Gloo AI Hackathon 2026 — ₹2.3Cr Prize Pool for AI Builders
Gloo AI Hackathon 2026 is a global AI competition run by Gloo for builders of AI agents, ministry tools and Bible-based applications, with a $250,000 (about ₹2.3 crore) prize pool and Indian participants welcome.
- Funding amount
- ₹2.3Cr (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (7 Sept 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
Gloo AI Hackathon 2026 is a global AI competition organised by Gloo for builders working where artificial intelligence meets faith. It is a build-and-submit contest rather than an investment programme: entrants create AI agents, ministry tools or Bible-based AI applications, and the best work is rewarded from a cash prize pool.
Indian developers, founders and teams are explicitly invited to take part. Individuals working alone can enter, and so can teams. The organisers state no restrictions on who may apply.
The build period runs from June 5, 2026 to September 7, 2026, and the format is expected to be online and self-paced — you work to your own schedule and submit before the closing date rather than travelling to a fixed venue. Registration shuts on the same day the window ends, September 7, 2026.
The headline figure is the prize pool: $250,000, which comes to roughly ₹2.3 crore at the conversion of 92 INR per US dollar quoted for the competition. The published details do not break the pool down by rank or category, and the judging criteria and round structure are not set out. What is clear is the brief itself: ministry and faith-oriented AI, giving teams a defined problem area to build against.
Applications are routed through the official Internshala competition page for the hackathon.
Highlights
- Global AI hackathon run by Gloo; Indian participants are explicitly welcome.
- Prize pool of $250,000 — roughly ₹2.3 crore at 92 INR per USD.
- Build window: June 5, 2026 to September 7, 2026; registration closes on the deadline.
- Projects focus on AI agents, ministry tools or Bible-based AI applications.
- Open to individuals and teams, with no stated eligibility restrictions.
- Online and self-paced — you submit before the closing date rather than attend a fixed event.
Who can apply
The hackathon lists no restrictions on who can enter. There is no stated minimum company stage, no sector gate, no state or country limit and no requirement to be an already-funded venture.
- Who can take part: individuals as well as teams, including developers, entrepreneurs and innovators.
- Where from: anywhere in the world — Indian participants are welcome on the same terms as everyone else.
- What you should care about: AI, and faith-based or mission-driven technology.
- What you build: AI agents, ministry tools or Bible-based AI applications.
Nothing in the details requires a registered company, DPIIT recognition, MSME (Udyam) registration or any specific founder profile. You do not need a launched product to apply.
Gloo AI Hackathon 2026 — ₹2.3Cr Prize Pool for AI Builders 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 Gloo AI Hackathon 2026 — ₹2.3Cr Prize Pool for AI Builders closed on 7 Sept 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, so the reward is cash prize money rather than a grant, a loan or an equity cheque.
- Total prize pool: $250,000, which is approximately ₹2.3 crore at the stated rate of 92 INR per US dollar.
- Form of reward: competition cash prizes.
- Equity: as a prize-based hackathon, no stake in your venture is offered or taken in exchange for the winnings.
The details available do not split the pool by rank or category, so the exact sum a single winner or team would collect is not specified. Any further specifics on how the prizes are paid out would come from the organisers.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Gloo AI Hackathon 2026 — ₹2.3Cr Prize Pool for AI Builders, 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
Gloo AI Hackathon 2026 — ₹2.3Cr Prize Pool for AI Builders is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹2.3Cr. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How much prize money does the Gloo AI Hackathon 2026 offer?
The competition has a total prize pool of $250,000, which works out to roughly ₹2.3 crore at the conversion of 92 INR per US dollar used for this listing. The available details do not break that pool down by rank or category, so the amount attached to each winning spot is not published.
What is the application deadline for the hackathon?
Registration closes on September 7, 2026. That is also the final date for the build window, which opens on June 5, 2026, so any submission has to be in by September 7, 2026 at the latest.
Who is eligible to participate?
The hackathon is open to everyone — the organisers state no explicit eligibility restrictions. You can enter as an individual or as part of a team, and the programme describes its audience as developers, entrepreneurs and innovators with an interest in AI and faith-based or mission-driven technology.
Can Indian participants and teams apply?
Yes. Indian participants are expressly welcome, and there is no geographic restriction in the details provided. Indian individuals and teams take part on the same basis as entrants from anywhere else in the world.
Do I need DPIIT recognition or MSME registration to enter?
No. Neither DPIIT recognition nor MSME (Udyam) registration is mentioned as a requirement. There is also no stated need for a registered company, a particular entity type or a launched product — the competition is open to individuals and teams.
Does the hackathon take equity in my startup or project?
No. Gloo AI Hackathon 2026 is a competition with cash prizes, not an investment programme, so no equity stake is offered or taken in return for the prize money.
What kind of projects should I build for this hackathon?
The brief centres on AI agents, ministry tools and Bible-based AI applications — in other words, AI built for faith-based and mission-driven use cases. If your idea sits in that space, it fits the theme.
Is the hackathon online or in person?
The format is described as online and self-paced, which means you work to your own schedule during the build window and submit before the closing date instead of attending a fixed physical event. Submissions are accepted right up to the September 7, 2026 deadline.
How will entries be judged, and how many rounds are there?
The published details do not set out the judging criteria or a specific round structure for this hackathon. What is confirmed is the format: teams build between June 5, 2026 and September 7, 2026 and submit their work before the deadline.
How do I register for the Gloo AI Hackathon 2026?
Registration happens through the official Internshala competition page for the Gloo AI Hackathon 2026 at https://internshala.com/competitions/gloo-ai-hackathon-2026/. Sign-ups must be completed by the registration deadline of September 7, 2026.
How do I apply for Gloo AI Hackathon 2026 — ₹2.3Cr Prize Pool for AI Builders?
Apply directly through the official application link on this page. Review the eligibility criteria and prepare your startup documents before you begin.
Alternatives to Gloo AI Hackathon 2026 — ₹2.3Cr Prize Pool for AI Builders
Not sure Gloo AI Hackathon 2026 — ₹2.3Cr Prize Pool for AI Builders is the right fit, or already applied? These are other grants open to Indian startups that founders shortlist alongside it.
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