CALL-E Hackathon — Up to ₹9.2L Prize Pool for AI Builders
CALL-E is a worldwide, fully online hackathon on Devpost with a prize pool worth ₹9,20,000, inviting developers, designers and founders to build communication, enterprise and machine learning/AI projects by 14 September 2026.
- Funding amount
- ₹9.2L (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (14 Sept 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
CALL-E is a fully virtual hackathon that challenges builders to move the needle on how people talk to each other and how businesses get work done. It is organised by CALL-E and hosted on Devpost, the platform widely used for online coding contests and developer challenges.
The contest is built around three themes: communication, enterprise, and machine learning/AI. Entrants pick the theme that fits their idea and ship a working project inside the build window.
Anyone, anywhere can take part. There are no geographical limits, no age or residency conditions, and no institutional bar — you can enter on your own or put together a team. Students, working engineers, designers, startup founders and weekend hobbyists are all explicitly welcome, as long as they want to build with AI and communication technology.
The build period opens on 23 July 2026 and closes on 14 September 2026. Because everything happens online, participants in any timezone can work at whatever pace suits them. Registration and project submission both shut on 14 September 2026.
A total prize pool of ₹9,20,000 is on the table for the best entries. The organisers have not published a rank-by-rank breakdown, so the pool is shared among the strongest submissions rather than fixed in advance for each position.
Highlights
- Fully online hackathon hosted on Devpost, open to participants in every country.
- Total prize pool of ₹9,20,000 (up to ₹9.2L), shared among the top submissions.
- Build window runs from 23 July 2026 to 14 September 2026.
- Three tracks: communication, enterprise, and machine learning/AI.
- Enter solo or as a team — students, developers, designers and founders all qualify.
- Judged on creativity, impact, technical execution and theme relevance.
Who can apply
CALL-E is open to individuals and teams from anywhere in the world. The organisers state that there are no geographical limits on participation.
- Solo entrants and multi-person teams are both accepted.
- No age, residency or institutional conditions are mentioned anywhere in the rules.
- Students, professional developers, designers, startup founders and hobbyists are all invited to apply.
- Entrants do not need DPIIT recognition, MSME registration or an Indian-registered company — this is a global contest, not a country-specific scheme.
If you can build something using AI or communication technology, you meet the stated criteria.
CALL-E Hackathon — Up to ₹9.2L Prize Pool for AI Builders 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 CALL-E Hackathon — Up to ₹9.2L Prize Pool for AI Builders closed on 14 Sept 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
The hackathon carries a total prize pool of ₹9,20,000, paid out as cash prizes.
- The pool is distributed among the top submissions.
- No breakdown by rank or by track has been published, so the exact sum any single winner receives is not fixed in advance.
- Winners are announced after the judging period ends.
- Prizes are awards rather than investment — the programme does not take equity, and there is no repayment or revenue share involved.
- Alongside the cash, every entrant finishes with a judged, portfolio-ready project built against a real brief.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
CALL-E does not run a multi-round funnel, and no interview, pitch or accelerator stage is mentioned. Entries are assessed by judges against four stated criteria:
- Creativity — how original the idea and the approach are.
- Impact — the difference the solution could make in the real world.
- Technical execution — how well the project is actually built.
- Relevance to the themes — how closely it fits communication, enterprise, or machine learning/AI.
Once judging wraps up, winners are announced. Entrants simply register and submit their project before the closing date of 14 September 2026.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to CALL-E Hackathon — Up to ₹9.2L Prize Pool for AI Builders, 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
CALL-E Hackathon — Up to ₹9.2L Prize Pool for AI Builders is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹9.2L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How much prize money does CALL-E offer?
The total prize pool is ₹9,20,000. It is shared among the top submissions, and the organisers have not published a breakdown by rank or by track, so the amount an individual winner takes home depends on where the judges place their project.
When does the hackathon run and when is the deadline?
The competition runs from 23 July 2026 to 14 September 2026. The registration and submission deadline is 14 September 2026, so your project has to be in before that date.
Who is eligible to participate?
Anyone. CALL-E is open to individuals and teams worldwide, with no geographical limits. No age, residency or institutional restrictions are mentioned, and you can enter either on your own or with a team.
Do I need DPIIT recognition or MSME registration to apply?
No. Those are requirements attached to Indian government funding schemes, and they do not apply here. CALL-E is a global online hackathon, so there is no DPIIT, MSME or Indian company registration condition.
Can I enter as a team, or do I have to apply alone?
Both are allowed. Participants can work solo or join a team — the rules do not restrict team size or composition, as long as every member follows the submission requirements.
What kind of projects is the hackathon looking for?
There are three themes. Communication covers tools that change how people connect through voice, video, text or new interfaces. Enterprise covers solutions that improve business workflows, productivity or collaboration. Machine learning/AI covers intelligent features, automation and predictive systems.
How are the submissions judged?
Entries are scored on creativity, impact, technical execution and how relevant they are to the chosen theme. There are no interview rounds or pitch stages — the judging is done on the submitted project, and winners are announced after the judging period.
Does CALL-E take equity or a stake in my project?
No. CALL-E is a competition with a cash prize pool, not an investor or an incubator. There is no mention of equity, a stake, repayment or a revenue share attached to the prizes.
How and where do I apply?
You register and submit your project through the official Devpost page at https://call-e.devpost.com/. Make sure your entry is submitted before the 14 September 2026 deadline.
Is there any entry fee?
No entry fee is mentioned in the programme details. Participation is free for individuals and teams from any country.
How do I apply for CALL-E Hackathon — Up to ₹9.2L Prize Pool for AI Builders?
Apply directly through the official application link on this page. Review the eligibility criteria and prepare your startup documents before you begin.
Alternatives to CALL-E Hackathon — Up to ₹9.2L Prize Pool for AI Builders
Not sure CALL-E Hackathon — Up to ₹9.2L Prize Pool for AI Builders is the right fit, or already applied? These are other grants open to Indian startups that founders shortlist alongside it.
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