Port Mortem 2026 — Code Resurrection Hackathon (₹1.7L Prizes)
A 72-hour online hackathon by Hackathon Raptors: port a real open-source project into another language with AI help and compete for up to ₹1.7L in prizes.
- Funding amount
- ₹1.7L (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (31 Jul 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
Port Mortem 2026 is a 72-hour online hackathon run by Hackathon Raptors. The theme is code migration: rather than building something new from scratch, every participant picks an existing open-source project and rebuilds it in a different programming language, using AI coding assistants and modern developer tools to speed the work up.
The bar is a faithful, working port rather than a rough sketch. The rewritten codebase is expected to behave the way the original did, stay correct, and hold up on engineering quality. The event is fully remote, so geography and affiliation are not barriers — students, working engineers, researchers and independent developers anywhere in the world can enter.
You can compete on your own or as part of a team of up to four people. Teammates may come from different colleges, organisations or countries, and cross-disciplinary teams are allowed.
Registration opens on 29 June 2026. The listed deadline is 31 July 2026, the day the hackathon begins and the 72-hour build window opens. Submissions close on 3 August 2026, judging runs from 3 to 13 August 2026, and the winners are announced on 14 August 2026. Prize money totals up to ₹1.7L, spread across five awards.
Highlights
- 72-hour online hackathon organised by Hackathon Raptors, open to participants worldwide
- Participants port a real open-source project into a different programming language with AI assistance
- Prize pool of up to ₹1.7L across five awards, including an $800 grand prize
- Registration opens 29 June 2026; the hackathon starts 31 July and submissions close 3 August 2026
- Enter solo or with a team of 1–4 people from any college, organisation or country
- Eight migration tracks on offer, including an Open Pair option for any language to any language
Who can apply
Port Mortem 2026 is open to anyone, anywhere — there is no restriction by country, college, employer or discipline.
- Students, professionals, researchers and software developers from around the world can enter.
- Solo participation is allowed. You do not need a team to register.
- Teams may have 1 to 4 members.
- Members can be drawn from any college, university, organisation or country, and inter-college or cross-disciplinary line-ups are permitted.
This is a skills competition rather than a company funding scheme, so no entity type, industry or state requirement applies. There is no mention of DPIIT or MSME registration being needed to take part.
Port Mortem 2026 — Code Resurrection Hackathon (₹1.7L 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 Port Mortem 2026 — Code Resurrection Hackathon (₹1.7L 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
The rewards are cash prizes, not an investment — entrants give up no equity and owe no repayment.
- 1st Place — Grand Prize: $800
- 2nd Place — Runner-Up: $400
- 3rd Place: $200
- Bug Catcher: $100
- Community Choice: $300
The total prize pool is worth up to ₹1.7L. Beyond the cash, participants finish the weekend with a substantial migrated codebase they can point to as proof of work.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
All development must happen inside the official 72-hour hackathon window. Work done outside that period does not count, and projects must be submitted by 3 August 2026.
Once submissions close, judging runs from 3 to 13 August 2026, after which the winners are announced on 14 August 2026.
Entries are assessed on the calibre of the port: whether the new codebase delivers the same functionality as the original project, whether it is behaviourally correct, and whether the engineering quality stands up.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Port Mortem 2026 — Code Resurrection Hackathon (₹1.7L 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
Port Mortem 2026 — Code Resurrection Hackathon (₹1.7L Prizes) is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹1.7L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is Port Mortem 2026?
It is a 72-hour online hackathon organised by Hackathon Raptors, built around AI-assisted software migration. Each participant or team takes a real open-source project and rewrites it in a different programming language, aiming to keep the original functionality intact while producing correct, well-engineered code.
How much prize money is on offer?
The prize pool is worth up to ₹1.7L in total. It is split across five awards: $800 for the 1st Place Grand Prize, $400 for 2nd Place Runner-Up, $200 for 3rd Place, $100 for the Bug Catcher award and $300 for Community Choice.
Does the hackathon take equity or a stake in my work?
No. Port Mortem 2026 is a competition, not an investment programme, so the rewards are cash prizes — there is no equity dilution and nothing to repay.
Who is eligible to take part?
The event is open to all. Students, working professionals, researchers and software developers from any country can join, and there is no requirement tied to a particular college, employer, industry or company registration. Solo entrants are just as welcome as teams.
Can I enter alone, or do I need a team?
You can do either. Solo participation is allowed, and teams may have anywhere between 1 and 4 members. Team members can come from different colleges, universities, organisations or countries, and cross-disciplinary teams are permitted.
What migration tracks can I choose from?
You pick one migration track for your project. The options are C → Rust, Zig → Rust, TypeScript → Go, Python → Rust, Go → Rust, JavaScript → Go, JavaScript → Rust, C → Zig, or the Open Pair track, which lets you move from any language to any language.
What are the key dates I should plan around?
Registration opens on 29 June 2026. The hackathon begins on 31 July 2026 — the listed deadline day — and runs for 72 hours, with submissions due by 3 August 2026. Judging takes place from 3 to 13 August 2026, and winners are announced on 14 August 2026.
Are AI coding assistants allowed during the hackathon?
Yes. AI coding assistants and other developer tools are permitted, which fits the event's AI-assisted migration theme. All development, however, has to be completed within the official hackathon period.
How do I apply or register?
Registration happens through the official event page on Unstop, where you can sign up individually or as a team. It is also worth joining the official Hackathon Raptors Discord server, which is used for announcements, rule clarifications and support during the event.
How are the projects judged?
Judging happens between 3 and 13 August 2026, with results announced on 14 August 2026. Entries are evaluated on the quality of the migration — whether the ported code preserves the original project's functionality, whether it is correct in behaviour, and whether the engineering quality is up to standard.
What is the application deadline for Port Mortem 2026 — Code Resurrection Hackathon (₹1.7L Prizes)?
The application deadline for Port Mortem 2026 — Code Resurrection Hackathon (₹1.7L Prizes) is Closed (31 Jul 2026). Deadlines can be revised, so reconfirm on the official source before applying.
Is DPIIT recognition required for Port Mortem 2026 — Code Resurrection Hackathon (₹1.7L Prizes)?
No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for Port Mortem 2026 — Code Resurrection Hackathon (₹1.7L Prizes), though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.
Alternatives to Port Mortem 2026 — Code Resurrection Hackathon (₹1.7L Prizes)
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