Hack-The-Matrix Hackathon — ₹1.5L AI Agents Prize Pool
A two-day AI Agents hackathon hosted by SNIST Hyderabad on July 10–11, 2026, with a ₹1,50,000 cash prize pool and registration closing on July 3, 2026.
- Funding amount
- ₹1.5L (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- Sreenidhi Institute of Science and Technology (Incubator)
- Application deadline
- Closed (3 Jul 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
The Hack-The-Matrix Hackathon is a two-day build event run by Sreenidhi Institute of Science and Technology (SNIST), and its theme is deliberately narrow: AI Agents. Participants get the two days of the hackathon to develop an agent-based project and submit it, with judging and the winner announcements scheduled once the event wraps up.
This is a competition rather than a funding round. A total cash prize pool of ₹1,50,000 is reserved for the winning teams, and since prizes are awarded instead of invested, no equity changes hands.
The hackathon takes place on July 10 and 11, 2026 on the SNIST campus in Hyderabad. Registration closes earlier, on July 3, 2026, so the real deadline for anyone interested falls about a week before the building begins.
Entry is deliberately broad. The organisers keep the event open to everyone, with students and developers working on AI and agent-based systems as the natural audience, and with both solo entrants and teams welcome. Sign-up happens through the official event page on Internshala.
Highlights
- Two-day AI Agents hackathon on July 10–11, 2026 at SNIST Hyderabad.
- ₹1,50,000 total cash prize pool for the winning teams.
- Registration deadline: July 3, 2026 — about a week before the event starts.
- Open to students and developers; enter individually or as a team.
- No team size restriction mentioned, and no equity is taken — it is a prize competition, not an investment.
- Applications go through the official Internshala event page.
Who can apply
The organisers describe this hackathon as open to everyone — there is no restricted list of colleges, states, industries or entity types attached to it.
- Who it is for: students and developers with an interest in AI and agent-based systems.
- Team format: you can take part on your own or as part of a team. No specific team size restriction has been mentioned.
- Prior background: nothing beyond an interest in AI and agent-based work is stated.
- Registration: you must sign up by July 3, 2026 to take part.
- DPIIT or MSME registration: no such requirement is mentioned — this is a student- and developer-facing hackathon rather than a government grant scheme.
Hack-The-Matrix Hackathon — ₹1.5L AI Agents Prize Pool 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 Hack-The-Matrix Hackathon — ₹1.5L AI Agents Prize Pool closed on 3 Jul 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
The hackathon does not disburse grants, loans or investment. What it puts on the table is prize money.
- Total cash prize pool: ₹1,50,000, awarded to the winning teams.
- The prize is a one-time cash award. Because this is a competition, no equity or stake in your project is taken in return.
- Participants also get the build time itself — two days on the SNIST Hyderabad campus to develop an AI agent project and put it in front of the judges.
The published details give only the overall pool figure; the split between individual winning teams is not stated.
About the provider
Hack-The-Matrix Hackathon — ₹1.5L AI Agents Prize Pool is offered by Sreenidhi Institute of Science and Technology, a startup incubator. It is delivered directly by Sreenidhi Institute of Science and Technology as a competition. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Entries are judged through the event itself rather than through a separate written application round.
- Register first: sign up through the official event page by July 3, 2026.
- Build at the venue: participants have the two days of the hackathon, July 10 and 11, 2026, at SNIST Hyderabad to develop and submit their projects.
- Judging: assessment happens at the end of the event, once projects are submitted.
- Winners announced: the winning teams are revealed at the close of the hackathon, along with the awarding of the ₹1,50,000 prize pool.
The details available do not describe the judging criteria, so no weighting between idea, technical execution and presentation is stated.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Hack-The-Matrix Hackathon — ₹1.5L AI Agents Prize Pool, 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
Hack-The-Matrix Hackathon — ₹1.5L AI Agents Prize Pool is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹1.5L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is the Hack-The-Matrix Hackathon?
It is a two-day hackathon organised by Sreenidhi Institute of Science and Technology (SNIST) in Hyderabad. The theme is building AI Agents, and the format is competitive: participants spend the two days of the event creating and submitting an agent-based project, after which judging takes place and the winners are announced.
How much prize money is on offer?
There is a total cash prize pool of ₹1,50,000, which goes to the winning teams. The published details give only the overall pool amount, so the split between individual winning teams is not specified.
When is the registration deadline?
You need to register by July 3, 2026. That is roughly a week before the hackathon itself, which runs on July 10 and 11, 2026.
Who is eligible to participate?
The organisers describe the hackathon as open to all participants. The natural audience is students and developers who are interested in AI and agent-based systems, and there are no stated restrictions around college, state or industry.
Can I take part alone, or do I have to be in a team?
Both are possible. Individual participants and teams are both welcome, and no specific team size restriction has been mentioned.
Does the hackathon take equity in my project?
No. This is a competition with a cash prize pool rather than a funding round, so winners receive prize money and no equity or ownership stake is taken in return.
Do I need DPIIT or MSME registration to apply?
No. Nothing in the programme details requires DPIIT recognition or MSME registration. Those requirements typically apply to government grant and funding schemes, not to a hackathon of this kind.
What will I actually be building during the hackathon?
The focus is AI Agents. Participants use the two days of the event to build and submit an agent-based project, and judging takes place at the end of the hackathon.
Where is the hackathon held?
It takes place on the campus of Sreenidhi Institute of Science and Technology (SNIST) in Hyderabad, across July 10 and 11, 2026.
How do I apply?
Registration is handled through the official event page on Internshala, which is linked on this page. Make sure your entry is in before the July 3, 2026 deadline, since that is when registration closes.
Who offers Hack-The-Matrix Hackathon — ₹1.5L AI Agents Prize Pool?
Hack-The-Matrix Hackathon — ₹1.5L AI Agents Prize Pool is offered by Sreenidhi Institute of Science and Technology, a startup incubator. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.
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