GBT AI Ignite 2026 — AI Hackathon with ₹1.75L+ Prizes — Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Registration closes on 3 August 2026. Sign-ups are handled through Unstop, so it is worth completing your entry before the deadline.

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.

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%.