Hackowasp 8.0 — 36-Hour Hybrid Hackathon with ₹6L Prize Pool

Hackowasp 8.0 is the eighth edition of a hackathon organised by Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology in Patiala, Punjab. It runs in hybrid mode, so teams can build from the campus or take part remotely, and the event spans 36 continuous hours of ideation and development. A total prize pool of ₹6,00,000+ is on offer.

The event traces its roots to the OWASP community, and its problem space leans on contemporary technology themes — Web3, cybersecurity and sustainability sit at the centre of the hackathon.

Tracks you can build for

• Web3 — decentralised technology, data ownership and protocol work.
• Cyber Security — securing digital infrastructure and staying ahead of emerging threats.
• Open Innovation — a theme-free track for ideas that do not fit anywhere else.
• Healthcare — technology that improves health and empowers people.
• Economic Growth (SDG-8) — inclusive tech and financial solutions that narrow the wealth gap.
• Responsible Consumption (SDG-12) — circular design and waste reduction.
• Climate Action (SDG-13) — technology aimed at climate change and long-term sustainability.

Timeline at a glance

Registration closes on 17 April 2026, the same day an online-only orientation and team formation session is held. The opening ceremony and hacking begin on 18 April 2026, and the event wraps up on 19 April 2026 with final presentations. Entries are submitted through DoraHacks and GitHub by 19 April 2026.

Who it is for

Hackowasp 8.0 is open to tech enthusiasts, innovators, students and professionals from anywhere in the world, with no restrictions on background or experience. Teams may have anywhere between 1 and 5 members.

• 36-hour hybrid hackathon hosted by Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, Patiala
• Total prize pool of ₹6,00,000+, paid out as cash prizes
• Registration deadline: 17 April 2026; hacking runs 18–19 April 2026
• Seven tracks covering Web3, cyber security, open innovation, healthcare and SDG 8, 12 and 13
• Open to students and professionals worldwide; teams of 1 to 5 members
• Submissions via DoraHacks and GitHub — source code, brief documentation and a 2-minute demo video

Hackowasp 8.0 does not restrict who can enter. It is open to tech enthusiasts, innovators, students and working professionals, and participants are welcome from anywhere in the world.

• Stage: no stage requirement. You do not need a registered startup, a launched product or prior funding to take part.
• Sectors: no sector bar either. You choose your track while building — Web3, cyber security, open innovation, healthcare, or one of the SDG themes.
• Geography: global participation. Because the event is hybrid, travelling to Patiala is optional.
• Entity type: individuals and informal teams are eligible. There is no requirement to be a company, and no DPIIT recognition, MSME registration or government approval is asked for.
• Team size: 1 to 5 members per team.
• Experience: beginners and experienced builders are treated the same — the only stated criterion is an interest in building.

Hackowasp 8.0 — 36-Hour Hybrid Hackathon with ₹6L Prize Pool is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

The most recent application window for Hackowasp 8.0 — 36-Hour Hybrid Hackathon with ₹6L Prize Pool closed on 17 Apr 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.

Hackowasp 8.0 is a competition rather than a grant scheme, so the rewards come in the form of prizes instead of funding released against milestones.

• Prize pool of ₹6,00,000+ in total, awarded as cash prizes to winning teams.
• Participation certificates for those who take part.
• Networking opportunities with industry mentors and event partners.
• No equity or ownership stake is involved, since the rewards are cash prizes and certificates rather than an investment.

The programme details do not publish a track-wise or position-wise split of the prize money; the ₹6,00,000+ figure is the combined pool for the hackathon.

Hackowasp 8.0 — 36-Hour Hybrid Hackathon with ₹6L Prize Pool is offered by Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, Patiala, an academic institution. It is delivered directly by Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, Patiala as a competition. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

Entries move through a fixed sequence across the hackathon weekend.

• Registration — complete the online sign-up with your name, email address, phone number and team size. Registration closes on 17 April 2026.
• Orientation and team formation — an online-only session held on 17 April 2026, before the hacking window opens.
• Opening ceremony and hacking — the build kicks off on 18 April 2026 and runs for 36 hours through to 19 April.
• Submission — due on 19 April 2026 via DoraHacks and GitHub. Each team submits source code, brief documentation and a 2-minute demo video.
• Final presentations and judging — presentations take place on 18 and 19 April, and projects are assessed on innovation, impact, technical complexity, how well they align with the chosen track, and the quality of the presentation.

Before you apply to Hackowasp 8.0 — 36-Hour Hybrid Hackathon with ₹6L 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.

Hackowasp 8.0 — 36-Hour Hybrid Hackathon with ₹6L Prize Pool is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹6L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.