Edge AI Hackathon 2026 — ₹45,000 Prize Pool for Hardware Teams
A national hardware hackathon run by IEEE EDS PMEC for B.Tech, M.Tech and Ph.D. students, with a ₹45,000 prize pool across FPGA, Raspberry Pi/Renesas and ESP32/Arduino tracks. Teams of 3–5 register by 15 August 2026.
- Funding amount
- ₹45,000 (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (15 Aug 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
The Edge AI Hackathon 2026 is a national hardware innovation competition for students, hosted at Parala Maharaja Engineering College in Berhampur, Odisha. It is run by the IEEE EDS Student Branch Chapter along with the IEEE Council on Electronics Design & Automation PMEC.
The challenge asks teams to build working Edge AI and embedded systems that operate in real time, using FPGA boards, Raspberry Pi or Renesas kits, and ESP32 or Arduino microcontrollers. This is not a purely theoretical exercise — teams are expected to show functioning hardware, which is why the organisers supply development boards to participants.
Three hardware tracks
- FPGA track — solutions designed and built on FPGA platforms. Prize: ₹20,000.
- Raspberry Pi / Renesas Kit track — applications running on Raspberry Pi or Renesas development boards. Prize: ₹15,000.
- ESP32 / Arduino track — embedded systems built with ESP32 or Arduino. Prize: ₹10,000.
Across the three tracks the combined cash prize pool is ₹45,000, and every winning team also receives certificates.
Problem domains
Each team picks one official problem statement and builds within domains such as Communication Systems, Biomedical Engineering, Image and Signal Processing, Processor Design, Defence and Security, and Indian Knowledge Systems.
Format
The hackathon runs over three rounds, moving from an online abstract to a simulation stage and finally to on-site hardware demonstration at the Berhampur campus.
Rules to note
- Entries must be original work; any plagiarism means disqualification.
- A team works on a single official problem statement.
- Development boards come from the organisers, while teams bring their own sensors and peripherals where needed.
- Judging decisions by the panel and the organising committee are final.
Registration closes on 15 August 2026. The fee is ₹1,200 per participant, reduced to ₹1,000 for IEEE members, and free hostel accommodation is arranged for participants.
Highlights
- National-level hardware hackathon for B.Tech, M.Tech and Ph.D. students
- ₹45,000 total cash prize pool: ₹20,000 FPGA, ₹15,000 Raspberry Pi/Renesas, ₹10,000 ESP32/Arduino
- Teams of 3–5 members from the same institute; inter-department teams welcome
- Three rounds: online abstract, online simulation, then on-site hardware demo in Berhampur, Odisha
- Registration closes 15 August 2026 — ₹1,200 per participant, ₹1,000 for IEEE members
- Development boards supplied by organisers; free hostel accommodation for participants
Who can apply
This hackathon is open to students, not to companies or independent founders.
- Student status: B.Tech, M.Tech and Ph.D. students are eligible.
- Institute: Any Indian institute — there is no restriction to one college or one state.
- Team size: 3 to 5 members per team.
- Same institute: Every member of a team must belong to the same institute.
- Team mix: Inter-department and inter-specialisation teams are allowed, so members do not have to come from the same branch.
No DPIIT recognition or MSME registration is required. Eligibility rests on your enrolment as a student and on your team's composition.
Edge AI Hackathon 2026 — ₹45,000 Prize Pool for Hardware Teams 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 Edge AI Hackathon 2026 — ₹45,000 Prize Pool for Hardware Teams closed on 15 Aug 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
This is a prize competition rather than a grant or an investment, so the money reaches teams as cash awards instead of a funding tranche.
- Total cash prize pool: ₹45,000, split across the three hardware tracks.
- FPGA track: ₹20,000.
- Raspberry Pi / Renesas Kit track: ₹15,000.
- ESP32 / Arduino track: ₹10,000.
- Certificates: All winners receive certificates.
Beyond prize money, teams get practical support:
- Development boards are supplied by the organisers for the build.
- Free hostel accommodation is provided for participants during the event.
There is a cost to take part: registration is ₹1,200 per participant, or ₹1,000 for IEEE members.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
The hackathon is decided over three progressive rounds rather than a single submission.
- Round 0 — Online abstract submission: Teams send in their abstract online to enter.
- Round 1 — Online software simulation: Entries that clear the first stage move to a simulation round conducted online.
- Round 2 — On-site hardware implementation: Teams build their hardware, give a live demonstration and make their final pitch on the Berhampur campus of Parala Maharaja Engineering College in Odisha.
All work must be original — any plagiarism leads to disqualification. Every team has to choose one official problem statement, and the verdict of the judges and the organising committee is final.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Edge AI Hackathon 2026 — ₹45,000 Prize Pool for Hardware Teams, 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
Edge AI Hackathon 2026 — ₹45,000 Prize Pool for Hardware Teams is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹45,000. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How much prize money does the Edge AI Hackathon 2026 offer?
The total cash prize pool is ₹45,000, divided across three hardware tracks. The FPGA track carries ₹20,000, the Raspberry Pi / Renesas Kit track carries ₹15,000, and the ESP32 / Arduino track carries ₹10,000. Winners in each track also receive certificates.
Who is eligible to participate?
The hackathon is open to B.Tech, M.Tech and Ph.D. students studying at any Indian institute. You enter as a team of 3 to 5 members, and every member must belong to the same institute. Inter-department and inter-specialisation teams are permitted, so your teammates do not have to be from your branch.
What is the application deadline?
Registration closes on 15 August 2026. Teams should complete their registration on the official Unstop listing before that date.
Is there a registration fee?
Yes. The fee is ₹1,200 per participant, and it is reduced to ₹1,000 per participant for IEEE members. Free hostel accommodation is provided for participants.
Does the hackathon take equity in my project or startup?
No. This is a competition with cash prizes, not an investment, so no equity or ownership stake is taken in exchange for the award money.
Do I need DPIIT recognition or MSME registration to apply?
No. This is a student hardware competition rather than a government startup scheme, so DPIIT recognition and MSME registration are not part of the entry requirements. Eligibility depends on your student status and your team's composition.
What are the rounds and where are they held?
There are three rounds. Round 0 is an online abstract submission. Round 1 is an online software simulation. Round 2 is the on-site stage, where teams implement their hardware, demonstrate it live and give a final presentation at Parala Maharaja Engineering College in Berhampur, Odisha. Development boards are provided by the organisers, while teams must bring their own sensors and peripherals if required.
Which problem domains can teams choose from?
Teams pick one official problem statement from domains including Communication Systems, Biomedical Engineering, Image and Signal Processing, Processor Design, Defence and Security, and Indian Knowledge Systems. Each team must settle on a single official problem statement.
Can we submit a project we have already worked on elsewhere?
Every project submitted must be original. Plagiarism leads directly to disqualification, and the decision of the judges and the organising committee is final.
How do I apply for the Edge AI Hackathon 2026?
Applications are made through the official Unstop page for the hackathon: https://unstop.com/hackathons/edge-ai-hackathon-2026-parala-maharaja-engineering-college-berhampur-1720578. Register your team there before 15 August 2026 and complete the Round 0 abstract submission.
Alternatives to Edge AI Hackathon 2026 — ₹45,000 Prize Pool for Hardware Teams
Not sure Edge AI Hackathon 2026 — ₹45,000 Prize Pool for Hardware Teams 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.