Samarth Shiramshetty, an Indian-origin graduate student from Northern Illinois University (NIU), has made headlines as the TreeHacks 2025 grand prize winner at Stanford University.
Competing in one of the world’s most prestigious hackathons, Shiramshetty’s AI-driven platform, HiveMind, stood out for its innovation in education technology.
Samarth Shiramshetty’s Project “HiveMind” Wins Stanford TreeHacks 2025 Grand Prize
At TreeHacks 2025, Shiramshetty developed HiveMind, an AI-powered virtual learning tool that integrates with platforms like Zoom to identify students struggling silently in online classrooms.
The platform forms peer-learning “nodes,” delivering real-time, personalized academic support, earning him the Stanford hackathon winner title.
Built in just 36 hours, HiveMind utilizes OpenAI and Perplexity APIs, and advanced cognitive modeling to enhance learning outcomes, clearly showcasing innovation by Indian students in global tech spaces.
“Winning the Stanford TreeHacks grand prize felt like a dream. It’s a validation of the idea that tech should be inclusive and empowering,” said Samarth Shiramshetty.
How Samarth Shiramshetty’s Journey From Hyderabad to Stanford Made Headlines
Born and raised in Hyderabad, India, Samarth Shiramshetty began his academic path at Osmania University and worked at Accenture before pursuing an M.S. in Management Information Systems at NIU.
He has interned at Webacy and Episensor, showing a consistent drive for tech-driven impact.
His Indian student tech innovation has not only earned praise from top tech companies but also turned him into a rising star among Indian students in US hackathons.
“TreeHacks was intense. Competing with Stanford, Harvard, and MIT teams was surreal. I’m proud to represent Indian students on such a global stage,” he added.
Stanford TreeHacks 2025 Results: Samarth Shiramshetty Among Top Hackathon Winners of 2025
The TreeHacks Stanford results featured standout projects across healthcare, fintech, and education. But Shiramshetty’s focus on AI in education earned him top honors:
- $1,000 cash prize
- Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses
- Official TreeHacks merchandise
His win is now a highlight of the TreeHacks 2025 results, adding to the growing list of Indian coders’ wins in international hackathon achievements.
What’s Next for TreeHacks 2025 Winner Samarth Shiramshetty?
Currently, Shiramshetty is exploring full-time roles in AI, data engineering, and possibly launching a startup in ed-tech or health-tech.
His story resonates as one of the Stanford success stories India can be proud of, marking a rising trend of NRI student tech innovation on the world stage.
“This is just the beginning. I want to keep building solutions that matter,” said Samarth Shiramshetty.
