The 2025 Edition was held from March 14 - 16, 2025
The UAE InnovAIte Hackathon 2025 brought together over 280 students from 40+ schools, creating an incredible and diverse showcase of innovation, teamwork, and problem-solving embodying the very essence of a hackathon.
This year’s theme, Mental Health & Wellbeing, challenged participants to develop AI-driven solutions aimed at making a real impact. From AI-powered mental health support systems to innovative stress management tools, the projects that emerged were nothing short of extraordinary.
A huge thank you to our participants, mentors, judges, and supporters—your dedication and passion made this event possible. The energy in the room was a testament to the power of technology, innovation, and creativity in shaping the future.
HIGHLIGHTS
2025 Winners
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Winners - Machine Mindset
Project: Mind Metric
Mind Metric is an AI-powered emotion detection system that analyzes students’ emotions in real time using DeepFace and face recognition. Integrated with Whisper API for lesson transcription, it provides personalized feedback to enhance student-teacher connections and well-being. Future plans include expanding into a full well-being platform, integrating insights from students, parents, and educators.
Members: Johann Herbert, Ronak Rajpurohit, Mohammad Allahham, Ryan Sammakieh -
Runners Up - Data Minors
Project: Serenity
Serenity is an AI-powered mental wellness platform designed to provide accessible, personalized emotional support. It features NeuroCare, an AI chatbot for proactive mental health guidance; MindMate, a real-time voice companion; and SoulSync, a digital journal with mood-tracking insights. The platform also connects users to professional counseling, making mental health support more affordable and community-driven. To be added
Members: Swarit Kapoor, Shaurya Shekhawat, Vedanth Aggarwal, Hridhaan Arora
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3rd Place - ModernAItes
Project: CalmNest
CalmNest is an AI-driven desktop application that monitors users’ emotions through a background camera and provides tailored mental wellness interventions. It offers AI-guided therapy sessions, mood-boosting suggestions, and positive reinforcement. In cases of anxiety attacks, CalmNest activates an emergency protocol with guided breathing exercises and calming prompts.
Members: Shreyram Seetharaman, Vrishank Sai Anand, Mathew Stanley, Mahima Stanley, Arham Kidwai
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Best Female-Majority Team – STEMPALS
Project: MindMelody
MindMelody is an interactive web app that generates personalized music based on emotional voice analysis. By comparing a user’s baseline voice to their current emotional state, the AI-powered system creates dynamic, mood-adaptive music to enhance emotional well-being.
Members: Tia Singh, Maanya Mahajan, Ishita Gupta, Divyana Maheshwari
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Best Emirati-Majority Team – Desert Innovators
Project: Open Heart
Open Heart is an AI-powered mental health support app offering an anonymous, safe space for emotional expression. It includes an AI chatbot, a community-driven forum, and a mood tracker to promote self-reflection and well-being, ensuring privacy and accessibility for users seeking mental health support.
Members: Nawal Ashri, Hessa Almehairi, Fatma Rafi, Khadija Aljasmi
Meet the 2025 Team
The 2025 team brought together a dynamic mix of three Year 12s—Aryav Odhrani, Dasuni Gunasekara, and Nirvaan Thawani—alongside Year 11 Alizeh Ali. With a balance of experience and fresh perspectives, they each contributed something unique, working seamlessly as a team. Whether it was problem-solving, strategizing, or thinking outside the box, this group tackled every challenge that came their way!
2025
Sponsors
JUDGES
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Abhay Maddheshiya
Manager - Business Excellence - Supertech Group
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Alunood Almulla
Innovation Manager - Emirates NBD
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Amira Hussain
BIA EAP Lecturer - University of Birmingham Dubai
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Anuscha Iqbal
Co-Founder and CEO - Qanooni
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Dev Shahani
CTO - DCB Trading
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Dr. Balqis Albreiki
Head of AI - EDGE Group
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Dr. Hamad Alkaabi
Head of Aerodynamics - Edge Group
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Dr. Mian M. Hamayun
Associate Professor and Head of Computer Science - University of Birmingham Dubai
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Dr. Mohammed Alazizi
Manager - Rocket Propulsion - EDGE Group
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Dr. Nancy Joumaa
Senior People & Culture Partner - Emirates NBD
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Dr. Niloofer Shanavas
Assistant Professor in Computer Science - University of Birmingham Dubai
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Haresh G Sajnani
Founder and CEO - NPVIX FZ LLC
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Jaya Ravi
Digital Marketing Manager - TPH Group
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Laura Tristam
Co-Founder & Wellness Manager - Lumii.me
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Mark Wood
Head of Computer Science - Dubai College
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Oneida Correa
Senior Wellbeing, Engagement and Recognition Partner - Emirates NBD
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Peter Davos
Founder and CEO - Hale Education Group
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Pieter Rossouw
Manager, Technology Portfolio - EDGE Group
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Saba Nasser
Director - VISA
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Sanjeewa K D Wijayathilake
Commercial Manager - Projects Control - BK Gulf LLC - Dutco Group
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Sathiyaseelan Karuppasamy
Senior Manager - Supertech Group
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Sean Sarginson
Head of Group Innovation & Fintech Engagement - Emirates NBD
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Seema Shetty
Head of Corporate Social Responsibility - Emirates NBD
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Rahul Babu
Senior Program Manager - Supertech Group
University of Birmingham Dubai
UAE InnovAIte Hackathon 2025’s Official Venue Sponsor
The University of Birmingham Dubai is the official venue sponsor of the UAE InnovAIte Hackathon 2025. The University of Birmingham Dubai’s Computer Science Department supports InnovAIte by providing venue space, technical resources, and industry expertise. Their involvement provides a strong foundation for AI-driven innovation, empowering young developers.
