Every hackathon is about code, but Kolkata was about more than that. It was about imagination, about building something that could last, and about showing how a city known for culture and creativity can become a launchpad for the future of web3.

Since June, we have been working with Algorand to activate communities across India. Through education programs, new developers started learning and experimenting, and we wanted to give them a place to come alive as builders. The AlgoHack Kolkata edition became that moment. It was the chance to bring learners and experienced developers together in one room, and the response was overwhelming.

On September 11–12, 2025, AlgoHack Kolkata, powered by Algorand and organized with Rise In, brought together more than 100 builders for two days of nonstop creation.

✨ Hack the Infinite. Code the timeless. What you build here lives forever.

Kolkata Steps Into the Spotlight

Kolkata has always been called a city of ideas. From poets and reformers to entrepreneurs and developers, it has been home to people who shape the future. Hosting AlgoHack here felt like a natural continuation of that spirit.

For Algorand, Kolkata represented something new. After months of building community through education and smaller meetups, this was the first time so many developers in the region came together in person. It was a chance to see learners from our programs step into the builder spotlight, and to watch experienced developers raise their ideas to the next level.

Most hackathons stay online, but in Kolkata, more than 100 developers gathered under one roof. They formed teams, brainstormed face-to-face, and coded through the night. Some were touching Algorand for the first time, while others used the energy in the room to sharpen their prototypes and push them further.

The result was 32 prototypes in just 36 hours, spanning DeFi, payments, and infrastructure. More importantly, it was proof that Kolkata could become a local activation hub, turning cultural creativity into blockchain innovation.

What We Did

For two days, the Build Station became a hub of creativity:

• - 100+ brilliant participants
• - 32 projects shipped in 36 hours
• - Tracks in DeFi, Payments, and Real-World Asset Tokenization
• - Hands-on mentorship, ideation rounds, and workshops from Algorand experts
• - Community moments that mixed fun with focus, from pickleball to late-night coding sprints

By the time pitches took the stage, the atmosphere was a mix of adrenaline, creativity, and pride.

Winning Projects

The Kolkata edition did not just produce prototypes. It spotlighted ambitious ideas with the potential to shape the future of the Algorand ecosystem. From developer infrastructure to DeFi to gaming, the winning projects showed how broad and creative this builder community can be.

🥇 First Place (tie) – $500 

• Algorand-mcp – GitHub
  Algorand-mcp stood out as a powerful developer infrastructure project. By offering 50+ ready-to-use tools, including account management, asset operations, smart contracts, swaps, API integration, and advanced transaction features, it lowers the barrier for anyone building on Algorand. Instead of reinventing the wheel, developers can plug into this MCP server and accelerate their projects. It is not just a toolkit; it is a launchpad for the next generation of Algorand applications.
  
  
• AlgoRun – GitHub · GitHub WS
  AlgoRun reimagined gaming on-chain. It is an on-chain gamified betting platform, blending entertainment and blockchain infrastructure in a way that feels fun, interactive, and secure. What impressed the judges was not just the technical execution, but the vision: games that are owned, trusted, and provably fair on Algorand. AlgoRun captured the idea that web3 gaming is about participation and ownership, not just play.
  
  

🥈 Second Place – $300

• 10xSwap – GitHub
  10xSwap tackled one of the most important use cases in blockchain: simplifying crypto interactions for everyday users. This modern web app makes it easy to manage assets, explore markets, and execute cross-network transactions on Algorand. What makes it different is the AI-powered chat agent. Instead of typing commands or navigating complex UIs, users can simply ask in natural language to check balances, swap tokens, or move assets. It is a glimpse into a future where DeFi feels as intuitive as talking to an assistant.
  
  

🥉 Third Place – $200

• Chronicle of the Ledger – GitHub
  Chronicle of the Ledger brought creativity and storytelling into the hackathon. It is a mythological action-RPG where players journey as the Seeker of Harmony through corrupted Houses to restore balance. Beyond the gameplay, the innovation lies in its integration with Algorand. Achievements, relics, and progress are tokenized as NFTs, giving players true ownership. The project showed how Algorand can power not only financial applications, but also cultural and entertainment experiences that connect people emotionally to blockchain.
  
  

✨ These projects proved that Kolkata’s builders are not only technically strong but also bold in their imagination. They showed how Algorand can be a foundation for developer tools, financial infrastructure, and even immersive storytelling.

Why It Matters for Algorand

In Kolkata, the Algorand community showed just how broad and diverse it can be. Builders came from every level. Experienced Web3 developers coded alongside web2 engineers, making their first leap, and students tested their skills in a real hackathon environment.

For them, this was their very first time touching Algorand. They arrived with ideas and left with working MVPs, discovering what it means to take a thought and bring it to life on-chain.

For those already experienced with Algorand, the hackathon was a chance to take existing ideas further. Surrounded by the energy in the room, they pushed prototypes into stronger, more polished versions, proving that even seasoned builders thrive in the right environment.

Over one weekend, more than 100 developers engaged with Algorand and shipped 32 projects from scratch. It was not only about output but about activating a new local hub. Kolkata added a fresh dimension to Algorand’s presence in India, showing how builder energy can grow region by region.

This was not just a hackathon. It was another step in Algorand’s journey to connect with India’s brightest talent and to turn local momentum into global innovation.

Hear From Participants

The real magic of AlgoHack Kolkata came through in the voices of the builders. Their posts didn’t just talk about code; they showed the friendships, the late-night laughs, and the rush of turning ideas into something real.

Hatif, who built Algorand-mcp, tried something new and walked away with a winning project. His post with the $500 prize check wasn’t just about money; it was about the joy of taking a leap and seeing it pay off.

Snehendu Roy from AlgoRun shared the thrill of standing on stage as a 1st prize winner. His shoutouts to mentors, judges, and teammates captured how much of a team effort this hackathon really was.

Dev Anik and Skyy, part of Team Indrion, posted their 2nd prize celebration with huge smiles and a $300 check in hand. Their journey showed how sleepless nights and constant feedback from mentors can turn into something unforgettable.

And then there were the first-timers. Builders like Anik Bhaumik and Rimanshu wrote about what it felt like to stay up all night for the first time, learning as they went and discovering their own limits.

Posts from Tabsir, Arijit, and Mitul showed quick snapshots of teams huddled around laptops, tired but grinning, sharing snacks and swapping ideas.

Even small updates, like Neha’s, gave a glimpse of the vibe: dynamic rooms, glowing screens, mentors leaning in to help, and that contagious energy you only find at an in-person hackathon.

From winners holding giant checks to candid photos of teammates scribbling on notepads, every story carried the same message: AlgoHack Kolkata wasn’t just about shipping projects. It was about belonging to a community, finding confidence, and feeling the pride of being part of something bigger.

Key Takeaways

• - Kolkata’s culture of creativity fuels technical innovation
• - Real output matters: 32 prototypes built in 36 hours
• - India’s builder movement on Algorand is only growing stronger
• - AlgoHack is becoming a movement, not just an event
  

About the Organizers

Algorand: The blockchain for future-proof, scalable, and sustainable solutions. Algorand powers financial inclusion, next-generation payments, and enterprise-grade blockchain adoption.

Rise In: A talent ecosystem for leading web3 protocols. With over 200,000 developers onboarded through courses, bootcamps, and hackathons, Rise In connects global protocols with local talent across Asia and the Middle East. Europe and LATAM.

What’s Next

From Bangalore to Kolkata, the momentum is building. AlgoHack will continue to travel across India, activating new communities and empowering builders with Algorand.

✨ What you build here does not fade; it becomes part of a chain that lasts.

👉 Apply now to join upcoming Rise In cohorts: risein.com
👉 Already building? Keep hacking with Algorand: algorand.com