NextGen Innovation2026 — Global Online Hackathon on Devpost — Frequently Asked Questions

It is an online innovation hackathon organised by Innovation Hacks and hosted on Devpost. Participants from anywhere in the world build a technology project in one of three tracks — Health, Machine Learning/AI, or Web — and submit it for judging. It is a competition, not a grant or investment programme.

The build period opens on July 11, 2026 and runs until August 8, 2026. Registration and project submission both close on August 8, 2026, which is the date to plan around. The entire event is remote, so you work at your own pace within that window.

Entry is open to all. The organisers state there are no geographic restrictions, and they name developers, designers, students and entrepreneurs as the expected participants. Indian individuals and teams are welcome on the same terms as everyone else, and no DPIIT or MSME registration, entity type, sector or company-stage requirement applies.

No. The organisers list the cash prize pool as $0. Instead, there are three non-cash prizes awarded to the Grand Champion, the First Runner-Up and the Second Runner-Up.

There are three prize tiers. The Grand Champion receives Emergent Pro Access, 1,000 API credits, a Premium Certificate of Achievement, a Devpost Verified Badge and winner recognition. The First Runner-Up receives 500 API credits, a Premium Certificate, a Devpost Verified Badge and recognition for excellence. The Second Runner-Up receives 200 API credits, a Premium Certificate, a Devpost Verified Badge and special recognition.

You pick one of three tracks: Health, Machine Learning/AI, or Web. The Health track covers technology for healthcare problems, the Machine Learning/AI track is for projects built around ML and AI methods, and the Web track is for web-based products and tools. Projects should tackle practical, real-world problems.

Judges score submissions on three criteria: innovation, technical execution and impact. Projects are evaluated within the track they were entered in, and the three awards are decided from those assessments after the deadline.

Both are fine. The organisers do not mention any team size restriction, and the event is described as open to all, so you can take part solo or as part of a team.

No equity or ownership stake is involved — the rewards are API credits, certificates, badges and recognition rather than investment, and no entry fee is listed in the programme details. This is a competition, not a funding round.

Register through the official Devpost page at https://nextgen-innovation-2026.devpost.com/ and submit your project before the deadline of August 8, 2026. There is no separate application form described beyond the Devpost registration.

No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for NextGen Innovation2026 — Global Online Hackathon on Devpost, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.