Walmart Global Tech India invites applications for the Sparkathon—Open Innovation Challenge 2024. You can win a cash prize, get an internship or FTE opportunity, and much more!
About Walmart
Walmart associates are leaders in retail tech. They power the world’s leading retailer, a global supply chain, and one of the most complex businesses on the planet.
About Sparkathon
Sparkathon is an open innovation challenge for Indian students to build cutting-edge tech solutions and create delightful shopping experiences. This year, you will have an exclusive opportunity to reimagine a new era of retail that is blurring the lines between the online and offline worlds more than ever. It’s time to code, collaborate and ideate! Put your best foot forward and showcase your innovative solutions.
Hackathon themes
Submit your transformative idea that aligns with one of the four themes:
Who should apply?
If you are an engineering student in India pursuing a degree in any of the following fields, Sparkathon is for you:
- Computer Science
- Data Science and AI
- Electrical Engineering
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Electronics and Communication Engineering
- Information Technology
- Mathematics
Year of graduation
- Full-time B.E./B.Tech programs – Graduating batch of 2025 and 2026 only (first and second-year students are not eligible to apply)
- Full-time dual degree programs – Graduating batch of 2025 and 2026 only (first, second and third-year students are not eligible to apply)
- Full-time M.E./M.Tech programs – Graduating batch of 2025 only (first-year students are not eligible to apply)
Guidelines
- Select a theme
- Choose the area where your idea creates the most significant impact.
- Describe the problem statement
- Clearly articulate the problem your submission is addressing and its significance in the retail industry.
- Explain the solution
- Describe your unique solution that effectively tackles the identified problem.
- Upload a demo video
- Demonstrate your solution through a captivating two-minute video. Upload the video to the submission form via a YouTube link.
Why Participate?
- Showcase your talent and innovation to one of the world’s leading retailers
- Secure potential interviews for internships and full-time roles at Walmart Global Tech in India
- Get recognized at our annual flagship event, Converge @ Walmart
- Winning teams stand a chance to receive exciting prizes
How to Participate?
Interested candidates can directly apply through this link.
Prizes and Other Benefits
- Winning teams can receive cash prizes upto INR 2,90,000 (subject to tax deduction).
- Winning teams can interview for internships or full-time roles with Walmart Global Tech in India. This is subject to meeting our hiring criteria.
- All participating teams with valid submissions will receive certificates.
Important Dates
- Applications Open: July 15, 2024
- Last date to apply: Aug 16, 2024
- Finalists announcement: Aug 30, 2024
- Winners announcement: Sept 20, 2024
FAQs
How do I participate?
To participate, your team needs to select a theme, describe the problem being addressed and present a unique tech-driven solution for it. You need to create a two-minute video demonstrating your solution, upload it to YouTube (ensure it is unlisted) between July 15 and Aug. 16, 2024 and add it to your submission form.
Can I apply as a part of more than one team?
You are eligible to apply as a member of a team of two to four members.
Can I submit multiple ideas?
While we are glad you have multiple ideas, you can only submit one for this event.
I have submitted my idea; what are the next steps?
Their jury will review all submitted ideas. In the second round, shortlisted teams will be invited to present their solutions or prototypes.
How does Walmart choose the winners for the challenge?
Winners will be chosen based on the following criteria:
Innovation, creativity and scalability of the solution
Technical feasibility of the solution
Impact and benefit to Walmart
Quality of proof of concept and demo
If I am selected for phase two, will I be required to do an in-person presentation?
Your presentation to the grand jury in the second round will take place virtually. Winners of this round will be invited to Converge, where they will be awarded in person. More details will be shared with the finalists closer to the event date.
Is there a prize for winning the competition?
Winning teams stand a chance to receive cash prizes upto INR 2,90,000 (subject to tax deduction).
Deadline
The last date to apply for Sparkathon is Aug. 16, 2024.
