Open Innovation Hackathon 2026 — ₹1.2L Prize Pool, Hyderabad
A 24-hour offline hackathon at Malla Reddy Deemed to be University, Hyderabad on 22–23 August 2026, with a ₹1,20,000 prize pool. Open to undergraduate and postgraduate students across India.
- Funding amount
- ₹1.2L (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (21 Aug 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
The Open Innovation Hackathon is a 24-hour, on-campus build sprint held on 22–23 August 2026 at Malla Reddy Deemed to be University, Hyderabad. It runs as part of HakITxMRDU'26, the university's annual inter-college technical festival, and gives student teams the room to turn their own idea into a working prototype.
What sets the format apart is the absence of a brief. Organisers have not published themes or problem statements, so each team picks its own domain and decides which problem is worth solving — the result can be software, hardware or a blend of both. Internet access is arranged on site so teams can research and develop across the full 24 hours.
This is a student-only competition. Undergraduates and postgraduates from any recognised Indian college or university may enter, from any branch or discipline, and a valid college ID has to be carried during the event. Teams consist of 2 to 4 members, and mixed teams drawn from different colleges or departments are allowed.
Entry closes on 21 August 2026, and registration is handled through the official Unstop page for the hackathon.
Highlights
- 24-hour offline hackathon at Malla Reddy Deemed to be University, Hyderabad on 22–23 August 2026
- ₹1,20,000 (₹1.20 Lakh) prize pool, with the top team's award stated at ₹1.20 Lakh
- Open to undergraduate and postgraduate students of any recognised Indian college or university
- Teams of 2 to 4 members; inter-college and inter-department teams permitted
- No fixed themes or problem statements — teams choose their own domain, software or hardware
- Registration closes on 21 August 2026 through the official Unstop page
Who can apply
Participation is limited to students — this hackathon is not open to working professionals or companies.
- Study level: undergraduate and postgraduate students.
- Institution: any recognised college or university in India. There is no restriction by branch or discipline.
- Teams: 2 to 4 members, and teams may be formed across colleges and departments.
- One team per person: a participant can register with only one team.
- ID check: every participant must carry a valid college ID during the event.
Team composition is locked once registration closes. Any change after that point needs the organisers' approval.
Open Innovation Hackathon 2026 — ₹1.2L Prize Pool, Hyderabad 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 Open Innovation Hackathon 2026 — ₹1.2L Prize Pool, Hyderabad closed on 21 Aug 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 competition rather than a grant or investment, so no equity is taken and nothing has to be repaid.
- Prize pool: ₹1,20,000 (₹1.20 Lakh) in total, with the top team's award listed at ₹1.20 Lakh.
- Certificates: winner and runner-up certificates, plus participation certificates for all eligible participants.
- Special recognition: judges may separately acknowledge outstanding innovation, technical excellence or social impact.
Internet access is provided at the venue for research and development during the event.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Assessment rests entirely on what teams build and present during the event — there is no separate screening round described by the organisers.
- Build phase: teams ideate, design and develop their project across the 24 hours on 22–23 August 2026.
- Presentation: each team demonstrates a working prototype or proof of concept.
- Scoring: projects are judged on innovation, technical excellence and social impact.
- Decision: the judges' verdict is final and binding.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Open Innovation Hackathon 2026 — ₹1.2L Prize Pool, Hyderabad, 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
Open Innovation Hackathon 2026 — ₹1.2L Prize Pool, Hyderabad is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹1.2L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How much money can a team win at the Open Innovation Hackathon?
The organisers list a total prize pool of ₹1,20,000, which is ₹1.20 Lakh, and the top team's award is stated at ₹1.20 Lakh. Beyond the cash prize, winner and runner-up certificates are given, and every eligible participant receives a participation certificate. Judges may also hand out special recognition for outstanding innovation, technical excellence or social impact.
Who is eligible to take part?
Undergraduate and postgraduate students from any recognised Indian college or university can participate. Every branch and discipline is welcome, so there is no restriction on what you are studying. You must carry a valid college ID during the event, since it is held offline at the campus in Hyderabad.
What is the last date to register?
Registration closes on 21 August 2026. The hackathon itself runs the next day onwards, on 22–23 August 2026, so you need to have your team registered before the deadline to take part in the build.
How many members should a team have, and can I team up with students from other colleges?
A team must have between 2 and 4 members. Inter-college and inter-department teams are explicitly allowed, so you can build with friends from a different institution or a different branch. One person can register with only one team, and team composition cannot be changed after the registration deadline unless the organisers approve it.
Does the hackathon take equity in my project?
No. This is a competition with cash prizes, not an investment programme, so no equity stake is taken in your idea or project and there is nothing to repay. The rewards are the prize money, certificates and any special recognition the judges decide to give.
Are there fixed themes or problem statements I have to follow?
There are none. The organisers have not set predefined themes, so teams have complete freedom to identify a real-world problem and build a solution in any domain. The output can be a software product, a hardware build or a hybrid of the two.
Can I work on an idea I already had before the event?
Yes. Pre-existing ideas are permitted. What the organisers expect is that the implementation and development work primarily happens during the hackathon itself, so the project you present should be built largely within the 24-hour window.
What should my team bring to the venue?
Teams are expected to bring their own laptops and any development equipment or hardware components they need for their build. Internet access for research and development is provided at the event, and each participant should carry a valid college ID.
What happens if a team copies someone else's work?
Any form of plagiarism, cheating or copying another team's work leads to immediate disqualification. Teams are also expected to maintain professional and ethical conduct throughout the event.
How are the projects judged?
Judging focuses on three things: innovation, technical excellence and social impact. Teams present a working prototype or proof of concept, and the judges' decision is final and binding.
Is DPIIT or MSME registration required to apply?
No such registration is mentioned in the eligibility rules. This is a student hackathon, so what matters is your enrolment at a recognised college or university, the size of your team and a valid college ID at the venue.
How and where do I apply?
Applications are made through the official Unstop listing for the Open Innovation Hackathon, hosted by Malla Reddy Deemed to be University. Registration on that page closes on 21 August 2026.
How do I apply for Open Innovation Hackathon 2026 — ₹1.2L Prize Pool, Hyderabad?
Apply directly through the official application link on this page. Review the eligibility criteria and prepare your startup documents before you begin.
Alternatives to Open Innovation Hackathon 2026 — ₹1.2L Prize Pool, Hyderabad
Not sure Open Innovation Hackathon 2026 — ₹1.2L Prize Pool, Hyderabad is the right fit, or already applied? These are other grants open to Indian startups that founders shortlist alongside it.
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