New Delhi: The spirit of innovation was on display at DAV Public School, Vasant Vihar, as young students showcased a wide range of startup ideas and technology-based solutions at “Ideathon 2026.”
The event was organised by Codevidhya India Pvt. Ltd. in collaboration with South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) under the “My School My Startup” initiative.
The programme brought together the top 10 shortlisted student teams, who presented their startup concepts before a panel of judges and invited guests. Through robots, working models and prototypes, the students demonstrated how technology can be used to address real-life challenges through practical and innovative solutions.
Students Present Technology-Driven Startup Ideas
Several projects demonstrated an effective combination of hardware and software, highlighting the students’ understanding of emerging technologies and their ability to identify everyday problems.
The projects focused not only on technological concepts but also on their potential practical applications. The student ideas were evaluated on key parameters, including:
- Originality of the concept
- Technical understanding
- Practical usefulness of the proposed solution
- Potential applications of the idea
The projects showcased how classroom learning can be converted into working models and solutions aimed at addressing contemporary challenges.
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My School My Startup Initiative Promotes Innovation
The “My School My Startup” programme is being implemented by Codevidhya with the support of SECL across all nine DAV schools operated under SECL.
The initiative aims to give students practical and skill-oriented exposure to emerging areas such as:
- Digital marketing
- Data analytics
- Financial literacy
- Artificial intelligence
- Machine learning
- Robotics
- Entrepreneurship
The programme is designed to encourage students to develop entrepreneurial thinking, problem-solving abilities and technical skills from an early stage.
SECL HR Director Encourages Young Innovators
Biranchi Das, Director (Human Resources), SECL, attended the event as the chief guest.
Das appreciated the innovative ideas and prototypes presented by the students and encouraged them to continue exploring new possibilities and developing solutions to contemporary challenges. Speaking to the media, he highlighted the importance of providing young people with platforms where they can demonstrate their talent and creativity.
Das said children are the future of the country and stressed the need for sustained efforts at different levels to nurture innovation and emerging talent. He also observed that young innovators of today could play an important role in developing solutions to challenges affecting human life across diverse sectors in the future.
Smart Watch for Dogs Wins Ideathon 2026
The “Smart Watch for Dogs” project emerged as the winning idea at Ideathon 2026 and secured a ₹50,000 cash prize.
The concept explored the use of wearable technology to address practical requirements related to the care and monitoring of dogs.
The other top-performing projects included:
- Second Prize – ₹30,000: An e-learning platform featuring AI teachers.
- Third Prize – ₹20,000: “Nyay Mitra,” a one-stop platform designed to help people address common legal problems.
The projects reflected the students’ efforts to combine technology with practical applications and real-world needs.
Initiative Aims to Create Future Job Creators
The broader objective of the My School My Startup initiative is to encourage students to look beyond conventional ideas of education and employment and develop an entrepreneurial mindset.
Shivram, Founder of Codevidhya, said the programme aims to inspire students not merely to become job seekers but to develop the mindset and capabilities needed to become job creators.
DAV School Highlights Student Creativity and Technical Skills
K. Parthipan, Principal, DAV Public School, said the robots and prototypes presented during the event reflected the students’ creativity, technical understanding and willingness to experiment with new ideas.
The event provided students with an opportunity to present their concepts in front of judges and guests while gaining practical exposure to innovation and entrepreneurship. The programme concluded with Chaitanya, Project Manager, Codevidhya, expressing gratitude to the guests, teachers, parents and students for their participation and support.
Ideathon 2026 Highlights Role of Technology in Student Learning
Ideathon 2026 highlighted how structured exposure to technology and entrepreneurship can help young students transform classroom learning into practical solutions.
The initiative also gives students an early opportunity to think beyond examinations and explore innovation, entrepreneurship and social impact. By combining technical learning with problem-solving and entrepreneurial thinking, programmes such as My School My Startup can help students develop the skills needed to address emerging challenges.
About South Eastern Coalfields Limited
South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) is a major coal-producing company under Coal India Limited and operates coal mines primarily across Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. The company is engaged in coal exploration and production and also undertakes initiatives in education, community development, skill development and other areas as part of its social responsibility efforts.
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