Sonipat: Artificial intelligence is finding new applications in food innovation, with the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Kundli (NIFTEM-K), hosting Hack the Fork, an AI × Food Tech Hackathon focused on addressing real-world challenges in the alternative protein industry.
The 24-hour event was inaugurated by Alice Pjie, Director of Hack the Fork, on October 24 and concluded on October 25, 2026. Participants presented their solutions before an expert jury after an intensive innovation challenge aimed at exploring how artificial intelligence could contribute to more sustainable food systems.
Organised by the France-based non-profit initiative Hack the Fork in collaboration with NIFTEM-K, the event brought together students, researchers and technology enthusiasts from diverse academic backgrounds.
22 Teams From 10 States Take Part in the Hackathon
The hackathon attracted more than 85 applicant teams, of which 25 were shortlisted for the final round. Ultimately, 22 teams comprising more than 90 participants from 10 states took part in the event at NIFTEM-K.
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The participants represented a range of disciplines and institutions, including Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) and the University of Delhi.
The event provided an opportunity for participants to combine expertise in artificial intelligence, food technology and research to develop solutions for emerging challenges in the food sector.
AI Applications Focus on Alternative Proteins and Sustainable Food Systems
The challenge centred on using artificial intelligence to advance the alternative protein industry, including the development and production of food products that could diversify existing protein sources.
Participants explored potential applications across several areas, including:
- Plant-based food innovation: Exploring technology-driven approaches to developing alternative protein products.
- Fermentation technologies: Examining opportunities to support innovation in fermentation-based food production.
- Nutritional optimisation: Exploring ways to improve the nutritional characteristics of food products.
- Food safety: Developing approaches to address safety-related challenges in food production.
- Sustainable food production: Identifying opportunities to improve resource efficiency and sustainability.
- Food waste reduction: Exploring AI-enabled approaches to reducing waste across food systems.
The challenge encouraged participants to develop practical, technology-led ideas that could contribute to a more sustainable and resilient food ecosystem.
NIFTEM-K Emphasises Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation
Dr. Harinder Singh Oberoi, Director of NIFTEM-K, highlighted the role of the hackathon in generating new ideas and strengthening India’s food ecosystem.
He expressed confidence that the initiative would encourage creative thinking, interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of technology-driven solutions for emerging challenges in the food sector.
Congratulating the participating teams, Oberoi encouraged the young innovators to explore new possibilities and develop practical solutions that could contribute to a stronger and more sustainable food-processing ecosystem.
Expert Mentors Guide Participants in Developing Solutions
The hackathon was coordinated by Dr. Vimal Pant, Professor at NIFTEM-K and CEO of NTIBIF.
Participants received guidance from a panel of mentors with experience in science, technology, alternative proteins and academic research. The panel included:
- Chaitanya Chilukuri: Science and Technology Associate, Good Food Institute (GFI) India.
- Svarnim Samant: Regional Mentor, GFI India.
- Dr. Saurabh Jain: Associate Professor, IIIT Sonepat.
- Abhishek Shukla: Research Scholar, University of Delhi.
The mentors helped teams refine their ideas and work towards practical, technology-driven solutions for challenges in the alternative protein industry.
Winning Teams to Compete for ₹1.5 Lakh in Prizes
The participating teams competed for prizes worth ₹1.5 lakh, along with opportunities to enter NIFTEM-K’s Startup Incubation Programme.
The incubation opportunity is intended to provide a potential pathway for promising ideas to progress beyond the hackathon and towards further development.
Through its collaboration with Hack the Fork, NIFTEM-K sought to connect young innovators with emerging opportunities at the intersection of artificial intelligence, food technology and entrepreneurship.
The initiative also highlighted the potential of interdisciplinary collaboration to address challenges involving nutrition, food safety, production efficiency and sustainability.
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