Goa will host a first-of-its-kind beachside innovation event, ‘Goa Shackathon’, at Baga Beach from May 21 to 22, bringing together startups, creators, designers, students and remote professionals for a unique “workation” experience.
Organised by the state’s Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (DITE&C), the two-day event seeks to blend innovation, networking and collaboration in a non-conventional setting by transforming Goa’s iconic beach shacks into collaborative workspaces.
Officials said more than 300 participants had been shortlisted for the event from over 700 registrations received from across sectors and professional backgrounds.
A senior official said the initiative aims to reimagine the traditional hackathon format by allowing participants to ideate, collaborate and engage in discussions while experiencing Goa’s work-life culture and tourism ecosystem.
State IT and Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said the response to the event had been encouraging and reflected growing interest in Goa as a destination for innovation, remote work and creative collaboration.
“The response to the event has been very encouraging and shows that professionals and creators are increasingly looking at Goa as a hub for innovation and new ways of working,” he said.
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The first day of the event, themed “Hustle and High Tides”, will feature discussions and interactive sessions on artificial intelligence, robotics, startups and communication technologies, with participation from industry experts, entrepreneurs and speakers from the technology sector.
The second day, themed “Creators and Coastlines”, will focus on creators, designers and media professionals. Sessions are expected to cover creativity, artificial intelligence in design and communication, digital storytelling and networking activities aimed at encouraging collaboration among participants.
According to organisers, professionals and startups working in sectors such as TourismTech, TravelTech, AI, healthcare, DeepTech, EdTech and DroneTech are expected to take part in the event.
The initiative also aligns with Goa’s broader push to position itself as more than just a tourism destination by attracting startups, digital nomads, entrepreneurs and remote workers seeking flexible and creative work environments.
In recent years, Goa has increasingly emerged as a preferred location for remote professionals and startup communities because of its connectivity, tourism infrastructure and lifestyle appeal. The Shackathon seeks to capitalise on that trend by combining innovation-driven discussions with the state’s coastal setting and hospitality culture.
Officials said the event is expected to provide participants with opportunities for networking, idea-sharing and collaboration while showcasing Goa’s evolving role in India’s startup and innovation ecosystem.
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