Brainwave
A virtual hackathon by ACT House with a ₹93,000 prize pool, open to global participants including Indian teams.
- Funding amount
- ₹90,000 (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (30 Jun 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
Brainwave is a virtual hackathon organised by ACT House, offering a total prize pool of ₹93,000. The event is hosted on Devpost and invites participants to build innovative solutions in areas such as AR/VR, blockchain, and communication. The hackathon runs from June 12 to June 30, 2026, and is fully online, allowing remote participation from anywhere in the world. It is open to individual developers, designers, and innovators as well as teams, with no explicit eligibility restrictions mentioned. Indian participants are explicitly welcome. Submissions are evaluated based on creativity, technical execution, and impact. This is a competition-style funding where winners receive cash prizes from the prize pool; the program does not take any equity.
Highlights
- Total prize pool of ₹93,000
- Open to global participants, including Indian teams
- Fully virtual hackathon hosted on Devpost
- Themes include AR/VR, blockchain, and communication
- Runs from June 12 to June 30, 2026
- No equity taken
Who can apply
The program is open to all participants globally. There are no specific eligibility restrictions regarding stage, sector, state, entity type, or founder requirements. Individuals and teams from India are welcome. No team size restrictions have been mentioned.
Brainwave 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 Brainwave closed on 30 Jun 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
The total prize pool is ₹93,000. No further breakdown by rank is provided. Participants compete for cash prizes based on their project submissions.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Brainwave, 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
Brainwave is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹90,000. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What is the total prize pool for Brainwave?
The total prize pool is ₹93,000.
What is the application deadline?
The registration deadline is June 30, 2026.
Who can apply for Brainwave?
The hackathon is open to all participants globally. There are no specific eligibility restrictions; Indian teams and individuals are welcome.
Is the hackathon online or in-person?
It is a fully virtual hackathon, allowing remote participation from anywhere.
What themes can I work on?
The themes include AR/VR, blockchain, and communication technologies.
Does Brainwave take equity?
No, this is a prize-based competition and does not take any equity.
How do I apply?
You can register via the Devpost page at https://brainwaves.devpost.com/.
Are there any team size restrictions?
No specific team size restrictions have been mentioned.
When does the hackathon start and end?
The hackathon runs from June 12 to June 30, 2026.
How much funding does Brainwave provide?
Brainwave provides ₹90,000 (up to) as competition. Always confirm the exact amount and any conditions on the official site, as figures can change between cohorts.
Is DPIIT recognition required for Brainwave?
No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for Brainwave, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.
Alternatives to Brainwave
Not sure Brainwave is the right fit, or already applied? These are other grants open to Indian startups that founders shortlist alongside it.
Questions from founders
Ask anything about eligibility, documents or the process — answered by the community.
No questions yet — be the first to ask.