From Hackathon Spree to Finding Purpose in Building
Student: Adithya
Year: 1st Year, PES University
Hackathon: Flipr Hackathon 26.2
Background
Some people wait for the “right time” to start exploring.
Adithya didn’t.
A first-year student from PES University, he’s been on what he calls a hackathon spree — joining event after event, learning, failing, improving, and doing it all over again.
But for him, these hackathons weren’t just about coding or prizes.
They were about one thing — understanding problems better.
“I’ve always believed that how you read a problem statement defines how well you solve it,” he said. And that thought became the foundation of his entire approach during the Flipr Hackathon.
The Challenge
Adithya’s focus from day one was clear: get the problem right before you get the code right.
While many rush to build something fast, he wanted to pause and think —
What exactly are we solving?
Who is it for?
And why does it matter?
That mindset made all the difference. He quickly realized that once the problem was clear, the rest — design, code, logic — all started falling into place naturally.
It’s a lesson he keeps close: speed is great, but clarity is better.
The Hackathon Experience
When asked to describe the Flipr Hackathon in one word, Adithya didn’t hesitate — “Fun.”
But he didn’t mean it lightly. For him, fun meant flow.
That feeling where you’re coding, laughing, discussing, debugging, and suddenly realize — this is where I belong.
He said he “felt at home” — surrounded by people who were just as curious, driven, and chaotic in the best way possible.
The structure of the Flipr hackathon, the mentor support, and the fast-paced setup gave him a glimpse of what real-world collaboration feels like — not just building, but building together.
The Project
Adithya’s team worked on a project that perfectly matched his strengths — backend development and systems integration.
He was the one who stitched things together, ensuring everything ran smoothly behind the scenes.
The APIs connected, the logic held, and the entire system felt cohesive.
He likes to joke that he’s the person who “holds things together when everything else starts breaking.”
But in reality, that’s exactly what every solid backend engineer does — quietly making sure the magic on the screen actually works.
Adithya’s Contribution
In every hackathon, Adithya naturally takes up the same role — the glue guy.
The one who holds all the pieces together.
At Flipr 26.2, he took charge of the backend and integrations. He ensured that everything connected the way it should — efficiently and reliably.
He believes that strong fundamentals are what make or break a hackathon project.
And this time, he saw that firsthand.
As he puts it —
“You can’t build fast if your fundamentals are weak. Fix your basics, and speed will follow.”
Outcome & Reflection
For Adithya, the biggest takeaway wasn’t just another project to add to his list — it was a shift in how he thinks about building.
He learned that hackathons aren’t just about speed or innovation; they’re about awareness — understanding what it really takes to work in a fast-paced environment and create something meaningful in limited time.
And even as a first-year student, he proved that curiosity matters more than experience.
Every hackathon he attends adds another layer of depth to his journey — another chance to build, break, and build again.
Student Quote
“Flipr Hackathons feel like home — fun, fast, and full of learning.
They teach you what it actually takes to be part of a fast-paced environment and build something that matters.”
Closing Thoughts
From being a first-year student on a hackathon spree to understanding what real engineering feels like, Adithya’s story is a reminder that growth doesn’t wait for the ‘right time’.
Flipr Hackathons have become his playground for learning, experimenting, and challenging himself — and that’s exactly what we love seeing at Flipr Labs.
Because when curiosity meets consistency, that’s when real learning begins.