The ministry of textiles, through the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM), is set to organise a hackathon titled 'Fostering Innovations in Technical Textiles—Hackathon for unleashing creativity in technical textiles.' This event, part of the Bharat Tex 2024 initiative, is scheduled to take place from February 26 to February 29, 2024.

The hackathon's primary goal is to establish a collaborative platform that brings together students, researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals. This initiative aims to enhance awareness, spur innovation, foster collaboration, and tackle real-world challenges in the field of technical textiles. The NTTM, an arm of the ministry of textiles, government of India, is the principal sponsor and partner for this event, the ministry said in a statement.

Currently, the textiles industry is experiencing a significant transformation, integrating cutting-edge materials and innovations into traditional textile practices. This evolution has led to the emergence of technical textiles, a dynamic and transformative sector. The NTTM, a flagship scheme of the government of India, is focussed on research, development, and innovation (RD&I) in this field, along with promoting education, skills, and market growth. The NTTM has already funded numerous projects ranging from ideation and prototype grants to applied national importance projects.

Participants in the hackathon will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge, establish valuable connections, receive recognition for their contributions, and engage in practical applications within the technical textiles domain. The event is designed to cultivate an environment conducive to learning and active problem-solving in the technical textiles industry.

The hackathon will be conducted in three phases: the Ideation Phase, the Development Phase, and the Presentation and Judging Phase. It will cover 10 thematic areas including smart textiles, sustainable textile, medical textile, protective textiles, composites, functional fabrics, development of specialty fibres and high-performance fibres, development of indigenous machinery/equipment/instruments, integration of technical textiles with applied sciences and engineering, among others.

The top three winners of the hackathon may be eligible for funding under the Grant for Research and Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical Textiles (GREAT) scheme. This funding, amounting up to ₹50 lakh, will be available for a maximum period of 18 months, subject to the fulfilment of other eligibility criteria of the GREAT scheme.