MAKER'S ARENA 2.0
South India's 24-hour hard-tech hackathon for students and early-stage founders to prototype hardware innovations — up to ₹5 lakh grant for winners.
- Funding amount
- ₹5L (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (8 Jun 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
MAKER'S ARENA 2.0 is South India's flagship 24-hour non-stop hard-tech and hardware hackathon, organized by AIC RAISE. The event challenges innovators to build real, working prototypes from scratch in domains like AI, hardware, IoT, and machine learning. Participants compete in teams or individually, with top entries receiving grants up to ₹5,00,000, plus internships, startup toolkit access, and incubation/IP support. The hackathon runs continuously from 4:00 PM on June 26 to 4:00 PM on June 27, 2026, at the AIC RAISE venue in Bengaluru. Registration is open from May 5 to June 8, 2026, with a fee of ₹499 per person. The program offers mentorship from industry experts, expert-led sessions, and fab lab facilities for the most innovative ideas. Accommodation for women participants is available upon request.
Highlights
- South India's 24-hour hard-tech hackathon at AIC RAISE
- Up to ₹5L grant + internships + fab lab access
- UG/PG students, recent grads (<2yr), early founders
- Bengaluru, Jun 26-27, 2026 — ₹499/person fee
- Accommodation available for women on request
Who can apply
The hackathon is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students, recent graduates (within 2 years of graduation), and early-stage founders. Participants can apply as teams of 2 to 5 members or as individuals (team size allowed 1–5). There are no restrictions on industry, state, or entity type. DPIIT or MSME registration is not required. Each participant must pay a registration fee of ₹499.
MAKER'S ARENA 2.0 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 MAKER'S ARENA 2.0 closed on 8 Jun 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
- Winners receive up to ₹5,00,000 grant, plus internship opportunities, startup toolkit access, and incubation & IP support.
- Most innovative ideas gain access to fab lab facilities.
- All participants benefit from mentorship, expert-led sessions, and receive certificates.
How to apply
- 1Registration
- 2Idea submission
- 3Hackathon round
- 4Pitch
- 5Decision
Applications are submitted on the official portal. Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
The application process consists of the following stages: Registration (open May 5 – June 8, 2026), Idea submission (after registration), Hackathon round (24-hour build from Jun 26 4PM to Jun 27 4PM), Pitch presentation, and Final Decision. Specific selection criteria are not detailed, but teams are evaluated on the working prototype built during the hackathon and their pitch.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to MAKER'S ARENA 2.0, 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
MAKER'S ARENA 2.0 is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹5L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What is the total funding amount offered?
Winners can receive grants up to ₹5,00,000. The exact amount may vary based on evaluation.
What is the application deadline?
Registration opens on May 5, 2026, and closes on June 8, 2026.
Who is eligible to apply?
Undergraduate and postgraduate students, recent graduates (within 2 years), and early-stage founders are eligible. Team size can be 1 to 5 members; individuals are welcome.
Is there any registration fee?
Yes, the registration fee is ₹499 per person.
Does the program take equity?
No, this is a competition with grant prizes. No equity is taken from participants.
What documents are needed to apply?
The application process requires registering and submitting an idea. Specific document requirements are not listed, but a team description and idea summary are likely needed.
How and where do I apply?
Apply through the registration link provided by AIC RAISE: https://cumma.in/EventDetail/69f9a162f2cdfa3c1d7746c0 . You can also contact 7305030967 or productsupport@aicraise.com.
Is DPIIT or MSME registration required?
No, DPIIT or MSME registration is not required for participation.
What is the format of the hackathon?
It is a 24-hour non-stop event from 4:00 PM June 26 to 4:00 PM June 27, 2026, at the AIC RAISE venue. Teams build, test, and showcase working prototypes.
Are there any additional benefits for women participants?
Yes, accommodation for women participants is available upon request.
How do I apply for MAKER'S ARENA 2.0?
Applications go through 5 stages, starting with Registration. Apply through the official application link on this page.
Alternatives to MAKER'S ARENA 2.0
Not sure MAKER'S ARENA 2.0 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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