HoustonHacks2026 — Online Hackathon With a $150 (₹13,800) Prize Pool
A fully virtual hackathon hosted on Devpost with a $150 prize pool — roughly ₹13,800 — open to solo builders and teams anywhere in the world, including India.
- Funding amount
- ₹13,800 (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- 31 Dec 2026
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
HoustonHacks2026 is a fully online hackathon hosted on Devpost. Participants put together original tech projects and the best entries take home a cash prize, with the total prize pool standing at $150 — about ₹13,800 for Indian participants.
Because the whole event happens on the internet, there is no venue, no travel and no in-person attendance requirement. Builders can work from their own desk, whether that desk is in Bengaluru, Berlin or Boston, and submit their project remotely.
The date to note is 31 December 2026, which is both the hackathon's listed date and its registration deadline.
The competition is deliberately broad about who it invites. Developers, designers and innovators at every skill level can enter, and you can compete either on your own or as part of a team. No geographic restrictions are stated, so an Indian founder, student or independent builder signs up on exactly the same footing as anyone else.
Entries are not judged on a pitch deck or a fundraising story. The three assessment criteria are how creative the idea is, how well it is technically executed, and the impact the project could have.
Highlights
- Fully online hackathon hosted on Devpost — no travel or venue required.
- Prize pool of $150, approximately ₹13,800.
- Open worldwide, with Indian individuals and teams free to enter.
- Solo hackers and teams are both allowed, at any skill level.
- Event date and registration deadline: 31 December 2026.
- Judged on creativity, technical execution and impact.
Who can apply
Who can take part
- The hackathon is open to participants worldwide, including individuals and teams based in India. No geographic restriction is stated.
- Both solo entrants and teams are allowed.
- Developers, designers and innovators at every skill level are welcome — there is no experience bar and beginners are not shut out.
- No specific eligibility criteria, professional background or prior hackathon record is listed.
What is not required
- DPIIT recognition is not listed as a requirement.
- MSME or Udyam registration is not listed as a requirement.
- There is no India-only or state-specific residency condition — the event is global.
HoustonHacks2026 — Online Hackathon With a $150 (₹13,800) 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
Applications for HoustonHacks2026 — Online Hackathon With a $150 (₹13,800) Prize Pool are open and the current deadline is 31 Dec 2026. Deadlines can change — always reconfirm on the official source before submitting.
What the funding covers
The financial offering here is a competition prize pool of $150, which comes to roughly ₹13,800.
- The reward is a cash prize for the winning project or projects rather than a grant, loan or investment.
- Because it is a prize and not a funding round, no equity stake is involved.
- The prize pool is the only financial benefit stated for the programme. Perks such as cloud credits, mentorship, incubation support or follow-on funding are not part of the listed offering.
For Indian teams, the dollar-denominated pool is the figure to plan around, and it is a modest prize rather than seed capital — the practical value of the hackathon lies in the build itself and what the submitted project does.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
How the route works
HoustonHacks2026 does not publish a multi-round screening funnel. The path is direct: register for the hackathon through its Devpost listing, build your project, and submit it before the 31 December 2026 deadline.
How entries are judged
Submissions are assessed on three criteria:
- Creativity — how original and interesting the concept is.
- Technical execution — how well the project is built and how completely it works.
- Impact — the difference the project could make for its users or its problem space.
The winning entry or entries take the $150 prize pool.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to HoustonHacks2026 — Online Hackathon With a $150 (₹13,800) 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
HoustonHacks2026 — Online Hackathon With a $150 (₹13,800) Prize Pool is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹13,800. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How much prize money does HoustonHacks2026 offer?
The total prize pool is $150, which is approximately ₹13,800. That is the full amount stated for the hackathon, so it is a cash prize competition rather than a large funding award.
What is the deadline to register for HoustonHacks2026?
Registration closes on 31 December 2026. The same date is listed for the hackathon itself, so plan to have your project ready and submitted by then rather than leaving it to the final day.
Who is eligible to participate in HoustonHacks2026?
The hackathon is open to participants globally, and no specific restrictions are listed. Indian individuals and teams can enter on the same terms as anyone else, since there is no geographic limitation attached to the event.
Can I enter as a team, or do I have to compete alone?
Both options are allowed. You can register and build as a solo participant, or put together a team — developers, designers and innovators at any skill level are explicitly welcome.
Do I need DPIIT recognition or MSME registration to take part?
No. Neither DPIIT recognition nor MSME/Udyam registration is mentioned anywhere among the requirements. Since the hackathon is global and open to individuals as well as teams, company registration of any kind is not part of the eligibility criteria.
Do I need to be an experienced developer to enter?
Not at all. The hackathon is open to people at every skill level, including first-timers. Entries are judged on creativity, technical execution and impact, so a well-executed simple idea can compete alongside more complex builds.
Is HoustonHacks2026 an online or in-person event?
It is entirely online. Everything runs through the hackathon's Devpost page, so participants can work from anywhere without travelling to a venue.
How are the submissions judged?
Projects are scored against three criteria: creativity, technical execution and impact. The entry or entries that perform best across those criteria take the $150 prize pool.
Does HoustonHacks2026 take equity in my project?
No. This is a hackathon competition with a cash prize, not an investment programme, so no equity stake is involved. It is a non-dilutive award.
How do I apply for HoustonHacks2026?
Registration happens through the official Devpost page for the hackathon, at https://evensonarisnord.devpost.com/. Sign up there, build your project, and submit it before the 31 December 2026 deadline.
Alternatives to HoustonHacks2026 — Online Hackathon With a $150 (₹13,800) Prize Pool
Not sure HoustonHacks2026 — Online Hackathon With a $150 (₹13,800) Prize Pool is the right fit, or already applied? These are other grants open to Indian startups that founders shortlist alongside it.
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