Velloe Concludes Escape Velocity 1.0 AI Hackathon to Bridge Campus-Industry Gap
Velloe's Escape Velocity 1.0 AI Hackathon concludes in Noida, bridging the gap between engineering students and the AI industry with internships.
In a significant move to prepare the next generation of engineers for an AI-driven world, Velloe, an EVOCS company, has successfully wrapped up its inaugural Escape Velocity 1.0 – AI Hackathon. Held in Noida, the campus technology challenge aimed to transform how final-year engineering students transition from academic learning to professional industry roles by tackling real-world problems using Artificial Intelligence and modern tech stacks.
Organized in partnership with Hackbriven, the event saw a massive surge of interest, drawing approximately 450 registrations from various engineering colleges across the Noida region. The competition was specifically designed to test the evolving expectations of modern employers, focusing on a student's ability to define problems, apply AI strategically, ensure scalability, and practice responsible technology use.
A Rigorous Path to the Finals
The hackathon was not merely a coding contest but a multi-stage evaluation process that tested both technical prowess and logical reasoning. The competition structure included:
- Initial Screening: Narrowing down 450 registrants to a shortlist of 100 students.
- Round 2: A more intensive phase where 30 students advanced to compete further.
- The Grand Finale: The top 10 finalists presented their innovative solutions directly to Velloe’s senior leadership jury.
Many of the presented projects utilized Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to automate complex workflows, extract meaningful insights from data, and enhance decision-making processes.
The Jury and Evaluation Criteria
The finalists faced a high-level panel consisting of Arvind Sharma (CEO), Sumit Kumar (CTIO), and Abhinav Vashishtha (Senior Director) at Velloe. The projects were judged on several critical dimensions, including:
- Technical approach and problem definition.
- Effective and responsible application of AI.
- Feasibility and scalability of the solution.
- Business relevance and presentation skills.
"What we wanted to understand through Escape Velocity was not simply who could build the most impressive solution," stated Arvind Sharma, CEO of Velloe. "We wanted to see how students approached an unfamiliar problem, the questions they asked, and how they turned an idea into something practical. In a world increasingly shaped by Artificial Intelligence, that judgement matters as much as the technology itself."
Winners and Career Opportunities
After intense deliberation, the top performers were recognized for their exceptional problem-solving capabilities:
- Winner: Amit Kumar Gupta
- First Runner-Up: Mahi Singhal
- Second Runner-Up: Devansh Mallik
The winners each received cash prizes of ₹11,000. However, the most significant reward for the top talent was the bridge to professional employment. In a move to foster long-term growth, all 10 finalists were offered internships with Velloe. This initiative allows these bright minds to work on live AI and cloud-based projects alongside seasoned industry experts.
Sumit Kumar, CTIO of Velloe, noted that the standout quality of the participants was their ability to move beyond AI as a mere "buzzword." He highlighted that the strongest students focused on architecture, usability, and scalability—skills essential for any modern engineer.
"Escape Velocity showed us how much potential is already in our campuses when students are given real problems and real accountability," added Abhinav Vashishtha, Senior Director at Velloe. The company intends to continue this platform, strengthening the vital link between academic institutions and the rapidly evolving digital engineering industry.