AlgoVerse'26 — ₹46,000 Hackathon for Students on Agentic Payments
Hybrid Algorand hackathon for Indian students: build x402 payment solutions, compete for a ₹46,000 prize pool.
- Funding amount
- ₹46,000 (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closes in 4d (5 Aug 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
AlgoVerse'26 is a hybrid hackathon focused on building agentic payment solutions using the x402 protocol on the Algorand blockchain. Organised by Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Engineering, Pune, in collaboration with the AlgoBharat team, the event challenges participants to create working x402 endpoints, demonstrate complete payment flows, and pitch real-world business models.
Open to all students across India, from any college, specialization, or department, the hackathon welcomes inter-college and inter-department teams of 1 to 4 members. Whether you are a blockchain developer, a web3 enthusiast, or a product-minded builder, this is your chance to innovate in the emerging field of pay-per-use AI and compute services.
Seven problem statements are offered under the Agentic Payments (x402) theme: Pay-Per-Use AI Services Marketplace, Voice to Slide Deck Node, Pay-Per-Compute GPU Marketplace, Atomic Multi-Agent Service Router, Payment Logging & Audit Infrastructure, SLM-Powered Code Optimizer, and Open Innovation — Build the Future of Web3. Teams pick one to build around.
The hackathon runs in three phases: registrations (23rd July – 5th August), idea submission and shortlisting (23rd July – 10th August), and the final on-campus hacking round on 12th August. A mandatory pre-hackathon workshop covers Algorand fundamentals, AlgoKit setup, and x402 architecture.
Judging will consider technical implementation, innovation, real-world impact, completeness and functionality, presentation quality, and alignment with the x402 Agentic Payments theme. Faculty judges and an AlgoBharat team representative jointly select the winners.
Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Engineering, Pune, is a well-known engineering institution in Maharashtra, and the event is supported by AlgoBharat, the Indian community arm of the Algorand Foundation promoting blockchain education and development.
Highlights
- Hybrid Algorand hackathon for Indian students
- Up to ₹46,000 prize pool ($500)
- Build with x402 for agentic payments
- Three phases: registration, idea, final demo
- Mandatory onboarding workshop included
- Seven problem statements to choose from
Who can apply
Open to all students across India, from any college, specialization, or department. Team size: 1 to 4 members. Inter-college and inter-department teams are allowed.
No prior blockchain experience is required — the onboarding workshop sets you up. Registration is initially free; teams selected for the final round pay a ₹300 per team fee.
Deadline reminder: Register by 5th August 2026.
AlgoVerse'26 — ₹46,000 Hackathon for Students on Agentic Payments 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
Applications for AlgoVerse'26 — ₹46,000 Hackathon for Students on Agentic Payments are open and the current deadline is Closes in 4d (5 Aug 2026). Applications are closing soon, so prepare your documents early. Deadlines can change — always reconfirm on the official source before submitting.
What the funding covers
Top three prizes (paid in USD):
- 1st Place: $200
- 2nd Place: $120
- 3rd Place: $80
Total prize pool: $500 / ₹46,000 (approx.).
The prizes are cash rewards for winning projects; they do not take equity. The competition also offers mentorship during the build phase and the chance to present to faculty and AlgoBharat judges.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the official portal. Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
- Registration (23rd July – 5th August, initial stages run till 12th August for later entrants): team registers on the Unstop page.
- Idea Submission (23rd July – 10th August): teams submit their project idea; shortlisting happens based on that pitch.
- Shortlisting & Mentorship: finalists are selected, get mentor support, and join an Algo Guide progress review session.
- Final Round (12th August, on-campus): a 12-hour building day from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, starting with a mandatory onboarding workshop covering Algorand basics, AlgoKit, and x402. Teams then deliver live demos and pitches.
- Judging & Selection: projects are evaluated on technical implementation, innovation, real-world impact, completeness/functionality, presentation quality, and alignment with the x402 theme by faculty judges and an AlgoBharat representative.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to AlgoVerse'26 — ₹46,000 Hackathon for Students on Agentic Payments, 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.
Who this is best for
AlgoVerse'26 — ₹46,000 Hackathon for Students on Agentic Payments is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹46,000. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding or prize money is offered?
The total prize pool is ₹46,000 (approximately $500), split as $200 for 1st place, $120 for 2nd, and $80 for 3rd.
What is the application deadline?
Registration closes on 5th August 2026. Teams must also submit their idea by 10th August 2026 to be considered.
Who can apply?
Any student currently enrolled in an Indian college or university, from any specialisation or department. There is no restriction on background or experience.
Can I form a team with students from different colleges?
Yes. Inter-college and inter-department teams are allowed, and the team size can range from 1 to 4 members.
Does the program take equity or charge any fees?
The prizes are cash and require no equity. Registration is initially free, but teams that make it to the final round pay a ₹300 per team fee.
Do I need to know blockchain or Algorand before applying?
No. A mandatory pre-hackathon onboarding workshop covers Algorand fundamentals, AlgoKit setup, and the x402 architecture. It is designed to get participants up to speed.
Can I choose my own project theme?
There are seven problem statements under the Agentic Payments (x402) theme, including an 'Open Innovation' track, but teams must build around one of them. You cannot propose an entirely separate theme.
How do I apply and where?
Apply via the official Unstop page linked on the startupfunds.in listing. Follow the instructions there to complete registration by the deadline.
What exactly will I be building?
You will build a working x402 endpoint, demonstrate a complete payment flow, and present a viable business model. The focus is on pay-per-use AI and compute services, so your project should which illustrate that concept.
Is DPIIT recognition required for AlgoVerse'26 — ₹46,000 Hackathon for Students on Agentic Payments?
No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for AlgoVerse'26 — ₹46,000 Hackathon for Students on Agentic Payments, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.
Alternatives to AlgoVerse'26 — ₹46,000 Hackathon for Students on Agentic Payments
Not sure AlgoVerse'26 — ₹46,000 Hackathon for Students on Agentic Payments is the right fit, or already applied? These are other grants open to Indian startups that founders shortlist alongside it.
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