Inter-University Hackathon
Organized by the IEEE Computer Society Student Chapter of the University of Kelaniya, LAUNCH'26 brings undergraduates together to build practical, technology-driven solutions for real industry challenges.
EVENT OVERVIEW
THE LAUNCH'26 INITIATIVE
LAUNCH'26 DIRECTIVE
LAUNCH'26 is a national-level inter-university hackathon organized by the IEEE Computer Society Chapter of the University of Kelaniya. The event is designed to foster innovation, creativity, and problem-solving among undergraduates by challenging them to develop technology-driven solutions for real-world problems.
The hackathon brings together talented students from across Sri Lanka to collaborate, innovate, and compete in a structured, multi-stage competition. We seek to challenge participants to apply theoretical computing knowledge into practical, high-impact products.
By bridging academia with the corporate tech ecosystem, the LAUNCH Initiative empowers the next generation of technology leaders. Participants will work through industry sessions to design and deliver portfolio-ready solutions that address actual sector needs.
KEY EVENT FEATURES
REAL-WORLD CHALLENGES
Solve actual problem statements provided directly by industry leaders. Validate your prototype against real-world performance requirements.
INDUSTRY SESSIONS
Attend interactive technical and business sessions led by seasoned software engineers, developers, and product managers to refine your solution.
CAREER & SCOUTING
Get noticed by top-tier tech companies seeking high-potential student talent, and unlock paths for startup incubation and project continuation.
EVENT STRUCTURE
COMPETITION STAGES
STAGE 01: SINGLE BUILD CHALLENGE
Teams solve a single challenge where they need to build a solution in a rapid 12–24 hour sprint. Build a functional prototype (web or mobile) and submit it for technical screening and evaluation.
- Solve a Single Build Challenge
- Build Functional MVP Prototype
- Technical Screening & Shortlisting
STAGE 02: PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Shortlisted finalist teams improve and scale the solution built in Stage 1. Participate in industry sessions with tech and business experts.
- Develop Full-Scale Product
- Attend Industry Sessions
- Prepare Pitch & Documentation
GRAND FINAL
The grand culmination. Finalist teams present live demonstrations of their fully polished and functional applications. Pitch your business model and product scaling to the judging panel in a live Q&A.
- Live Product Demonstrations
- Pitch Presentation & Jury Q&A
- Awards Ceremony & Cash Prizes
ROADMAP TIMELINE
KICKOFF & REGISTRATION
Team Matchmaking & Idea SubmissionRegister your team on the official hacker portal, finalize your team composition of 3–6 members from the same university and batch, and submit your initial concept for review.
SINGLE BUILD CHALLENGE
PROTOTYPE FREEZE
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
GRAND FINAL DEMOS
LAUNCH'26 CHRONICLES
The journey of innovation, building, and victory captured in a 3-part comic strip.
Navigate the pages of the story below.
COMMUNICATIONS CENTER
GET IN TOUCH
Hiumie
Launch 26 Sponsorship and Finance Team Lead
OPERATIONAL AFFILIATION
Organized by the IEEE Computer Society Chapter - University of Kelaniya
HACKATHON FAQ INDEX
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
LAUNCH26 is a national-level inter-university hackathon organized by the IEEE Computer Society Chapter of the University of Kelaniya. The event challenges undergraduates to develop innovative, technology-driven solutions for real-world problems.
All currently enrolled undergraduate students from any recognized university or higher education institution in Sri Lanka are eligible to participate. Team members must belong to the same academic batch.
Each team must consist of strictly 3 to 6 members. All team members must represent the same university and belong to the same academic year/batch. A student can only be a member of one team.
LAUNCH26 is a hybrid multi-stage competition. Stage 1 is an online sprint (12-24 hours) where teams solve a single build challenge. Stage 2 is a 1-week product development phase with industry sessions where teams improve and scale the solution built in Stage 1. The competition culminates in the live physical Grand Final.
The hackathon features a total cash prize pool of LKR 110,000. Beyond cash prizes, all participants receive official certificates, networking opportunities with top companies, and potential startup incubation pathways.