Impact Forge Summer 2026 Hackathon — ₹5.8L Prize Pool
ImpactForge's fully online hackathon from August 14 to 16, 2026, with a ₹5.8L ($6,300) prize pool. Open to Indian and global participants, free to enter, with ML/AI, Web and open-ended tracks.
- Funding amount
- ₹5.8L (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (16 Aug 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
Impact Forge: Summer 2026 Hackathon is a three-day, fully online build sprint organised by ImpactForge, an outfit that regularly runs hackathons and innovation challenges. Indian teams can take part on exactly the same footing as participants from anywhere else in the world.
Participants get one weekend — August 14 to 16, 2026 — to design and ship a working project. There is a combined prize pool of ₹5.8L ($6,300) for the strongest entries, and taking part costs nothing.
Three project routes are on offer: an open-ended track where your team defines its own problem statement, a Machine Learning/AI track, and a Web track. Work is done remotely and projects go in through Devpost, with registration open right up to August 16, 2026, the closing day of the event.
The hackathon suits developers, designers and problem-solvers who want a short, intense deadline and a shot at a cash award, rather than a long grant or incubation cycle.
Highlights
- Fully online hackathon running August 14 to 16, 2026.
- Combined prize pool of ₹5.8L ($6,300) for winning teams.
- Registration open until August 16, 2026 via Devpost.
- Tracks cover Machine Learning/AI, Web and an open-ended problem statement.
- Open to participants globally, including Indian teams, with no team size restriction.
- Free to enter; projects judged on innovation, technical complexity, impact and presentation quality.
Who can apply
Entry is open worldwide. Developers, designers and innovators from any country can register, and Indian teams face no additional conditions.
- Team size: no restrictions are stated — you can compete solo or as part of a team of any size.
- Individuals welcome: solo participants are explicitly allowed, so you do not need to assemble a team first.
- Who it suits: people working in AI, web development and creative problem-solving. The open-ended track lets you choose your own problem statement if none of the named tracks fits.
- Cost to enter: free.
- Location: entirely online, so no travel or physical presence is required.
Impact Forge Summer 2026 Hackathon — ₹5.8L 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 Impact Forge Summer 2026 Hackathon — ₹5.8L Prize Pool closed on 16 Aug 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
Winners share a prize pool of ₹5.8L ($6,300). The money is distributed among the winning teams as a cash award; the organiser has not published a rank-by-rank split, so the exact amount a first-place, second-place or other winner receives is not disclosed.
- Cash prizes for the top projects, drawn from the combined ₹5.8L ($6,300) pool.
- No entry fee — participating costs you nothing.
- Judging visibility across four stated criteria: innovation, technical complexity, impact and presentation quality.
- A finished project built over the hackathon weekend, submitted and evaluated on the Devpost platform.
Because this is a competition with cash prizes rather than an investment, no equity or stake in your venture changes hands.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Projects are built and submitted online through Devpost during the hackathon window of August 14 to 16, 2026. Registration remains open until August 16, 2026.
Entries are then assessed on four stated criteria:
- innovation
- technical complexity
- impact
- presentation quality
Prizes from the ₹5.8L ($6,300) pool are awarded to the winning teams on the basis of that evaluation. The organiser has not published a detailed scorecard, scoring weights or a rank-by-rank prize breakdown.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Impact Forge Summer 2026 Hackathon — ₹5.8L 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
Impact Forge Summer 2026 Hackathon — ₹5.8L Prize Pool is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹5.8L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How much prize money is on offer at the Impact Forge Summer 2026 Hackathon?
The total prize pool is ₹5.8L, equivalent to $6,300. That amount is shared among the winning teams. The organiser has not published a breakdown showing how much each rank receives.
What is the application deadline?
Registration stays open until August 16, 2026, which is also the final day of the hackathon itself. Entries are submitted through the Devpost platform.
When does the hackathon actually take place?
The event runs from August 14 to August 16, 2026. It is held entirely online, so you can work from anywhere and submit remotely.
Who is eligible to participate?
Entry is open globally. Developers, designers and innovators from any country can take part, and Indian teams are explicitly welcome. There are no stated restrictions on team size, and individual participants can register on their own.
Is there a team size limit, or can I apply alone?
No team size restrictions are mentioned. Teams of any size can enter, and solo participants are also allowed, so you can compete without assembling a team.
What kind of projects can I build?
There are three routes: a Machine Learning/AI track, a Web track, and an open-ended track where you pick your own problem statement. The open-ended option means you are not boxed into a fixed theme.
How are the entries judged?
Projects are evaluated on four criteria: innovation, technical complexity, impact and presentation quality. The organiser has not published detailed scoring weights or a full judging rubric.
Does entering cost anything, and does the hackathon take equity?
The hackathon is free to enter. It is a competition with cash prizes rather than an investment, so no equity or ownership stake in your project or company is taken.
How do I apply?
Registration and project submission both happen on the official Devpost page at https://impactforge26.devpost.com/. You can sign up there any time before the August 16, 2026 deadline.
What documents or registration details will I need?
The available information does not list a specific document set. Since everything runs through Devpost, expect to create a Devpost account and submit your project there before the deadline.
Is DPIIT recognition required for Impact Forge Summer 2026 Hackathon — ₹5.8L Prize Pool?
No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for Impact Forge Summer 2026 Hackathon — ₹5.8L Prize Pool, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.
Alternatives to Impact Forge Summer 2026 Hackathon — ₹5.8L Prize Pool
Not sure Impact Forge Summer 2026 Hackathon — ₹5.8L Prize Pool 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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