SST× Circle of Kindness
HEALTHACON 2026
Health Innovation Lab
Innovative solutions for good health and wellbeing — a 3-day residential programme for young problem solvers aged 18–35. No degree needed. Apply alone or in a team of 2–4.
Organised by
Supported by
About the lab
Co-create practical solutions for good health and wellbeing.
HEALTHACON 2026 brings young problem solvers together to design practical, community-rooted answers to real health challenges. Organised by Circle of Kindness, COINS – Circle of Insights and The Ignite Foundation, with support from TinkerHub Foundation and Nayaneethi Policy Collective, the lab takes participants from discovering a local problem to creating and presenting a prototype.
The format
Before, during and beyond the lab
Before the lab · Online
Pre-lab training
6 hours across 3 days (2 hours a day), plus mentored work to identify a local health challenge.
Nov 12, 13 & 14 · Kollam
Residential lab
Move from community problem discovery to rapid prototyping. Teams present looks-like, works-like or made-like prototypes at the closing Solutions Festival.
After the lab
Post-lab support
Promising projects get continued mentorship, help validating pilots, and support from the wider ecosystem.
Focus theme
Social and Technological Innovation in Health
Pick the theme closest to your heart — you'll work on a real challenge from your community.
Theme 01Community-based Care
Care that starts in neighbourhoods and homes
Theme 02Lifestyle Handholding
Everyday support for healthier habits
Theme 03Mental Health & Wellbeing
Reaching people early, without stigma
Theme 04Technology & AI
Tools that make care smarter and fairer
Theme 05Environmental Oncology
Understanding how our surroundings shape cancer risk
Theme 06Social & Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC)
Messages that move people to act
Life at the lab
Learn, build and care — together
Health begins where we live
A citizen-led, prevention-first model for good health in Kerala
Kerala built one of India's strongest health systems, but the burden has shifted to chronic, lifestyle-linked and environmental illness that takes root years before anyone reaches a hospital. Kerala's next health gains will come from prevention — the air we breathe, the food we eat, the habits we keep and the communities that support us.
1 in 4
adults in Kerala has diabetes (25.5%, vs about 11% nationally).
ICMR-INDIAB, Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 2023
1 in 3+
adults aged 15–49 is overweight or obese — 38.1% of women and 36.4% of men.
NFHS-5 Kerala, 2019–21
1 in 6
men in Kerala faces a lifetime risk of cancer (to age 75); 1 in 8 women.
ICMR-NCRP, JAMA Network Open, 2025
3×
Kerala's air, the cleanest of any Indian state, is still about three times the WHO PM2.5 guideline.
GBD 2019, Lancet Planetary Health; WHO AQG 2021
Nalla Swasam — community evidence
“Good breath”: measured awareness sessions with before-and-after surveys and lung function testing across wards, schools, workplaces and hospitals in Kollam — about 20 sessions so far, with a target of 100 in a year.
HEALTHACON Lab — youth innovation
12–14 November. Young people aged 18–35 move from community problem discovery to working prototypes, mentored by doctors, technologists and policy experts. The best ideas receive up to ₹2.5 lakh seed funding and pilot support.
HEALTHACON Conclave — dialogue
14 November, 3:00–6:00 PM at The Leela Ashtamudi, Kollam: the inauguration, evidence from Nalla Swasam, a solutions-focused panel on the air we breathe, and the Solutions Festival.
Listen, learn, build, scale. We started with air — we will not stop there.
Who should apply
Changemakers with genuine commitment
- Applicants from Kerala who understand Kerala's health context and are ready to implement their solutions in Kerala.
- Aged 18 to 35 — young problem solvers, healthcare enthusiasts, social workers, designers, technologists and grassroots changemakers.
- No degree or technical background needed. Genuine commitment matters more than formal qualifications.
- Women, gender minorities and applicants from underserved communities are encouraged to apply.
- Apply as an individual or as a team of 2–4 members. Individuals can also form teams during the lab.
- Applications are accepted in English or Malayalam.
- The hackathon is fully funded, with seed funding of up to ₹2.5 lakh to implement the best solutions.
- Travel support is available on need basis for deserving candidates.
Apply
Application form
Two short steps — about 5 minutes. Save after step 1 and finish later if you like.
Priority deadline for applications: 5 November, 11:59 pm
Any queries? Email contact.healthacon@gmail.com or call +91 79071 23921.
Step 1 of 2
Your details
Just the basics so we can reach you. You can finish the rest now or later.
We invite applicants from Kerala. E.g., Kollam, Kerala
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply?
Anyone aged 18 to 35 from Kerala who understands Kerala's health context and is ready to implement their solution in Kerala. No degree or technical background is needed.
Do I need a medical or technical background?
No. Students, designers, technologists, social workers, health enthusiasts and grassroots changemakers are all welcome. Genuine commitment matters more than formal qualifications.
When and where is HEALTHACON 2026?
The Innovation Lab runs 12–14 November 2026 in Kollam, Kerala. The Conclave and Solutions Festival are on 14 November, 3:00–6:00 PM at The Leela Ashtamudi, Kollam.
Is there a fee?
No. The hackathon is fully funded. Travel support is available on a need basis for deserving candidates.
What do winning teams receive?
The best ideas receive seed funding of up to ₹2.5 lakh and support toward pilots, so solutions can be implemented in Kerala's communities.
Can I apply as a team?
Yes — apply alone or as a team of 2–4. Individuals can also form teams during the lab.
What are the themes?
Community-based Care, Lifestyle Handholding, Mental Health & Wellbeing, Technology & AI, Environmental Oncology, and Social & Behaviour Change Communication.
What is the deadline?
The priority deadline is 5 November, 11:59 pm. You can save your application after step 1 and finish it later.
Who organises HEALTHACON?
It is led by Circle of Kindness (COINS – Circle of Insights), a nonprofit of doctors and professionals in Kollam, with The Ignite Foundation, and supported by TinkerHub Foundation and Nayaneethi Policy Collective.
For any queries
Questions about the lab?
Ask us anything about the programme, eligibility, travel or your application — email us or give us a call.