Everything you missed at India's Largest Women-Only Hackathon
From ground-breaking innovations to inspiring stories, catch up on everything that made Chhalaang 3.0 unforgettable!
Did You Miss Us?
We know it's been a while since our last newsletter, but we've been busy making Chhalaang 3.0 a reality! Now, after a lot of brainstorming and excitement, we're back—refreshed, refined, and ready to bring you all the latest insights from the world of tech and talent.
On Sunday, September 21st, 2024, Gurgaon hosted the third chapter of India’s largest women-only hackathon – Chhalaang 3.0 – held at the offices of Deutsche Telekom Digital Labs, our Brand & Event Sponsor. With 100+ women in tech gathered under one roof, this event was a bold step forward in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the tech landscape of India.
Why Chhalaang?
Women only make up 37% of India’s workforce—and an even smaller percentage in tech—initiatives like Chhalaang 3.0 aim to shift that balance. Chhalaang 3.0, in collaboration with our Brand & Venue Sponsor Deutsche Telekom Digital Labs and Co-brand Sponsor HighLevel, is a concrete step towards fixing this gap. Hosted by MetaMorph, a 360-degree HR advisory firm, this hackathon provided a platform for some of the country’s brightest women developers, designers, and problem solvers to showcase their skills and push the boundaries of innovation.
Our Gurgaon edition was an electrifying continuation of the Chhalaang series, following the success of our previous sessions in Mumbai and Bengaluru. From inspiring problem statements and a prize pool of ₹7 Lakhs, to 5 leading tech companies passionate about DEI.
Sanam Rawal, Founding Partner at MetaMorph, put it best when she said:
"With Chhalaang 3.0, we're setting a new benchmark for women's representation in tech. This initiative is about more than closing the gender gap—it's about rewriting the narrative entirely. Hosting this in Gurgaon, a city that pulses with innovation and drive, allows us to amplify the voices of women ready to lead the future of technology."
Swati Gupta, Core Team - Acquisition & DEI at MetaMorph, added:
"Chhalaang 3.0 embodies the power of diversity as a catalyst for change. This isn't just an event; it's a movement that challenges the status quo and celebrates the potential of women in tech. By choosing Gurgaon as our venue, we're aligning our mission with a city that's as dynamic and multifaceted as the women we aim to empower."
Chhalaang 3.0 kicked off with an online preliminary round hosted on HackerEarth, one of the leading platforms for coding challenges.
Following this rigorous selection process, the top participants were invited to the grand finale, hosted at the Deutsche Telekom Digital Labs (DTDL) office in Gurgaon. The onsite round brought together 100+ women in tech, who competed in a high-energy environment of collaboration, innovation, and mentorship.
A Spotlight on our Participating Companies
Chhalaang 3.0 was powered by the vision of five tech innovators who are committed to fostering a more diverse and inclusive tech workforce:
Deutsche Telekom Digital Labs (Brand & Venue Sponsor): As the innovation hub of Deutsche Telekom, DT Digital Labs helps transform ideas into cutting-edge digital products.
HighLevel (Co-brand Sponsor): HighLevel provides a comprehensive platform for agencies, offering CRM, automation tools, and various digital marketing solutions.
Licious: A leading name in India’s fresh meat and seafood industry, Licious is known for revolutionising how people consume and experience meat.
Alt Mobility: Alt Mobility is transforming India’s electric vehicle landscape by offering leasing and financing solutions to accelerate the adoption of EVs.
DMI Finance: A leading digital lender, DMI Finance provides innovative credit solutions across sectors including retail, small businesses, and consumers.
Making Waves in the Tech Community
The impact of Chhalaang 3.0 has been felt across social media, with participants sharing their thoughts, experiences, and learnings from the event. Here's a snapshot of how Chhalaang 3.0 lit up the tech community:
Empowering Women with Goodies and Partnerships
Chhalaang 3.0 wouldn’t have been complete without our incredible Goodies Sponsors, who added excitement and care to the event.
Plix: Fueling healthy habits with plant-based superfoods, Plix kept our hackers sharp with delicious gummies and effervescent fizzies—a perfect energy boost for those long hours of innovation.
Purplle: India's leading beauty destination, Purplle, provided our participants with a curated collection of beauty essentials, helping them feel confident and empowered throughout the event.
Luzo: Chhalaang may be fast-paced, but self-care is just as important! Luzo’s premium salon and spa offerings made it easier for participants to unwind after a hard day of problem-solving, offering a seamless experience of relaxation through their app.
Nua: Dedicated to menstrual wellness, Nua supported participants by offering innovative and inclusive products designed specifically for women.
Neemans: India’s pioneer in sustainable footwear, Neeman’s contributed eco-friendly and stylish footwear made from natural fibres like merino wool, allowing participants to experience comfort without compromising the planet.
The Good Glamm Group: Combining innovation and sustainability, The Good Glamm Group provided premium beauty products that empowered our participants to look and feel their best while promoting sustainable consumption.
Turtlemint: As an insuretech platform, Turtlemint empowered our hackathon with the same energy they use to revolutionise the insurance industry, fueling participants with enthusiasm and drive.
Prize Sponsors: Women in Tech x Annalect
We were honoured to have Women in Tech and Annalect join forces as Sponsors of the special Woman In Tech prize, both sharing a mission to empower women in technology.
Women in Tech - India Chapter: Part of the global Women in Tech® movement, the India chapter is dedicated to closing the gender gap in technology. With a focus on careers in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), they empower women through education, mentorship, and networking opportunities, paving the way for a more inclusive tech landscape.
Annalect: A leading data-driven marketing solutions provider, Annalect leverages the power of data, technology, and analytics to transform businesses. Through their comprehensive DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) initiatives, Annalect champions a culture of accessibility and support, ensuring every voice is heard and valued.
Meet the Jury: Driving Innovation and Excellence at Chhalaang 3.0
We are proud to have some of the most accomplished and visionary leaders in the tech industry as part of our Chhalaang 3.0 jury. These esteemed individuals bring a wealth of experience and expertise, ensuring that the innovation and hard work of our participants are recognised and rewarded.
Deep Ganatra - Group Chief Product & Technology Officer, The Good Glamm Group
With over two decades of experience, Deep has been instrumental in building scalable tech architectures. As CPTO at The Good Glamm Group, he drives innovation and operational excellence. From CTO roles to founding Web1 Solutions, Deep's career exemplifies visionary leadership.Manish Chawla - Tech Executive & Advisor
Manish advises startups on AI and scalability, drawing from his extensive background as VP of Engineering at Hyperpure by Zomato and CTO at Classplus. His experience with companies like Zomato, Dream11, Jio, and Paytm showcases his prowess in fintech, e-commerce, and ed-tech.Jyoti Gupta - VP of Engineering & India Site Lead, Mindbody
From founding RankMeOnline to transforming platforms at Zupee, Jyoti's leadership has been game-changing. Her experience spans Amazon, Curefit, and more, pushing the limits of tech excellence and strategic innovation.Ujjyaini Mitra - Founder & CEO, Deltacube.ai & SETU School
With 18 years of leadership in Data Science, AI, and Digital Transformation, Ujjyaini has been named among the top 30 outstanding women in Data in 2024. Her mission with SETU School bridges academic knowledge and industry demands. Previously, as Chief Data Officer at ZEE, she led the charge in data-driven culture.Kalpesh Vaghani - Senior Vice President of Technology, IntrCity & RailYatri
Kalpesh has over 12 years of experience driving technological innovation. As SVP of Technology at IntrCity & RailYatri, he's known for his expertise in scaling sophisticated web and mobile applications. His leadership and deep technical knowledge make him a key figure in the tech community.
The Phenomenal Winners of Chhalaang 3.0!
Over the course of this hackathon, we witnessed remarkable talent and determination as teams came together to tackle real-world challenges and create impactful solutions.
We are excited to celebrate our phenomenal winners who broke barriers, coded their hearts out, and delivered solutions that left us in awe!
1st Prize Winners - Team Birdiepod
Comprising Vishakha Kulkarni, Aayushi Salunkhe, Yashvi Dhar, Madhura Mhatre, and Aarya Lotke, this talented team took on a problem statement from Licious and emerged victorious.
1st Runner-Up - Team Valkyries
Prachi Sukhija and Nidhi Gond made waves with their exceptional solution to a challenge presented by High Level. Their ingenuity and resilience earned them the well-deserved title of first runner-up, with their prize sponsored by HighLevel
2nd Runner-Up - Team CodeAscend
Akansha Singh, Prachi Pandey, and Harshpreet Kaur showcased their brilliance while addressing a problem statement by AltMobility. Their hard work and commitment to excellence were recognised as they took home the second runner-up prize, sponsored by Women in Tech® India and Annalect India.
As Chhalaang 3.0 draws to a close, we can’t help but feel inspired by the incredible talent, creativity, and resilience we’ve witnessed throughout the journey.
We’d like to thank all our sponsors, partners, and participants who helped make this event a massive success. Whether you’ve been with us from the start or you’re just joining, your support fuels our mission to create inclusive spaces for growth and innovation.
Don’t leave us yet!
Looking for more ways to build a thriving startup team? Explore our range of HR services tailored to the unique needs of Indian startups, including talent acquisition, DEI hiring, and employer branding. MetaMorph can help you attract, retain, and empower your most valuable asset – your people.