LinkedIn and Accenture are partnering to host HackFest 2016, a non-stop 20-hour challenge in Bangalore from September 24-25 during which students from across India will have a unique opportunity to solve real-world business and human challenges through innovative approaches and game-changing ideas.   

Students will need to hack, but not necessarily code, to conceive new ideas that elevate human performance at work. So it provides a platform for students across India to showcase their creativity in shaping how companies can think about people strategies.

“We created HackFest 2016 to bring together the best brains to help solve the world’s most-challenging problems,” said Ellyn Shook, Accenture’s chief leadership and human resources officer.  “When we think about the future of work, the solutions that worked yesterday will not necessarily work tomorrow.  HackFest 2016 is a platform for extraordinary minds, representing multiple points of view, to develop inspired and innovative approaches that address some of the most difficult human and business challenges.”

Pat Wadors, senior vice president of LinkedIn’s global talent organization, said, “In a world where the next big thing can emerge in a flash, often with significant disruptions to business models, it’s critical to get ahead of the game and invest in ideas that drive readiness and performance.  It’s exciting for us to work with this generation of young minds, who will become future leaders and the majority of tomorrow's workforce, to imagine what we can achieve together. HackFest 2016 is also an opportunity for students to inspire others as they bring to life fresh and innovative solutions to capture opportunities ahead of us.”                 

The contest winners will be selected by a jury of leading executives, including: Ellyn Shook, chief leadership and human resources officer, Accenture; Pat Wadors, senior vice president of LinkedIn’s global talent organization; Ranjan Malik, founder of STORM the NORM Ventures; Dr S Raghunath, professor of corporate strategy and policy at the India Institute of Management in Bangalore; and Akshay Kothari, Country Manager of LinkedIn India.