NGN Hacks 2026 — Free Online Hackathon, US$420 Prize Pool — Frequently Asked Questions

It is an online hackathon — the name stands for Next Generation Hacks — hosted on Devpost. The format is open-ended, which means you are free to build any project you are passionate about, with education and innovation as the general focus. It is designed so that complete beginners and experienced hackers can both take part, and it runs from 7 to 9 August 2026.

The deadline shown for the event is 9 August 2026, which is also its closing day. Registration is free and stays open right up until the hackathon ends, so there is no separate early cutoff to worry about.

The total cash prize pool is US$420. First place takes US$300, second place US$50 and third place US$20, while the Best Use of SelfCAD award carries another US$50. Winners also receive sponsor perks on top of the cash.

Everyone. No eligibility restrictions have been published: students, hobbyists and aspiring developers can all register, and people in India are explicitly welcome along with participants everywhere else. You can enter on your own or with a team, and you do not need to have done a hackathon before.

No. This is an open hackathon, not a government funding scheme, so DPIIT recognition, MSME/Udyam registration, company incorporation and similar paperwork are not required. You simply register on the Devpost page like any other participant.

Both routes are allowed. You may build your project on your own or work alongside a team, whichever suits you better.

No. The hackathon is deliberately open-ended and projects may span any theme or technology — the only broad steer is a focus on education and innovation. Specific tracks and the exact judging criteria have not been detailed by the organisers.

No. Because this is a competition rather than an investment or a loan, prize money does not have to be repaid and no equity stake in your project is taken.

On top of cash, the first-place winner gets US$300 in Featherless AI credits, second place gets a US$50 Siemens package, and third place gets a US$20 Mastercard giftcard; further sponsor perks are listed on the prize page. Everyone who takes part also leaves with hands-on experience, a finished project for a portfolio or CV, and access to keynote sessions from speakers such as a Y Combinator-backed founder and Mozilla's Chief Technology Officer.

Registration happens through the hackathon's Devpost listing at https://ngn-hacks-2026.devpost.com/. Signing up is free and remains open until the event ends on 9 August 2026.