Global AI Hackathon — ₹32.2L Prize Pool, 24-Hour Online Event
Hack-Nation's 24-hour online AI hackathon, open worldwide, with a $35,000 (₹32.2L) prize pool. Register by 20 June 2026.
- Funding amount
- ₹32.2L (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (20 Jun 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
Run by Hack-Nation, the Global AI Hackathon is an online competition that hands builders a single day to ship a working, end-to-end AI application. Indian developers, students and founders take part on the same footing as entrants from the rest of the world — there is no geographic filter on who may enter.
The event window is July 18–19, 2026. Once it opens, participants get 24 hours to design, build and submit their product. Registration works differently from the event itself: sign-ups shut well before the coding begins, on June 20, 2026.
This is a competition rather than a grant, an accelerator or an investment round. The reward is prize money, and Hack-Nation has pooled $35,000 for it — roughly ₹32,20,000. The listing does not split that figure by rank, so how the money is divided between winners has not been published. Because nothing is being invested, no equity changes hands.
If you want a hard deadline, a global field of rivals and a reason to build a complete AI product under time pressure, this format delivers exactly that. Registration happens through the listing at internshala.com/competitions/global-ai-hackathon.
Highlights
- 24-hour online AI hackathon organised by Hack-Nation
- Total prize pool of $35,000 — about ₹32,20,000
- Event runs July 18–19, 2026
- Registration closes June 20, 2026
- Open to individuals and teams worldwide, including Indian participants
- Participants must build and submit an end-to-end AI application
Who can apply
Entry is open globally, with Indian participants explicitly welcome alongside entrants from every other country.
- Who can take part: developers, data scientists, AI enthusiasts and students — no prior achievement or experience threshold is stated.
- Individual or team: you may enter alone or as part of a team.
- Team size: the organisers have not set a minimum or maximum number of members.
- No entity requirement: there is no need to be an incorporated company, a DPIIT-recognised startup or an MSME.
- No sector or stage filter: the only brief is to build an end-to-end AI application during the event.
- No restrictions mentioned: apart from the registration deadline, the listing states no eligibility bars.
Global AI Hackathon — ₹32.2L Prize Pool, 24-Hour Online Event 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 Global AI Hackathon — ₹32.2L Prize Pool, 24-Hour Online Event closed on 20 Jun 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
The reward here is cash prize money rather than a grant, loan or equity cheque.
- Total prize pool: $35,000, which comes to about ₹32,20,000.
- One combined pool: the full amount is distributed as competition prizes.
- No published rank breakdown: the organisers have not said how much goes to each winner or how many places are rewarded.
- No equity taken: winners keep whatever they build — no stake is exchanged for the prize.
- Nothing else listed: beyond the prize pool, no additional perks such as credits, mentoring or incubation have been announced.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Global AI Hackathon — ₹32.2L Prize Pool, 24-Hour Online Event, 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
Global AI Hackathon — ₹32.2L Prize Pool, 24-Hour Online Event is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹32.2L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How much prize money is on offer at this hackathon?
Hack-Nation has announced a combined prize pool of $35,000, which is roughly ₹32,20,000. The listing does not break the pool down by rank, and it does not say how many winners there will be.
What is the last date to register?
You must register by June 20, 2026. The hackathon itself happens later, on July 18–19, 2026, so signing up early leaves you time to assemble a team and plan your build.
When does the hackathon take place and how long is it?
The event runs across July 18–19, 2026. Within that window, participants have 24 hours to design, build and submit their application.
Who is eligible to participate?
Essentially anyone. The hackathon is open globally to developers, data scientists, AI enthusiasts and students. Indian participants can join, and no location, background or experience restrictions are mentioned.
Can I enter on my own, or do I need a team?
Both options work. You can register as an individual or as part of a team, and the organisers have not specified a minimum or maximum team size.
What am I expected to build?
A complete, end-to-end AI application, which you must submit within the 24 hours of the event. The listing does not go into the judging criteria or the exact submission format.
Is the hackathon held online?
Yes. It is an online competition, so you can take part from wherever you are. That is also what makes it possible for the organisers to accept entries from around the world, India included.
Is this a grant or an investment? Does Hack-Nation take equity?
Neither. It is a prize competition, so winners receive cash and no equity is taken in return. You retain ownership of whatever you build during the event.
Do I need DPIIT recognition, MSME registration or a registered company?
No. Nothing of that sort is required. Eligibility is open to all participants globally, so you do not need an incorporated entity or any government registration to enter.
How do I apply?
Register through the official listing at https://internshala.com/competitions/global-ai-hackathon/ before the June 20, 2026 deadline.
Alternatives to Global AI Hackathon — ₹32.2L Prize Pool, 24-Hour Online Event
Not sure Global AI Hackathon — ₹32.2L Prize Pool, 24-Hour Online Event is the right fit, or already applied? These are other grants open to Indian startups that founders shortlist alongside it.
Questions from founders
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