What our clients say

Divergent is a student-led nonprofit running hackathons for high schoolers (link in comments). These kids (all under 18) traveled from around the county to compete and they were so impressive! From reinventing RAM utilization to the next generation of smart glasses for the blind/visually impaired, their ideas were so thoughtful, well researched and incredibly innovative. And their pitch skills were better than most seasoned executives - clear, concise, engaging. The next generation of tech leader looks bright! So thrilling to see them in action IRL.

(I did take a peek at the game every now and again)

Every massive tech ecosystem started the exact same way: a room full of people who refused to accept the world as it currently is, deciding instead to build a better version of it.

Right now at SURF Incubator, that exact philosophy is playing out. Except the builders in the room aren’t seasoned startup veterans—they are high school students.

In partnership with Divergent Teams, we are hosting a high-stakes hackathon featuring over 20 teams of young innovators. Watching them build products reminds us of a core truth in the venture and startup world: raw talent and unbridled curiosity are the ultimate leading indicators of future disruption. Before the pitch decks, the cap tables, and the market-fit pivots, there is just pure, unfiltered execution.

If you are part of the tech community in the startup ecosystem, this is where the future is being forged. And we have two ways for you to get involved right now:

⚖️ We need 1 or 2 more Judges (Tomorrow, Sunday): If you have an eye for innovation and want to help crown the winners of this intense competition, we have a couple of last-minute seats on our judging panel.

👀 Come to the Tabletop Booth Showcase (Sunday): Want to see what the next generation is capable of? Drop by SURF Incubator tomorrow to walk the floor, meet the teams, and see their projects firsthand.

Today, we are mentoring. Tomorrow, they compete.

If you want to judge or grab a spot to check out the showcase tomorrow, drop a comment below or send me a DM directly. Let’s back the next generation of builders together. Sign up for the tabletop showcase is in the comments!

Yesterday, we had the privilege of hosting an incredible #MicrosoftGive event at the Microsoft New York City offices in partnership with Global Kids and #DivergentHackathons, bringing together students, educators, industry leaders, and volunteers around a shared mission: creating opportunities and expanding access to technology and mentorship for the next generation.

One of the most inspiring moments of the day was hearing Janet Sokoloff of Elevance Health deliver the opening keynote. Janet shared her personal journey from growing up as a high school student in the Bronx to leading large-scale technology and business initiatives today. Her story was a powerful reminder to students that where you start does not determine where you can go, and that perseverance, curiosity, and continuous learning can open doors to incredible opportunities.

The event also featured engaging sessions from Nithesh Krishnappa (Amazon Web Services (AWS)), Aviraj A. (Microsoft), Sowmya Bhat Bonanthaya (Mastercard) , Laura T. (Microsoft) and Ravin Agrawal (Microsoft), who generously shared their career experiences, hands on labs and perspectives on navigating the rapidly changing technology landscape.

This event marks the start of an exciting 8-week summer internship program hosted by Divergent Hackathons and Global Kids, where students will work on real-world projects, collaborate with mentors, and gain hands-on experience in technology, AI, business, and innovation. Programs like these play a critical role in helping students build confidence, develop practical skills, and envision new possibilities for their futures. Learn more about the internship program here: Divergent Teams Internships.

Right now at SURF Incubator, that exact philosophy is playing out. Except the builders in the room aren’t seasoned startup veterans—they are high school students.

In partnership with Divergent Teams, we are hosting a high-stakes hackathon featuring over 20 teams of young innovators. Watching them build products reminds us of a core truth in the venture and startup world: raw talent and unbridled curiosity are the ultimate leading indicators of future disruption. Before the pitch decks, the cap tables, and the market-fit pivots, there is just pure, unfiltered execution.

If you are part of the tech community in the startup ecosystem, this is where the future is being forged. And we have two ways for you to get involved right now:

⚖️ We need 1 or 2 more Judges (Tomorrow, Sunday): If you have an eye for innovation and want to help crown the winners of this intense competition, we have a couple of last-minute seats on our judging panel.

👀 Come to the Tabletop Booth Showcase (Sunday): Want to see what the next generation is capable of? Drop by SURF Incubator tomorrow to walk the floor, meet the teams, and see their projects firsthand.

Today, we are mentoring. Tomorrow, they compete.

If you want to judge or grab a spot to check out the showcase tomorrow, drop a comment below or send me a DM directly. Let’s back the next generation of builders together. Sign up for the tabletop showcase is in the comments!

Got to see student innovators from across the country pitch their projects. What stood out wasn't the technical execution—it was the mission behind it. Every team had identified a real problem and genuinely believed their solution could create impact.

That clarity of purpose at that age is what builds real leaders.

Thank you Divergent Teams for bringing these innovators together and creating space for the next generation to lead.

Hosted at SURF Incubator, Seattle | July 19, 2026

How do we help you win? We provide you a national-level pitch deck, business model, and script capable of winning prestigous competitions such as the Congressional App Challenge. Our most recent win was the National Divergent Cup, raising 4,000 dollars for our organization so we can have more funds to donate local compost to local farms and more. So in other words, it's a win-win: you get the first place certificate, and we get the funds to support our cause.

Divergent is a student-led nonprofit running hackathons for high schoolers (link in comments). These kids (all under 18) traveled from around the county to compete and they were so impressive! From reinventing RAM utilization to the next generation of smart glasses for the blind/visually impaired, their ideas were so thoughtful, well researched and incredibly innovative. And their pitch skills were better than most seasoned executives - clear, concise, engaging.

The next generation of tech leader looks bright! So thrilling to see them in action IRL.

(I did take a peek at the game every now and again)

A sincere thank you to our panelists—Scott Lynde, Kishore Saokar, Jharna Madan, and Madhav Nair—for their profound insight and perspectives on the evolving roles and transformative impact of AI and technology in today's world. Your expertise on the current tech landscape provided everyone with a much clearer look at what the future holds.

A huge thank you to the software engineers, data analysts, project managers, and CEO's who led today’s workshops. Your presentations extended far beyond fueling our success in the Hackathon—they provided transferable skills and foundational lessons that will undoubtedly serve us throughout our future careers.

It’s been such a rewarding journey with the Divergent Teams Boston Chapter! A special thank you to Chirantan Mavinahalli for the invitation to this high-impact event and for the chance to be part of this amazing community. I also want to give a huge round of applause to the organizers, judges, and volunteers. Your dedication is what made this high-energy day of tech and teamwork possible!

I recently had the opportunity to volunteer at the Divergent Hackathon in Bengaluru, and it turned out to be one of the most enriching experiences I have had so far. Being part of such a well-organized and energetic environment gave me a deeper appreciation for the effort that goes into making events like this successful.

From the very beginning, I was excited to contribute, but what I did not expect was how much I would learn along the way. Working closely with such a supportive and collaborative team made the entire experience even more meaningful. There was always someone ready to help, step in, or guide, and that sense of teamwork made a real difference.

I would like to sincerely thank Divergent Teams and Srini Ambati for giving me this opportunity. I am especially grateful to the Program Director, Bhoomi Dilip Hombaiah, for being so welcoming and supportive throughout. A big thank you as well to the entire directors’ team. Every one of you played an important role in guiding us and creating such a positive and encouraging environment. I felt genuinely welcomed throughout the event.

Getting a behind-the-scenes view of how everything works was truly eye-opening. It helped me understand how every individual contributes in their own way, and how important it is for everyone to take ownership of their role while also supporting one another. Seeing everything come together so smoothly was both inspiring and rewarding.

It was not just a learning experience, but also something I genuinely enjoyed being a part of. I look forward to many more such opportunities in the future.

We are proud to have won the Cyber Security & Digital Safety track!

A heartfelt thank you to the visionary Srini Ambati Sir , the lead organizer Bhoomi Dilip Hombaiah and Divergent Teams for creating a platform that encourages us to use our skills for the greater good. Your commitment to Seva and STEM education is a huge inspiration.

We look forward to continuing this journey of using technology to enable and empower others.

I’m still holding onto the energy and excitement from being part of the Divergent Hackathon in Bengaluru. It wasn’t just about organizing an event it was about growing, learning, and experiencing something truly meaningful.

What started as simple planning slowly turned into something much bigger. There were obstacles, quick decisions, and a lot of teamwork involved, but every moment helped us learn and improve.

I feel really thankful to have been a part of this journey.

A big thank you to Srini Ambati sir and Badari Ambati sir for always guiding us and supporting us throughout. This opportunity wouldn’t have been possible without you.

I’m especially grateful to our Program Director Bhoomi Dilip Hombaiah for being such a strong support system. Your leadership and encouragement kept everything on track and made this experience so smooth for all of us.

To my wonderful team Ananya harsha, K M Nethra, Manasvi Soumyasri, Dhawal Patel, CS Dhyan, Keerthana. Thank you for the effort, teamwork, and dedication you all put in.

Working with such motivated and inspiring people has been an amazing experience. This is definitely one of those moments I’ll always remember.

Excited for what’s ahead and hoping for many more experiences like this🎯

This journey has been truly transformative. It wasn't just about organizing an event-it was about gaining real, hands-on experience, taking responsibility, and stepping up as a leader. From planning to execution, every moment challenged me to think creatively, act pragmatically, and lead with confidence.

Through this experience, I evolved not only as a leader but also as an individual. I developed a stronger sense of responsibility, initiative, professionalism, and innovative thinking. It pushed me to become wiser, sharper, and more adaptable in dynamic situations.

I am sincerely grateful to Divergent Teams for providing such a powerful platform that empowers students to lead and create impact at scale. A special thank you to Srini Ambati and Badari Ambatti for your constant support and guidance throughout this journey.

I am really grateful to our program Director Bhoomi Dilip Hombaiah for providing such a wonderful opportunity. Your direction, guidance and support helped us throughout.

Thank you Manasvi Soumyasri, K M Nethra ,Poorvika Kumar, Dhawal Patel, CS Dhyan and Keerthana

For making this event a hit rock success.

Leading this hackathon as part of my internship has been a truly enriching and memorable experience-one that I will always value as a key milestone in my growth journey.

The Divergent Hackathon in Bengaluru was one of those.

What began as planning and coordination turned into something much bigger — fast decisions, unexpected challenges, and a kind of teamwork that pushes you beyond what you thought you could handle.

This journey wasn’t just about executing an event. It was about learning to lead, adapt, and trust the process — even when things got unpredictable.

Grateful to our Program Director, Bhoomi Dilip Hombaiah , for being the constant force behind it all. Your constant encouragement, support, and hard work has made this event successful.

A special thank you to Srini Ambati and Badari Ambatti for your guidance and support throughout.

To my incredible team Ananya harsha,Poorvika Kumar, Dhawal Patel, CS Dhyan, Manasvi Soumyasri, Keerthana . our mentors, keynote speakers, judges, and student volunteers — every contribution shaped this experience into what it became.

Some experiences stay with you. This is one of them.

This journey has been truly unforgettable — from planning to execution, every moment was filled with learning, teamwork, and growth.

I would like to sincerely thank the entire Divergent team for making this event such a huge success. A special mention to Srini Ambati for your constant support, guidance, and encouragement throughout this journey.

A big thank you to our incredible Program Director Bhoomi Dilip Hombaiah for being the backbone of this entire experience. Your positivity, kindness, and leadership made everything so smooth and memorable 🤍

And to my amazing team — Manasvi Soumyasri CS Dhyan, Ananya harsha, thank you for your hard work, coordination, and constant support. Couldn’t have done this without you all.

Grateful to have worked alongside such inspiring people. Looking forward to many more such experiences! 🚀

Grateful, proud, inspired.

What began with questions turned into a powerful, student-led initiative that brought together creativity, innovation, and collaboration. Seeing participants push boundaries, build solutions, and truly engage with the spirit of problem-solving was incredibly inspiring.

This event was especially meaningful because it was driven by students, for students — a reminder that passion and vision can create something truly impactful.

A huge thank you to my amazing team- Bhoomi Dilip Hombaiah , Ananya harsha , Keerthana . , CS Dhyan , Dhawal Patel , Poorvika Kumar and K M Nethra - for making this happen. Every late night, every detail, and every challenge we overcame together led to this proud and successful moment. I couldn’t have asked for a better group to build this with, and an even better leader, thank you Bhoomi Dilip Hombaiah for being the pillar that helped us stand tall.

A special mention to Badari Ambatti sir for your constant support — your guidance is what brought us here.

Thank you Srini Ambati sir for giving us a this opportunity.

This is one of those moments that build you for the future you dream of,

A step towards what you may become.

Here’s to many more such moments of learning, building, and creating.

I would like to sincerely appreciate the Divergent Teams for empowering student leaders with opportunities to lead and execute events of this scale. A special thank you to Srini Ambati for envisioning such a powerful initiative, and to Badari Ambatti for guiding and mentoring us throughout this journey.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to Microsoft for providing us with the venue, support, and generous swag that elevated the entire experience. I’m also grateful to Kishore Kumar Thangavelu for helping us coordinate the event seamlessly, and to Sarada Pyngas A B for the constant support across all aspects.

A big thank you to our Chief Guest, Rajesh Venkatachari, for his valuable insights, encouragement, and support. I would also like to acknowledge Kishore Nagarajan, Kartik, and the entire tech team for ensuring the smooth flow and technical execution of such a large-scale event.

I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. G K Jayram for trusting in us and supporting our vision as our principal sponsor through the Kasuri IILD Trust. Your belief in us truly made a difference. I would also like to thank our other sponsors SOACT, OSAAT, Rotary Sadashiv Nagar, Radhe Saab, and Samamiditha for their valuable support in making this event possible.

I’m deeply thankful to our keynote speakers Mr. H.E. Shashidhar, Ms. Vinitha Mariappa, Mittur Jagadish, Ph.D, and Arunangshu Basu for sharing their knowledge and inspiring all of us.

To our mentors and judges Somnath Banerjee , Dhruv Paliwal, Abhishek Patra, Poornima Prasad, Nikhila Ambati, Anand B, Sudhindra and Divya Anand , thank you for your incredible support, guidance, and dedication. Your contribution truly made a difference to every participant.

To all the participants, thank you for bringing in your creativity, passion, and energy you are what made this hackathon so special. Congratulations to all the winners for their outstanding work!

A special mention to our caterer and student volunteers your hard work behind the scenes ensured everything ran smoothly, and this event wouldn’t have been possible without you.

To my amazing team Manasvi Soumyasri, Dhawal Patel, CS Dhyan, Poorvika Kumar, Ananya harsha, Keerthana and K M Nethra working with you all has been an absolute privilege. Your dedication, resilience, and teamwork truly stood out at every step. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together, and grateful for each one of you who made this journey so memorable.

Lastly, I feel truly honored and grateful to have had the opportunity to serve as the Lead Director for this event. This experience is something I will always cherish.

Truly inspiring to witness what has been achieved through this initiative.

My sincere appreciation to Srini Ambati and Badari Ambatti for envisioning and building a platform that empowers students to lead with purpose.

A special mention to Bhoomi Dilip Hombaiah and the entire student leadership team; your ownership, organization, and execution excellence were truly impressive and reflect what young leaders can achieve when given the right platform.

It was a privilege to be part of this event as Chief Guest and witness this energy and impact firsthand.

To all participants and organizers: you are not waiting for the future-you are shaping it. Keep building, keep challenging boundaries, and keep leading.