GBT AI Ignite 2026 — AI Hackathon with ₹1.75L+ Prizes
GoBeyondTickets' national AI hackathon for students, developers, designers and founders — ten problem statements, three rounds and a prize pool of ₹1.75 Lakh+ in cash and AI/cloud credits. Register on Unstop by 3 August 2026.
- Funding amount
- ₹1.8L (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (3 Aug 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
GBT AI Ignite 2026 is a nationwide AI hackathon run by GoBeyondTickets (GBT), an Indian platform that hosts hackathons and innovation challenges for the country's tech community.
Anyone with an interest in artificial intelligence can enter — students, working developers, designers, founders and first-time AI builders. Teams pick one of ten problem statements and work through three competitive rounds, with the strongest entries presenting live before an industry jury at the finale.
The ten problem statements:
- AI Agents & Autonomous Systems
- Healthcare & Medical AI
- AI for Education
- Smart Cities & Urban Innovation
- FinTech & Financial Inclusion
- ClimateTech & Sustainability
- Future of Work & Productivity
- Cybersecurity using AI
- Future of Entertainment & Live Experiences
- Open Innovation (AI)
Because entry is open to individuals as well as teams, and because members from different colleges and different disciplines can build together, the hackathon suits both a solo side project and a cross-functional squad.
Registration runs on Unstop and closes on 3 August 2026. A nominal per-participant fee applies, with lower rates for larger teams.
Highlights
- Organised by GoBeyondTickets (GBT); registration is handled on Unstop.
- Total prize pool of ₹1.75 Lakh+ split between cash and AI/cloud credits.
- Winner receives ₹50,000 in cash plus ₹50,000 in AI and cloud credits.
- Ten AI problem statements, from healthcare and fintech to climate and cybersecurity.
- Teams of 1–5 members; solo entries and cross-college teams are both allowed.
- Register by 3 August 2026; the grand finale takes place in September.
Who can apply
Entry is deliberately broad: GBT AI Ignite 2026 is open to everyone — students, developers, designers, entrepreneurs and AI enthusiasts, whatever their experience level.
- Team size: 1 to 5 members.
- Solo entries: Welcome; you do not need a team to take part.
- Mixed teams: Members from different colleges and different disciplines can team up.
- Registration window: Sign-up happens on Unstop and closes on 3 August 2026.
- Registration fee: Solo ₹149; a team of 2 pays ₹129 per participant; a team of 3–5 pays ₹109 per participant.
No DPIIT recognition, MSME registration or incorporated company is required — individuals and teams can register directly.
GBT AI Ignite 2026 — AI Hackathon with ₹1.75L+ Prizes 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 GBT AI Ignite 2026 — AI Hackathon with ₹1.75L+ Prizes closed on 3 Aug 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
GBT AI Ignite 2026 puts a total prize pool of ₹1.75 Lakh+ on the table, split between cash and AI/cloud credits.
- Winner: ₹50,000 in cash plus ₹50,000 in AI and cloud credits.
- First Runner-Up: ₹25,000 in cash plus ₹25,000 in AI and cloud credits.
- Second Runner-Up: ₹10,000 in cash plus ₹15,000 in AI and cloud credits.
Beyond the podium, the organisers hand out special awards: Best AI Innovation, Best UI/UX, Best Social Impact Solution, Best Women-Led Team, Best First-Year Team and the Community Choice Award.
Participants also gain mentorship through the build, access to AI and cloud credits, and national recognition for their work. This is a prize competition rather than an investment, so nothing is taken in return — no equity stake and no repayment.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Entries move through three rounds, with shortlisting at each step.
- Round 1 — Idea Submission: Submit your idea together with a short presentation.
- Round 2 — MVP Submission: Shortlisted teams build and submit a working prototype, along with the source code and a demo video.
- Round 3 — Grand Finale: The top teams present live before an industry jury in September. Exact dates and venue are still to be finalised.
Judging at the finale is weighted as follows:
- Innovation — 30%
- Technical Implementation — 25%
- Practical Impact — 20%
- User Experience — 15%
- Presentation — 10%
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to GBT AI Ignite 2026 — AI Hackathon with ₹1.75L+ Prizes, 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
GBT AI Ignite 2026 — AI Hackathon with ₹1.75L+ Prizes is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹1.8L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What is GBT AI Ignite 2026?
It is a national AI hackathon organised by GoBeyondTickets (GBT), an Indian platform that runs hackathons and innovation challenges. Participants build AI solutions to real-world problems across ten problem statements — ranging from AI agents and healthcare to fintech, climate tech and cybersecurity — and progress through three rounds, ending with a live finale before an industry jury. Registration happens on Unstop.
How much prize money is on offer?
The total prize pool is ₹1.75 Lakh+ in cash and AI/cloud credits. The winner takes ₹50,000 in cash plus ₹50,000 in AI and cloud credits, the first runner-up gets ₹25,000 in cash plus ₹25,000 in credits, and the second runner-up receives ₹10,000 in cash plus ₹15,000 in credits. There are also special awards for Best AI Innovation, Best UI/UX, Best Social Impact Solution, Best Women-Led Team, Best First-Year Team and the Community Choice Award.
Who can apply for GBT AI Ignite 2026?
The hackathon is open to all — students, developers, designers, entrepreneurs and AI enthusiasts. You can enter as an individual or as part of a team of up to five members, and members from different colleges or different disciplines are free to build together. No particular degree, employer or sector background is required.
Can I participate alone, or do I need a team?
Solo participation is allowed, so you can register on your own and still compete. You can also join with up to four other people, giving a maximum team size of 5. Note that the registration fee differs by team size: ₹149 for a solo entrant, ₹129 per participant for a team of two, and ₹109 per participant for a team of three to five.
Is DPIIT recognition or MSME registration required?
No. GBT AI Ignite 2026 is a hackathon open to individuals and teams, and no DPIIT recognition, MSME registration or incorporated company is needed to take part. Eligibility simply requires you to register on Unstop before the deadline.
Does the program take equity in my startup?
No. GBT AI Ignite 2026 is a competition that awards cash prizes and AI/cloud credits; there is no equity stake taken and nothing to repay. You keep full ownership of whatever you build during the hackathon.
What is the registration fee?
A nominal fee applies per participant. Solo entrants pay ₹149, a team of two pays ₹129 per participant, and a team of three to five pays ₹109 per participant.
What is the last date to register?
Registration closes on 3 August 2026. Sign-ups are handled through Unstop, so it is worth completing your entry before the deadline.
How do I apply for GBT AI Ignite 2026?
Registration is done online on Unstop at the GBT AI Ignite 2026 hackathon page. You create your entry there, pay the applicable per-participant fee, and then submit your idea and presentation for Round 1.
What are the rounds, and how are entries judged?
There are three rounds. In Round 1 you submit your idea with a short presentation. In Round 2, shortlisted teams build and submit a working prototype along with source code and a demo video. In Round 3, the top teams present live before an industry jury at the Grand Finale in September, with dates and venue still to be finalised. Finale judging is weighted as Innovation 30%, Technical Implementation 25%, Practical Impact 20%, User Experience 15% and Presentation 10%.
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