Kanpur/Mumbai, 7 October 2025: The Bank of Baroda Hackathon 2025, organised in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) under the guidance of the Department of Financial Services (DFS) and Indian Banks’ Association (IBA), concluded with great enthusiasm and innovation at IIT Kanpur. This landmark event brought together young innovators, technologists, and entrepreneurs from across the country to address the pressing theme of “Zero Trust Security in Digital Banking”.

Scale and Participation

The hackathon saw an overwhelming response with over 420+ participants, 200+ teams, and 50+ solution entries, reflecting the growing interest in securing India’s digital financial ecosystem. After a rigorous evaluation process, 10 finalist teams were shortlisted to present their groundbreaking solutions at the Grand Finale hosted at IIT Kanpur.

The top 10 finalist teams presented their innovations covering diverse solutions, including User and Entity Behaviour Analytics (UEBA) for insider threat detection, AI-driven fraud prevention platforms for secure transactions, Voice and identity protection solutions, Advanced real-time threat detection models, and Cybersecurity frameworks tailored for financial institutions.

Each presentation was followed by a jury Q&A session, testing the feasibility, scalability, and long-term impact of the ideas. The passion and energy displayed by the participants underscored India’s position as a global hub of fintech and cybersecurity innovation.

The finale was graced by an eminent panel of jury members, Mr. Saurabh Shukla, Chief Technology Officer, Bank of Baroda, Prof. Ankush Sharma, Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Kanpur, and former Professor-in-Charge, SIIC, IIT Kanpur, Mr. Piyush Mishra, Chief Operating Officer cum Chief Finance Officer, SIIC, IIT Kanpur and Mr. Arun Kumar, Deputy General Manager – IT, Bank of Baroda. Additionally, the event was honoured by the presence of Mr. S. K. Thapar, Senior Advisor – IBA (EASE Reforms) as a special guest.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Ankush Sharma praised the role of hackathons in nurturing deep-tech solutions: “Hackathons like this bridge the gap between academic innovation and industry application. The ideas presented here reflect India’s growing leadership in digital security, fintech innovation, and smart banking solutions. This initiative is a shining example of how collaboration can drive impactful, future-ready solutions.”

Speaking about the success of the event, Prof. Deepu Philip, Professor-in-Charge, SIIC, IIT Kanpur, said, “At SIIC IIT Kanpur, our mission has always been to transform bright ideas into scalable, market-ready solutions that strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem. The Hackathon 2025, in partnership with Bank of Baroda, exemplifies this commitment by uniting academia, industry, and startups to solve real-world challenges in digital banking and cybersecurity. The solutions showcased today reaffirm our belief that when young innovators are given the right platform and mentorship, India can lead the world in creating secure, inclusive, and intelligent financial technologies.”

Mr. Saurabh Shukla, Chief Technology Officer, Bank of Baroda, emphasised the Bank’s commitment to innovation: “At Bank of Baroda, we believe in embracing technology not only to improve customer experience but also to strengthen security at every level. Zero Trust is about verifying every interaction, every time, without adding friction for our customers. The solutions presented here show immense potential to shape the future of secure banking.”

Winner Announcements and Felicitation

After an engaging round of presentations, the jury had the challenging task of selecting the winners. The top three teams were felicitated for their ingenuity, technical excellence, and scalability potential. The results were as follows: 1st Prize – 200_OK, 2nd Prize – BobTheBuilder, 3rd Prize – PwnedCapybara and Consolation Award – TechSavy

The winners were celebrated in a grand felicitation ceremony for their creative and high-impact solutions that addressed key aspects of digital trust, cybersecurity, and AI-enabled fraud prevention. The top three teams were felicitated with prizes recognising their ingenuity, technical strength, and scalability potential. A consolation award was also presented during the event. The winners were celebrated in a grand felicitation ceremony.

Impact and Future Vision

The Bank of Baroda Hackathon 2025 reaffirmed the shared vision of IIT Kanpur, Bank of Baroda, DFS, and IBA to build a secure, inclusive, and innovative digital banking ecosystem. It highlighted the importance of fostering innovation at the grassroots level, providing young innovators with platforms to refine, showcase, and scale their ideas with mentorship from industry experts and academicians.

This initiative not only showcased the potential of Zero Trust Security frameworks in financial services but also reflected India’s growing stature in digital innovation, cybersecurity, and fintech leadership.

About Bank of Baroda

Founded on 20th July 1908 by Sir Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, Bank of Baroda is one of the leading commercial banks in India. At 63.97% stake, it is majorly owned by the Government of India. The Bank serves its global customer base of over ~180 million through around 65,000 touch points spread across 17 countries on five continents and through its various digital banking platforms, which provide all banking products and services in a seamless and hassle-free manner. The Bank’s vision matches the aspirations of its diverse clientele base and seeks to instill a sense of trust and security in all its dealings with the Bank.

About SIIC, IIT Kanpur

Established in 2000, the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) at IIT Kanpur is among India’s oldest and most distinguished technology business incubators. Currently nurturing over 100 startups, SIIC provides comprehensive support in domains including defense, aerospace, fintech, healthcare, and sustainability. SIIC operates under the Foundation for Research & Innovation in Science & Technology (FIRST), a Section-8 company promoted by IIT Kanpur.

About IIT Kanpur

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, established in 1959, holds the distinction of being recognized as an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India through an Act of Parliament. Renowned for its excellence in science and engineering education, IIT Kanpur has made significant contributions to research and development over the decades. Its expansive, lush green campus spans 1,050 acres and hosts a rich array of academic and research resources. The institute comprises 19 departments, 20 centers, three interdisciplinary programs, and three specialized schools across engineering, science, design, humanities, and management disciplines. With over 590 full-time faculty members and more than 9,500 students, IIT Kanpur remains a leader in fostering innovation and academic rigor.

For more information, visit www.iitk.ac.in.