GatewayHacks 2026: Global Software & AI Hackathon, ₹10.8L Prize Pool — Frequently Asked Questions

The total prize pool is $11,685, which the organisers peg at approximately ₹10,75,020 — up to ₹10.8L. That pool is not handed to one winner: it is distributed across multiple winning projects, with prizes for overall excellence as well as category-specific achievements.

Submissions close on 2 October 2026. Registration is also free and stays open until that same date, and the build window itself runs from 1 September to 2 October 2026.

Basically anyone, anywhere. The hackathon is open to participants from all countries with no geographic restrictions, and there are no age or experience requirements. Students, professionals, hobbyists and first-time hackers are all welcome.

Both work. Teams can be of any size, and solo participants are explicitly welcome, so you can take part on your own if you prefer.

Projects should sit within the hackathon's two themes, Software and AI, and are expected to address real-world problems. The strongest fit is work with a social-good angle — areas such as education, healthcare, sustainability and community welfare are called out as examples.

Yes. The event is deliberately beginner-friendly and is positioned as an entry point for students and early-career developers who want hands-on experience and a portfolio project. No prior hackathon record or specialist skill level is required.

No. This is a hackathon competition with cash prizes, not an investment programme — the organisers describe no equity, ownership stake or repayment obligation attached to participating or winning.

No. GatewayHacks 2026 is a global online hackathon open to individual builders and teams rather than registered companies, and no DPIIT or MSME registration is listed as a condition of entry.

Submissions are assessed on creativity, technical execution and impact. Winners are announced shortly after the 2 October 2026 submission deadline.

Registration is free and happens on the official Devpost page for the hackathon at https://gatewayhacks-2026.devpost.com/. The same platform is used to submit your finished project before the deadline — sign-up and submissions both close on 2 October 2026.

Apply directly through the official application link on this page. Review the eligibility criteria and prepare your startup documents before you begin.