800 employees, 215 teams, 3 days: Razorpay employees battle it out in HACK:O(n) 2024

Razorpay recently concluded its 9th edition of HACK:O(n), a one-of-a-kind company-wide hackathon designed to cultivate a spirit of innovation and collaboration amongst its employees. Obsessed with the growth of their customers, Razorpay’s ideology has always been central to building value for what their customers truly want by identifying problem statements and innovating solutions ahead of time. HACK:O(n) provides a platform for employees to translate this commitment into tangible solutions.

While traditional hackathons often focus solely on tech, Razorpay’s HACK:O(n) emphases on tech & cross-functional collaboration. Bringing together folks from non-tech teams also, like sales, marketing, finance, and operations, this year’s three-day event once again fostered a high-energy environment for innovation. Razorpay HACK:O(n) offers a unique platform for its employees to break free from daily routines and unleash their creative potential. Amidst the constant churn of the modern workplace, teams often find themselves immersed in day-to-day operations, limiting opportunities for radical innovation. For three intense days, employees experiment with new ideas and push the limits of what's possible.

HACK:O(n) prioritises the development of not just innovative ideas but also practical solutions that can be brought to life. This year, teams were judged on three key criteria: innovation, potential impact on the business and customers, and, crucially, the ability to transform their ideas into tangible results. The hackathon emphasizes the feasibility of implementation, ensuring that innovative concepts can be turned into reality. This focus on turning concepts into reality is exemplified by the success of Razorpay Ray, which originated as a hackathon project and is now a fully-fledged product that was launched at the company’s flagship event, ‘Razorpay FTX’.

The hackathon offered substantial rewards to recognise outstanding contributions. The winning teams received a cash prize of Rs 1,25,000 and Rs 5 lakh worth of ESOPs. The first runners-up in both categories were awarded Rs 75,000 cash and Rs 3 lakh worth of ESOPs, while the second runners-up received Rs 50,000 cash and Rs 2 lakh worth of ESOPs. But the incentives didn't stop there. Razorpay leaders introduced over 50 bounty challenges, each offering unique rewards for innovative solutions to specific business problems. These rewards ranged from substantial cash prizes to international travel experiences, such as round-trip tickets to Sri Lanka. This approach not only encouraged creative problem-solving but also strengthened the connection between employees and leadership.

"HACK:O(n) is where our employees innovate the future of fintech. Through collaboration and creative thinking, we empower our teams to develop solutions that truly resonate with our customers and drive our business forward. The extraordinary solutions generated at this year's HACK:O(n) are a clear indicator of the immense talent and potential within our organisation," said Chetty Arun, Culture Head, Razorpay.

The record-breaking participation of over 800 Razorpay employees across 215 teams highlighted the company's commitment to fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment. On the final day of HACK:O(n), the teams presented functional product demos, showcasing the dedication and talent within the Razorpay workforce.

HACK:O(n) is part of Razorpay's efforts to cultivate a culture of innovation and collaboration. The company believes such opportunities allows its employees to build products and solutions that address real-world challenges, encouraging a sense of ownership and purpose in their work.