From Rejection to Recognition: How a "Failed" Hackathon Led to Our Biggest "Win"

Two college students aimed to create a revolutionary AI-powered shopping agent. Their Bolt Hackathon entry faced numerous technical hurdles, including Supabase integration issues and API limitations. Despite a fully functional agent, a missed video submission led to rejection. However, the project impressed mentors, resulting in internship offers and investment interest. This positive feedback spurred them to enter Rise Your Hack. Balancing academics and development, they won the Llama x Groq track. Their victory included startup program acceptance, significant funding, and marketing support. The Bolt Hackathon rejection unexpectedly became a stepping stone to greater success. Their journey highlights that setbacks can pave the way for significant achievements. They now possess a validated product, strong industry connections, and resources to scale their business. Their story emphasizes persistence and the unexpected opportunities that arise from challenges.