AI Hack Day — 11-Hour Online AI Hackathon by Vel Tech and MLH
An 11-hour online AI hackathon hosted by Vel Tech R&D Institute together with Major League Hacking, open to solo builders and teams of two, with certificates, MLH swag and Google Swag Kits for the best projects.
- Funding amount
- Varies by program
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology (Academic)
- Application deadline
- Closed (22 Apr 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
AI Hack Day is an online artificial intelligence hackathon hosted by Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology, run together with Major League Hacking (MLH). Rather than stretching across months, it squeezes an entire build cycle into one day: teams get 11 hours to take an AI idea from concept to something they can demo.
The event takes place on April 25, 2026, running from 5:00 PM to 4:00 AM IST, and is held fully online. Registration shuts on April 22, 2026, just a few days before the build window opens.
The theme is deliberately wide open. Participants can work on chatbots, productivity tools, automation systems, developer tools, or any other AI-driven idea that is creative and useful. Judging looks at the strength of the idea alongside how well it is executed, which keeps the hackathon approachable for students making their first AI build as well as for experienced developers.
There is no geographic restriction, so participation from India is fully allowed, and solo entrants compete on the same terms as two-person teams. Winners are recognised with certificates along with MLH swag, and the three best projects also take home Google Swag Kits.
Highlights
- 11-hour online AI hackathon on April 25, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 4:00 AM IST
- Hosted by Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology with Major League Hacking
- Registration closes on April 22, 2026
- Open to developers, students and builders worldwide, including India, with no geographic restriction
- Enter solo or with one teammate — teams can have a maximum of 2 members
- Prizes are non-cash: certificates and MLH swag, plus Google Swag Kits for the top three projects
Who can apply
Eligibility for AI Hack Day is deliberately broad. It is open to developers, students and builders, with no stated restriction on profession, experience level or location — participants from India take part on the same footing as anyone else in the world.
- Individual or team entry: register solo or form a team of 1–2 members, so one teammate is the maximum.
- Geography: no explicit geographic restriction; the event is completely online.
- Who it suits: anyone keen to build AI-powered projects, from first-time student hackers to working developers.
- Stage or sector limits: none were specified, and the eligibility criteria do not include a DPIIT or MSME registration requirement.
AI Hack Day — 11-Hour Online AI Hackathon by Vel Tech and MLH is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Deadline & timing
The most recent application window for AI Hack Day — 11-Hour Online AI Hackathon by Vel Tech and MLH closed on 22 Apr 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
AI Hack Day is a competition rather than a funding scheme, and the rewards on offer are non-cash:
- Official certificates for the top projects.
- Exclusive MLH swag for winning participants.
- Google Swag Kits for the three best projects, on top of the certificates and swag.
The prize value is listed as varying because no fixed cash award is attached. What participants walk away with is recognition for what they built, branded merchandise, and a working AI project they can carry forward and keep developing.
About the provider
AI Hack Day — 11-Hour Online AI Hackathon by Vel Tech and MLH is offered by Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology, an academic institution. It is delivered directly by Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology as a competition. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
AI Hack Day does not use a multi-round screening funnel. Once registration closes on April 22, 2026, everyone who signed up joins the build on April 25, 2026 and works through the 11-hour window from 5:00 PM to 4:00 AM IST.
- Register: complete your registration before the April 22 deadline.
- Build: use the 11-hour event window to develop your AI project.
- Submit: provide a project description, a GitHub repo link, and a demo video or screenshots.
- Judging: entries are assessed on innovation, technical implementation and the overall idea.
- Recognition: top projects earn certificates and MLH swag, while the best three also receive Google Swag Kits.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to AI Hack Day — 11-Hour Online AI Hackathon by Vel Tech and MLH, keep the following documents ready:
- A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
- Company registration documents and PAN
- Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
- Recent financial statements or projections
- Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available
Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is AI Hack Day?
It is an online AI hackathon hosted by Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology, run together with Major League Hacking (MLH). Participants get 11 continuous hours to build an AI-powered project and submit it for judging. It is open to developers, students and builders anywhere in the world.
Who is eligible to participate?
Anyone who wants to build with AI can take part — developers, students and builders are all welcome, and there is no stated restriction based on location or experience level. Participants from India are explicitly part of the audience the event is open to.
When does registration close, and when does the hackathon run?
Registration closes on April 22, 2026. The hackathon itself runs on April 25, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 4:00 AM IST, which works out to 11 hours of build time.
Can I enter on my own, or do I need a team?
Either route works. You can register as an individual, or enter as a team of 1–2 members, meaning a maximum of one teammate. Solo builders are not disadvantaged by the format.
What kind of project should I build?
The theme is artificial intelligence, and it is intentionally open. Participants are encouraged to explore applications such as chatbots, productivity tools, automation systems and developer tools, but any creative and useful AI-driven idea fits the brief.
What do winners receive?
Top projects are recognised with official certificates and exclusive MLH swag. The three best projects additionally receive Google Swag Kits. The rewards are non-cash — the value lies in recognition and branded merchandise rather than money.
Is there a cash prize, and does the hackathon take equity?
No. The reward structure described is entirely non-cash: certificates, MLH swag, and Google Swag Kits for the top three projects. There is no cash award and no equity or investment component attached to taking part.
How are projects judged, and what do I need to submit?
Your submission must include a project description, a link to your GitHub repository, and a demo video or screenshots. Judges evaluate entries on innovation, technical implementation and the overall idea.
How do I apply, and where can I follow updates?
Registration is done through the official application link on Unstop. There is also an official Discord channel where participants can follow real-time updates and engage with the community before and during the event.
Do I need DPIIT or MSME registration to take part?
No. AI Hack Day is open to all developers, students and builders, and the eligibility criteria do not include any DPIIT or MSME registration requirement.
What is the application deadline for AI Hack Day — 11-Hour Online AI Hackathon by Vel Tech and MLH?
The application deadline for AI Hack Day — 11-Hour Online AI Hackathon by Vel Tech and MLH is Closed (22 Apr 2026). Deadlines can be revised, so reconfirm on the official source before applying.
Who offers AI Hack Day — 11-Hour Online AI Hackathon by Vel Tech and MLH?
AI Hack Day — 11-Hour Online AI Hackathon by Vel Tech and MLH is offered by Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology, an academic institution. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.
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