A cast iron pan sizzling with garlic, chili and herbs

Future Food Forum proudly presents

BITEHACK 2026

BITEHACK Logo EmblemIDEA 2 PLATE

Dr. R. Shivakumar Foundation & SRM Institute of Science & Technology

(Department of Food Technology & Institute of Hotel Management - Tiruchirappalli)

  • Selection: Oct 14-15
  • Main Event: Oct 26
  • SRMIST, Trichy
  • 3 to 5 Members
Register Team Now
Explore Event Details

course_01About The Event

Connecting Student Creativity with Real-World Food Innovation.

Identify a real food-related problem and propose an innovative solution.

Build a basic prototype, formulation, or proof of concept.

Present commercial potential, target audience, and costing to an expert judging panel.

Selected ideas can receive opportunities for funding, mentorship, product development support, and further commercialization from the Dr. R Shivakumar Foundation.

course_02Focus Areas

Key Focus Areas in Food Innovation

Targeting high-impact research, development, and technological advances across the food spectrum.

area_01

Food Technology & Biotech

Biotechnological processes, gut-health formulations, fermentation, functional foods, and novel ingredient discovery.

  • Biotech
  • Gut Health
  • Functional Foods
area_02

Sustainability & Valorisation

Zero-waste cooking, upcycling food waste into high-value products, plant-based alternatives, and eco-conscious sourcing.

  • Upcycling
  • Waste Valorisation
  • Plant-Based
area_03

Product Innovation & Packaging

Smart interactive packaging, shelf-life extension, convenience consumer foods, and personalized nutrition solutions.

  • Smart Packaging
  • Convenience
  • Personalised Nutrition

course_03Suggested Food Innovation Domains

Explore 11 High-Potential Domains

Choose one or combine domains to create your breakthrough food product:

Functional Foods
DOMAIN 01

Functional Foods

Enhanced nutritional benefit & bio-active compounds

BITEHACK 2026Explore Domain →
Healthy Snacks
DOMAIN 02

Healthy Snacks

Clean-label, nutrient-dense everyday snacks

BITEHACK 2026Explore Domain →
Sustainable Foods
DOMAIN 03

Sustainable Foods

Low-carbon footprint, regenerative food systems

BITEHACK 2026Explore Domain →
Plant-Based Products
DOMAIN 04

Plant-Based Products

Meat & dairy alternatives with premium texture

BITEHACK 2026Explore Domain →
Gut-Health Products
DOMAIN 05

Gut-Health Products

Probiotics, prebiotics & fermented creations

BITEHACK 2026Explore Domain →
Food Biotechnology
DOMAIN 06

Food Biotechnology

Enzymatic, microbial & bioprocess solutions

BITEHACK 2026Explore Domain →
Novel Ingredients
DOMAIN 07

Novel Ingredients

Algae, insects, mushroom mycelium & wild flora

BITEHACK 2026Explore Domain →
Food Waste Valorisation
DOMAIN 08

Food Waste Valorisation

Transforming industrial side-streams to edible value

BITEHACK 2026Explore Domain →
Smart Packaging
DOMAIN 09

Smart Packaging

Active, intelligent, biodegradable food wrapping

BITEHACK 2026Explore Domain →
Convenience Foods
DOMAIN 10

Convenience Foods

Ready-to-eat & ready-to-cook meal innovations

BITEHACK 2026Explore Domain →
Personalised Nutrition
DOMAIN 11

Personalised Nutrition

Tailored dietary solutions for specific health needs

BITEHACK 2026Explore Domain →

course_04Why Participate?

5 Steps From Idea to Plate

Transform your passion for food science into a viable, funded venture.

STEP 01
INNOVATE

Bring Forward an Original Idea

Submit a fresh, original food-product idea addressing real consumer needs.

STEP 02
BUILD

Convert into Practical Prototype

Formulate, test, and develop a working prototype or proof-of-concept.

STEP 03
PITCH

Present to Industry Experts

Pitch target audience, commercial viability, and product strengths to judges.

STEP 04
CONNECT

Network with Leaders

Interact with mentors, food scientists, judges, and fellow innovators.

STEP 05
GROW

Receive Commercial Support

Selected concepts get funding, mentorship, and commercialization from R. Shivakumar Foundation.

course_05Submission & Pitch Guidelines

Key Pillars for Concept Evaluation

Your project pitch and presentation should address these critical aspects:

PILLAR 01

Problem Statement & Consumer Need

Clear identification of a market gap or food sector issue.

PILLAR 02

Product Concept & Key Innovation

What makes your food product unique and groundbreaking.

PILLAR 03

Prototype / Formulation / Proof of Concept

Tangible formulation, recipe, or physical prototype.

PILLAR 04

Target Market & Customer Profile

Defined demographic, buyer persona, and market potential.

PILLAR 05

Alternatives & Differentiation

Analysis of current market competitors and your advantage.

PILLAR 06

Costing, Pricing & Commercialization

Financial feasibility, unit economics, and launch plan.

PILLAR 07

Future Scale-Up Pathway

Roadmap for scaling production, regulatory compliance, and distribution.

course_06Category & Fees

Registration Fee Structure

Standardized participation fees for all categories. Team registration includes access to selection rounds, evaluation, and certification.

UG & PG Students

Per team member

Fee per member

₹300

Ph.D. Scholars

Per team member

Fee per member

₹500

Faculty Members

Per team member

Fee per member

₹700

Industry Persons

Per team member

Fee per member

₹1000

course_07IDEA2PLATE Journey

The Event Roadmap

  1. STAGE 01Registration Phase
    Call Out Your Idea

    Submit Product Concept

    Present a food product concept that addresses a clear consumer need or food-sector problem.

  2. STAGE 0214th & 15th October 2026
    Preliminary Round

    Selection Round Presentations

    Short-listed teams present their initial concepts and receive feedback to refine their prototypes.

  3. STAGE 03Interim Sprint
    Develop

    Prototype & Pitch Refinement

    Refine product concept, formulation, target consumer, uniqueness, and commercial feasibility.

  4. STAGE 0426th October 2026
    Main Round

    Grand Finale Event Pitch

    Short-listed teams pitch their fully developed food-product concepts live to the executive panel.

  5. STAGE 05Post-Event Growth
    Fund & Commercialise

    Incubation & Commercial Support

    Selected concepts receive funding, mentorship, and commercialization support via Dr. R. Shivakumar Foundation.

course_08Coordinators & Leadership

Meet the Organizing Committee

Faculty and leadership guiding BITEHACK 2026 IDEA2PLATE.

Executive Coordinators

COORDINATOR 01

Ar. Sivakumar Karmegam

Dean - Innovation

Director - R Shivakumar Foundation

COORDINATOR 02

Dr. M. Maria Leena

HoD - Food Tech, SOBT

SRM Institute of Science & Technology - Trichy

marialeena.m@ist.srmtrichy.edu.in
COORDINATOR 03

Mr. Prince Antony

Vice-Principal (Administration)

Institute of Hotel Management, SRMIST - Trichy

vp.admin.ihm@ist.srmtrichy.edu.in

Co-Coordinators

1

Mr. Gnanamoorthyeswaran

Assistant Professor

Food Tech, SOBT, SRMIST - Trichy

2

Mr. V. Gunasekar

Assistant Professor

Institute of Hotel Management, SRMIST - Trichy

course_09Prize Pool & Awards

₹ 50,000 Total Prize Pool

Five distinct awards of ₹10,000 each + commercialization opportunities. Certificates will be provided to all participants.

₹50,000
Total Cash Prizes
₹10,000 x5
Per Category Award
100%
Certificates Provided
Max 5
Members / Team

Category Awards (₹10,000 Each)

₹10,000

Best Innovative Product

₹10,000

For the most groundbreaking, practical, and market-ready food product formulation.

₹10,000

Best Pitch

₹10,000

For the most compelling presentation of business strategy, market need, and pitch execution.

₹10,000

Best Sustainable Innovation

₹10,000

For top achievements in upcycling, zero-waste, eco-packaging, or sustainable food systems.

₹10,000

Best Idea

₹10,000

For the most creative and original concept identifying untapped consumer needs.

₹10,000

Best Problem Solving

₹10,000

For addressing critical challenges in the food sector with high feasibility and impact.

Certificates & Commercial Support

Certificates will be provided to all participants. Selected concepts receive opportunities for funding, mentorship, and commercialization through the Dr. R. Shivakumar Foundation.

course_10Event Schedule

Important Event Dates

Selection Round

  1. Preliminary Concept PresentationsSelection Phase
  2. Mentor Feedback & Prototype EvaluationMentorship
  3. Short-listing Teams for Main EventFinalists

course_11Frequently Asked Questions

Everything You Need To Know

course_12Register Now

Reserve Your Team Station

Form a team of 3 to 5 members and select your participation category.

Official Google Form

Registration Portal

Registration for BITEHACK 2026: IDEA 2 PLATE is conducted via the official Google Form. Please ensure details for all team members (3 to 5) are ready before proceeding.

Registration Fee Structure

UG & PG Students₹ 300Per team member
Ph.D. Scholars₹ 500Per team member
Faculty Members₹ 700Per team member
Industry Persons₹ 1000Per team member
Min 3 to Max 5 Members per team
Selection: Oct 14 & 15 | Main Event: Oct 26, 2026
₹50,000 Total Prize Pool + Funding Opportunities
Register Team on Google Form