Curiosity, Code & a 12-Hour Sprint: Charan’s Flipr Hackathon Journey
Student: Maddinala Venkat Charan
Year: 4th Year, PES University
Hackathon: Flipr Hackathon 26.2
Background
Some people join hackathons for the competition.
Some join for the prizes.
But for Charan, it all started with one simple emotion — curiosity.
During an in-office 12-hour hackathon at Flipr, he wasn’t sure what to expect.
He just wanted to experience what building under pressure actually feels like… and whether he could hold his own in a real, fast-paced engineering environment.
That one decision opened up a day full of learning, teamwork, and surprising moments of clarity.
The Challenge
Jumping into a 12-hour hackathon means one thing — you don’t have time to overthink.
You decide, you build, you break things, you fix them… and you keep moving.
For Charan, the biggest challenge wasn’t the code — it was managing time and making decisions quickly.
Real development under deadlines forces you to prioritize, communicate, and stay calm when things get chaotic.
And this experience taught him exactly that.
The Hackathon Experience
Charan describes his Flipr experience with genuine appreciation —
“Flipr members were very supportive.”
Support matters, especially when you’re building fast.
The Flipr team guided, encouraged, and ensured participants never felt stuck or alone during the sprint.
For Charan, the hackathon wasn’t just “12 hours of coding.”
It felt like a small simulation of a real engineering team — intense, collaborative, and surprisingly fun.
The Project
Charan and his team built a Full-Stack Stock Market Application — fast, functional, and focused on giving users real-time data and insights.
It wasn’t just about building something cool; it was about understanding how frontend, backend, and user experience come together to form a complete product.
For a 12-hour hackathon, it was the perfect blend of ambition and execution.
Charan’s Contribution
Charan handled the backend development — the core logic that powered the entire application.
He worked on APIs, data flow, and ensuring everything stayed stable throughout the sprint.
But beyond the technical part, something else grew stronger —
his leadership skills.
Leading tasks, coordinating with teammates, and keeping everyone on track helped him understand what it really takes to steer a project under time pressure.
Outcome & Reflection
By the end of the hackathon, Charan walked away with more than just a functioning app.
He gained:
- Time management skills
- Leadership confidence
- Clarity on how real teams work
- A stronger belief in his ability to build fast and build well
And his final takeaway?
“Definitely recommend joining Flipr Hackathons — enjoy the journey and the experience.”
Student Quote
“Flipr Hackathon taught me time management and leadership. The experience was smooth, the members were supportive, and I’d definitely recommend others to join.”
Closing Thoughts
From joining out of curiosity to building a full-stack product in 12 hours, Charan’s journey at Flipr Hackathon 26.2 is a reminder that growth often starts with a simple “Why not?”
He came in curious.
He left with skills, confidence, and a story worth sharing.
And that’s exactly what Flipr Labs stands for — helping students discover what they’re capable of when they step into real-world building.
Because sometimes, one intense day of learning can teach you more than months of slow, safe practice.