OUR PROGRESS · 2025 HACKATHON
64 students from seven rural Punjab schools formed 16 teams, built practical technology skills and competed for 12 laptops to continue learning at home.
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16 teams from classes VIII–XII took part across rural Punjab.
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Students learned practical digital skills, then showcased their talent by building prototypes for real community problems.
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Each student on the three winning teams received a laptop to continue learning and building at home.
ABOUT DIGIACCESS
DigiAccess was founded by Noor Virk and Simran Gill—two Punjabis now based in New York—after receiving a Davis Projects for Peace grant to help bridge the digital opportunity gap for rural students.
We believe students in Punjab should not be left behind as technology and AI move forward. Our work introduces young people to what technology can make possible, then helps provide the access and resources to turn their ideas into change.
Across rural India, talented students in low-income communities are too often excluded from the technology shaping how the world learns and works. Without reliable devices and digital skills training, their potential is limited before it can be seen.
DigiAccess is a nonprofit that runs hands-on technology hackathons, identifies talented students and gives winning teams laptops they can keep. We aim to source unused devices from corporate partners, turning one event into lasting digital access, learning and opportunity.
DigiAccess is founded by Noor Virk and Simran Gill, who bring experience from global technology companies. We work with the Bharti Airtel Foundation's school network and local educators across India.
Mentor students or help at a hackathon.
Help buy laptops and prizes for winning teams.
