Philly Tech Week Innovation Hackathon 2025

Our Philly Tech Week Innovation Hackathon 2025 was an incredible success! Over three days, developers, designers, and entrepreneurs came together to build innovative solutions and push the boundaries of technology.

Event Highlights

The hackathon brought together Philadelphia’s brightest tech minds to collaborate on cutting-edge projects. With tracks focused on AI, generative gaming systems, and startup-oriented solutions, participants had the opportunity to work on truly innovative ideas.

Hackathon Tracks

Generative Game System Track

Participants created next-generation gaming experiences using AI-powered mechanics:

• Dynamic Content Generation - Games that create levels, stories, and challenges in real-time
• AI-Powered NPCs - Non-player characters with realistic behaviors and dialogue
• Interactive Storytelling - Adaptive narratives that respond to player choices

BYO Idea/Other Track

This open track welcomed diverse projects including:

• Philly-Focused Applications - Tools and apps specifically designed for Philadelphia residents
• Data Analysis Tools - Solutions for processing and visualizing local data
• Automation Solutions - Scripts and systems to streamline repetitive tasks
• Academic Research Applications - Implementations of cutting-edge research

Best Startup Oriented Project

Projects with clear business potential and commercialization paths:

• Market Viability - Solutions addressing real market needs
• Scalable Business Models - Ideas with clear paths to revenue and growth
• Investment Readiness - Projects positioned for potential funding

Amazing Projects

The quality of submissions exceeded our expectations. Teams built everything from AI-powered city planning tools to revolutionary gaming engines. The creativity and technical skill on display truly represented the best of Philadelphia’s tech community.

Expert Judging Panel

Our distinguished panel of judges brought diverse expertise:

• Arjun Chakraborty - Principal Applied AI Engineer, Microsoft
• Jivitesh Poojary - Lead ML Engineer, Comcast
• Praneetha Kotla - Lead RPA Developer, ERP Smartlabs
• Tony Siu - Founding Computer Vision Engineer, TryVariant.ai
• Himanshu Hansaria - Machine Learning Engineer, Five Below
• Derek Meegan - Data and Analytics Senior Associate, Grant Thornton
• Ruchi Mangharamani - IT Business System Analyst Sr Advisor
• Zack Light - Software Development Engineer, High Frequency Trading
• Raphael Namberd - Blockchain Engineer, Blockspace
• Surya Rao Rayarao - Lead Software Engineer, SS&C Technologies

Prizes and Recognition

Winners received both recognition and valuable prizes:

• Generative Gaming Track: $1,000 cash prize
• BYO/Other Track: Dinner at Samba Steakhouse with organizers
• Best Startup Project: $600 value digital marketing consultation and SEO platform access

Community Impact

This hackathon demonstrated the power of Philadelphia’s tech community. Beyond the competition, participants:

• Formed New Partnerships - Many teams continued working together after the event
• Learned New Technologies - Exposure to AI tools and modern development practices
• Built Their Network - Connections made during the hackathon led to job opportunities and collaborations
• Contributed to Open Source - Several projects were open-sourced for community benefit

Key Takeaways

For Participants

• Rapid Prototyping Skills - Learning to build and iterate quickly under time constraints
• Team Collaboration - Working effectively with diverse skill sets and perspectives
• Pitch Development - Communicating technical concepts to both technical and business audiences
• Industry Exposure - Direct interaction with professionals from major tech companies

For the Community

• Talent Showcase - Highlighting the depth of technical talent in Philadelphia
• Innovation Catalyst - Spurring new ideas and approaches to local challenges
• Network Building - Strengthening connections within the tech ecosystem
• Skill Development - Providing hands-on learning opportunities

What’s Next

The success of this hackathon sets the stage for future events. We’re already planning:

• Quarterly Hackathons - Regular opportunities for innovation and collaboration
• Specialized Workshops - Deep-dive sessions on specific technologies
• Startup Accelerator - Support program for promising projects
• Corporate Partnerships - Expanded involvement from Philadelphia’s tech companies

Join Our Next Event

Interested in participating in future hackathons? Here’s how to stay involved:

1. Join Our Meetup Group - Get notifications about upcoming events
2. Follow Our Updates - Stay connected through our social media channels
3. Attend Weekly Meetups - Build skills and relationships between major events
4. Volunteer - Help organize and support community events

Sponsors and Partners

Special thanks to our partners who made this event possible:

• Comcast Lift Labs - Provided the venue and technical infrastructure
• Local Tech Companies - Sponsored prizes and provided expert judges
• Philly Tech Week - Integration with the city-wide technology celebration
• Community Volunteers - Organizers and mentors who made everything run smoothly

The Philly Tech Week Innovation Hackathon 2025 proved that Philadelphia’s tech community is ready to compete on the national stage. We can’t wait to see what next year brings!

Want to get involved? Join our next meetup and be part of Philadelphia’s growing tech community.