 5, 2025, at 3:00 PM with an opening ceremony that runs until 5:00 PM. During this time, participants will receive a welcome address, a detailed explanation of event rules and regulations, a comprehensive challenge briefing with a Q&A session, and workspace allocation. Following the opening ceremony, the hackathon officially begins at 5:00 PM, allowing teams to start working on their projects with mentorship support available. The evening features the first expert roundtable discussion, which takes the form of an interactive session with an industry expert rather than a traditional lecture format, encouraging open dialogue and knowledge exchange.
Day 2, December 6, 2025, is dedicated entirely to active development. Throughout this full day, teams continue building their solutions with access to laboratories and resources while mentors remain available for guidance. A distinctive feature of BioQuest Hackathon is the scheduled expert roundtable discussions that occur approximately every 10 to 15 hours. These sessions feature doctors, biotech professionals, legal experts, and industry leaders who engage with participants in interactive discussions about real-world applications, challenges, and opportunities in the field, providing valuable insights that can shape and refine the teams’ projects.
On the final day, December 7, 2025, the morning hours until 9:00 AM are reserved for teams to complete their final sprint, making last-minute refinements and preparing their presentations. Project submissions and demonstration setup occur between 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM, during which teams submit their technical documentation and set up for final presentations. The judging process and results announcement take place from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM, culminating in the final evaluation, winner announcement, and closing ceremony.
REGISTER NOW FOR BIOQUEST HACKATHON!
Pitch Round Opportunity
One of the most exciting aspects of BioQuest Hackathon is the direct pathway it provides to investor engagement. Winner teams automatically advance from the hackathon to an exclusive Investor Pitch Round scheduled for December 13-14, 2025. This two-day event offers winning teams the opportunity to present their innovations through formal pitch presentations to investors and industry leaders. The pitch round represents a unique chance for teams to secure funding, gain incubation support, and establish industry partnerships that can help transform their hackathon projects into viable commercial ventures or research initiatives. Detailed information about the pitch round format, timing, and participating investors will be shared directly with qualifying teams following the hackathon results announcement.
Prize Pool for the Best Innovators:
- 1st Prize: ₹50,000
- 2nd Prize: ₹30,000
- 3rd Prize: ₹10,000
Rules, Regulations, and Code of Conduct
To ensure a fair, safe, and productive environment for all participants, the hackathon operates under a comprehensive set of rules and regulations. All team members must register individually and form teams according to the specified guidelines. Teams must work on original ideas, as plagiarism in any form will result in immediate disqualification. Participants are required to be present at the venue for the entire duration of the hackathon. While the use of existing open-source tools and libraries is permitted, all such resources must be properly declared in the project documentation. All intellectual property created during the hackathon remains with the team, subject to the event participation agreement.
Participants are expected to maintain professional and respectful behaviour throughout the event. Safety protocols in laboratory areas must be strictly followed at all times. Respect for venue facilities and equipment is mandatory, and any damage or misuse will be taken seriously. The organising committee maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward harassment or discrimination of any form. All participants must understand and accept that judges’ decisions are final and binding. Regarding laboratory access specifically, all lab usage is subject to prior booking and safety clearance. Mandatory safety training must be completed before any team member can enter laboratory facilities. Adherence to biosafety protocols is non-negotiable, and supervision is required for the use of certain equipment.
Data Privacy and Intellectual Property Rights
The organising committee takes data privacy and intellectual property rights seriously. All participant data collected during registration and the event will be kept strictly confidential and used only for event management purposes. Teams retain full ownership of their intellectual property and innovations created during the hackathon. However, by participating in the event, teams agree to allow the organisers to showcase their projects for promotional purposes, including but not limited to social media, websites, and marketing materials. Any additional non-disclosure agreement provisions, if applicable, will be clearly communicated and clarified before the commencement of the event.
Why Participate in BioQuest Hackathon
BioQuest Hackathon offers a unique opportunity to work on real-world problems that have a meaningful impact in healthcare and biotechnology. Participants gain invaluable insights through expert guidance from industry veterans who engage in interactive roundtables rather than one-way lectures. The winning teams receive direct access to investors, providing a clear pathway from innovation to implementation. The event serves as an exceptional networking platform where participants can connect with peers, mentors, and industry leaders who share their passion for biotechnology innovation. With 40 hours of focused creation supported by comprehensive resources and mentorship, participants work in an environment designed to foster breakthrough innovations. The hackathon also serves as a career advancement platform where participants can showcase their skills to potential employers, collaborators, and the broader biotech community.
BioQuest Hackathon Registrations
Important Practical Information
Selected teams will receive detailed joining instructions via email, including specific venue locations, reporting times, and any preparatory materials needed. Information regarding accommodation arrangements, if provided by the organising committee, will be communicated separately to participants. Teams are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to reach the Gujarat Biotechnology University campus. Food and refreshments will be provided throughout the event to ensure participants can focus entirely on their projects. Emergency contact numbers and safety protocols will be shared with all participants before the event begins. Participants should note that this document is subject to updates and modifications, and any changes will be promptly communicated to all registered teams.
Key Highlights Summary
BioQuest Hackathon 2025 offers 40 hours of intensive innovation in biotechnology and machine learning. The event features expert roundtables approximately every 10 to 15 hours, providing continuous learning opportunities alongside project development. Participants gain access to laboratory facilities and computational resources necessary for their innovations. Winner teams receive a direct opportunity to pitch to investors, potentially securing funding and support for their projects. The hackathon creates a vibrant cross-disciplinary collaboration environment where diverse expertise converges to solve complex challenges. Industry networking and mentorship throughout the event help participants build lasting professional connections in the biotech and ML communities.
Let’s revolutionise biotechnology together at BioQuest Hackathon 2025!
For Any Queries, Contact Us: +91 7228-975105 | [email protected]
DON’T MISS OUT!
REGISTER NOW!
