NERDS 1.0: AI Hackathon for School Teams with ₹75,000 in Prizes
A two-month AI hackathon by Kokos AI built only for school teams of two to four, with AI training, project mentorship, ₹75,000 in prizes and a finale at Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram.
- Funding amount
- ₹75,000 (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (31 Jul 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
NERDS 1.0 is a national AI hackathon created by Kokos AI for school students in India. It is presented as the country's first artificial intelligence hackathon aimed at the school segment, and it works as a learn-then-compete format rather than a single-day contest — teams spend around two months building AI skills before the strongest of them meet in a final round.
Only teams may enter; there is no solo route. Each team needs two to four members, and every member has to be a school student.
The programme opens with training delivered by AI experts, along with mentorship on the participants' projects. At the end of the two-month run, the leading 24 teams qualify for the Grand Finale at Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram, where a prize pool of ₹75,000 is at stake.
Registration closes on 31 July 2026, and entries are routed through the official Unstop listing for the hackathon. A firm date for the finale has not been announced.
Highlights
- AI hackathon run by Kokos AI and open only to school students
- Teams of two to four members; solo entries are not allowed
- Prizes worth ₹75,000 for the winning teams
- Around two months of AI training plus project mentorship
- The leading 24 teams reach the Grand Finale at Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram
- Register through the official Unstop page before 31 July 2026
Who can apply
NERDS 1.0 is reserved for school students. It is not open to college students, working professionals or independent founders.
- Who can enter: School students only.
- Team size: A team must have two to four members.
- Solo entries: Not allowed — there is no individual registration route.
- Theme restrictions: None stated beyond the AI focus of the hackathon.
- State requirement: None stated. The finale happens in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, but no residency or state condition is mentioned for entering.
- DPIIT / MSME registration: Not applicable — this is a school-level hackathon, not a startup funding scheme.
If you cannot assemble a team of at least two school students, you cannot enter the competition.
NERDS 1.0: AI Hackathon for School Teams with ₹75,000 in Prizes 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 NERDS 1.0: AI Hackathon for School Teams with ₹75,000 in Prizes closed on 31 Jul 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
This is a prize-based competition rather than a grant, loan or investment programme, so there is no seed capital, equity cheque or stipend involved.
- Prize pool: A total of ₹75,000 in prizes is on offer for the winning teams.
- Training: Participants receive AI training conducted by experts.
- Mentorship: Teams get project mentorship through the two-month programme.
- Finale platform: The leading 24 teams compete at the Grand Finale held at Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram.
- No equity: Since rewards come as competition prizes, no stake or ownership is taken in any participant's work.
The programme does not state how the ₹75,000 is split between the winning teams or across prize positions.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to NERDS 1.0: AI Hackathon for School Teams with ₹75,000 in Prizes, 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
NERDS 1.0: AI Hackathon for School Teams with ₹75,000 in Prizes is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹75,000. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is NERDS 1.0?
NERDS 1.0 is an AI hackathon organised by Kokos AI for school students in India. It pairs roughly two months of AI training and project mentorship with a competitive final round, and it is presented as the country's first AI hackathon aimed at the school segment.
Who is eligible to take part in NERDS 1.0?
Only school students. Entries are accepted as teams of two to four members, and every member must be a school student. College students, working professionals and independent founders are not eligible. No particular state, board or type of school is listed as a requirement.
Can I register on my own?
No. Individual registrations are not accepted. You need a team of at least two and at most four members to enter NERDS 1.0.
How much can a winning team receive?
Prizes worth a total of ₹75,000 are on offer for the winning teams. The programme does not specify how that amount is divided among winners or between first, second and other positions.
What is the last date to register?
Registration closes on 31 July 2026. Entries are made through the official Unstop listing for the hackathon.
Where is the Grand Finale and who gets to compete there?
The Grand Finale is held at Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram, and only the leading 24 teams qualify for it. A precise finale date has not been announced; the one confirmed date in the programme is the 31 July 2026 registration deadline.
What does the two-month programme actually involve?
The hackathon runs across roughly two months. It begins with AI training delivered by experts and mentorship on the teams' projects, and it ends with the top 24 teams competing at Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram.
Does NERDS 1.0 take equity or a stake in my work?
No. NERDS 1.0 is a competition with cash prizes, not an investment or incubation programme, and nothing in the programme details mentions equity, ownership or any stake being taken in participants' projects.
Do I need DPIIT recognition or MSME registration to apply?
No. Those requirements belong to startup funding schemes meant for registered companies. NERDS 1.0 is a school-level competition, and eligibility rests only on being a school student in a team of two to four members.
How do I apply for NERDS 1.0?
Applications are made online through the official Unstop page for NERDS 1.0 (Kokos AI Pvt Ltd). You register your team through that listing before 31 July 2026. No other application route is mentioned.
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