Rishab Mittal
Senior Software Engineer
Hello! I’m Rishab, from India. I was born and raised in Yamuna Nagar, Haryana. After working for 7 years of experience in software development, specializing in scalable backend systems and distributed architecture. I joined PayPay India in January 2025
to work on challenging fintech problems and contribute to large-scale, high-performance systems.
Joining a new company is always a whirlwind of emotions—excitement, nervousness, and anticipation for the journey ahead. Little did I know when I joined PayPay India in January 2025 that I’d soon find myself at the heart of one of its most thrilling events: the PayPay India Hackathon 2025.
Table of Contents
The Hackathon’s Theme
The hackathon, titled “Re-invent Financial Ecosystem with AI”, aimed to reimagine the financial ecosystem using artificial intelligence. As an organizer, along with Ashish Jindal, I was entrusted with not only coordinating the event but also being its emcee—a role that required us to channel our enthusiasm and keep the energy alive across the three-day.
Event Highlights: A Three-Day Journey of Innovation
The hackathon unfolded as an exhilarating three-day event of innovation, collaboration, and intense problem-solving. Each day brought a distinct energy, culminating in a showcase of remarkable ingenuity and strategic foresight
Day 1: The Inspiring Kickoff and Development Day
Day 1 set an immediately inspiring tone, with the air buzzing with anticipation and creative potential. My copilot, Ashish Jindal, and I had the privilege of delivering an enthusiastic welcome speech, where we clarified the hackathon’s ambitious goals. The stage was set for immediate development initiation.
Day 2: Focused Development and Rigorous Refinement
As the hackathon moved into Day 2, the energy shifted towards intensive development and rigorous rehearsals. Teams plunged deeper into their projects, transforming abstract concepts into tangible prototypes. The atmosphere was one of dedicated focus, fueled by innovation, a shared drive to build, and a supply of free food that kept spirits and energy levels high. This day truly tested their technical acumen, problem-solving abilities, and the strength of their teamwork as they prepared for the grand finale.
Day 3: Showcase and Award Ceremony
The final day was a thrilling culmination of all the hard work. Ashish and I began the day with a small skit, adding a lighthearted and memorable interlude. Following this lively performance, we extended a warm welcome to our distinguished panel of expert judges. Teams then unveiled their innovative solutions to the judges, showcasing their creativity and technical prowess. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as each team presented their vision. On this day, CEO also joined as a judge. The event concluded with an award ceremony, celebrating the most impactful and forward-thinking solutions.
Learnings from the Hackathon
This hackathon, coming so soon after I joined the company, was a significant learning experience for me. I can particularly highlight the following three points:
- Collaboration is Key:
The hackathon brought together people from HR, product, design, and development, who normally don’t work side by side. While forming teams, we saw how quickly participants combined their unique strengths—developers coding, designers shaping interfaces, HR members bringing user-centric insights, and product colleagues aligning business goals. As organizer, we also collaborated with multiple teams throughout the event to ensure smooth coordination. This experience showed me that the best results come when diverse skills and perspectives come together with a common goal. - Adaptability Wins the Day:
The hackathon showed me that adaptability was just as important as planning. Teams had to adjust constantly—some pivoted their ideas mid-way when they realized the original plan wasn’t feasible. Participants simplified complex ideas into smaller, achievable solutions and refined their presentations to highlight clarity, feasibility, and impact, proving that flexibility leads to stronger outcomes. As an emcee, I also had to adapt in real time—changing my tone to energize the audience during long waits, shifting to a formal style when welcoming the chief guest, and filling unexpected gaps when schedules ran over. These moments taught me that adaptability isn’t just about reacting to challenges, but about creating an environment where everyone can still succeed despite changing circumstances. - The Power of Creativity:
The hackathon was a reminder that creativity thrives under constraints. In just three days, teams translated abstract ideas into tangible prototypes. On Day 3, their presentations impressed the judges with not only technical brilliance but also imaginative approaches. Creativity also played a role in how we kept the energy alive as emcees—whether through a lively opening ceremony, fun skits, or energizing the crowd during the award ceremony.
Why You Should Join Us
Participating in and organizing this hackathon reaffirmed that it isn’t just a workplace—it’s a platform for innovation, learning, and growth.
Here’s why you should consider joining us!
- Innovative Culture: If you thrive on solving real-world problems, you’ll feel right at home.
- Collaborative Spirit: We believe great ideas come from teamwork.
- Growth Opportunities: From hackathons to upskilling programs, we invest in your professional journey.
*Job openings and employee affiliations are current as of the time of the interview.