Meet Bineet Sharma — a seasoned tech professional, Silicon Valley veteran, startup founder, and now, the Workshop Lead for this year’s hackathon. He’s also the Chair and Instructor for the Computer Programming Certificate Program at UCSC Silicon Valley Extension. But titles aside, it’s his journey that really leaves you inspired.
🚜 From Tilled Fields to Tech Labs
“I’m a farmer at heart,” Bineet begins.
And he means it. Born and raised in the Terai region of Nepal, Bineet grew up surrounded by farmland and six siblings. But even as a child, he felt pulled toward science — especially math.
That pull took him to Kathmandu, then to the Indian School of Mines (now an IIT), and eventually to the U.S. to pursue mining engineering. But when he landed in the U.S. in 1985, something else caught his attention — computer science.
“I realized I could switch paths here,” he says.
And he did — diving headfirst into coding, earning his Master’s, and never looking back.
💻 The Silicon Valley Bug (and Burnout)
If you’ve ever visited Silicon Valley, you know: the startup energy is contagious. Bineet felt it too. After working his way up from programmer to director in the corporate world, he launched his own startup — a technical stock market analysis tool, years before fintech exploded.
But then came the 2008 crash.
“We crashed and burned too,” he says with a laugh.
But through that journey, he rediscovered something else: teaching.
📚 Why He’s a Teacher First (and Forever)
Bineet taught his first class while still in grad school — and that spark never left. Even while climbing the corporate ladder, he always found time to teach evenings or weekends.
“Teaching keeps me sharp,” he explains. “In the corporate world, you go deep in one thing. But when you teach, you stay broad — and you listen more.”
That passion led him to UCSC Extension, where today, he helps shape industry-relevant curriculum — making sure students are learning what’s actually needed in the tech world, especially in fast-changing areas like AI.
🤝 Why He Said Yes to the Hackathon
So what made someone with decades of experience say yes to leading a workshop for a student-run hackathon?
“It’s simple — I believe in giving back… and when I spoke with the team, I saw passion, organization, and energy that reminded me why I do this.”
For him, it’s about helping the Nepali community grow stronger — one learner, one mentor, one workshop at a time.
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🛠 What to Expect from His Workshop
Bineet’s approach is clear: big-picture thinking + practical inspiration.
He’ll walk participants through:
What’s happening in AI right now
The tools, libraries, and models available
Real-life AI project examples to spark ideas
But more than that, he hopes to ignite curiosity.
“I’m not here to tell them what to build. I want to give them enough sparks so they can light their own fire.”
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💡 Advice to New Hackers: Be Open, Be Calm, Be Creative
To all the first-time hackers reading this, Bineet’s message is simple:
Come with an open mind. Don’t judge ideas too early. Creativity dies in the face of bias.
Start small. Even mini-hackathons at home can build your confidence.
Stay calm. “Don’t let nerves shut down your creativity,” he says. “Take a coffee break. Just not too much!”