NIFTEM-Kundli hosts India's first AI and food technology hackathon

26 October 2026

The National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Kundli, hosted Hack the Fork, described as India's first AI and Food Tech Hackathon. The 24-hour hackathon was inaugurated on October 24 and concluded on October 25, with participating teams presenting their solutions before an expert jury. It was organised by Hack the Fork, a France-based non-profit initiative, in collaboration with NIFTEM-K. From an initial pool of over 85 applicant teams, 25 teams were shortlisted, and 22 teams from 10 states, comprising over 90 participants, took part. The participants represented institutions including IITs, IIITs and the University of Delhi. The challenge focused on harnessing Artificial Intelligence to advance the alternative protein industry, covering plant-based food innovation, fermentation technologies, nutritional optimisation, food safety and food waste reduction. The winning teams competed for prizes worth Rs 1.5 lakh, along with opportunities to enter the institute's Startup Incubation Programme. Dr Harinder Singh Oberoi is the Director of NIFTEM-K.