Road to Devcon — IIT Roorkee Ethereum Hackathon, $300 Prize Pool
A one-day Ethereum hackathon hosted at IIT Roorkee on 8 August 2026, open only to enrolled IIT Roorkee students and building towards Devcon 8 in Mumbai.
- Funding amount
- Varies by program
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (8 Aug 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
Road to Devcon is a student hackathon held on the IIT Roorkee campus. It sits inside Road to Devcon, an Ethereum Foundation initiative that strings together community events in the run-up to Devcon 8 — the Foundation's flagship developer conference — which arrives in Mumbai in 2026.
Over a single day, 8 August 2026, participants at IIT Roorkee get a full window — 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM UTC — to build on Ethereum, working with smart contracts and decentralised applications. It is an in-person event, not a remote one, and judging plus results happen once the day's building wraps up.
Devcon and Geode Labs sponsor the hackathon, with Geode Labs working in blockchain infrastructure. Their backing may bring prizes, mentorship or networking openings to those taking part, though the listing confirms the sponsorship without itemising every benefit.
This is a competition rather than a funding scheme. There is no grant, no equity handed over and nothing to repay — the reward for the strongest projects is a $300 prize pool shared among the winning teams.
Registration runs through Devfolio. The listing date to note is 8 August 2026, and since space may be capped, getting an entry in early is sensible.
Highlights
- Single-day, in-person Ethereum hackathon at IIT Roorkee on 8 August 2026, running 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM UTC.
- Restricted to students currently enrolled at IIT Roorkee — undergraduate and postgraduate alike.
- $300 prize pool split among the winning teams, with no equity taken and nothing to repay.
- Teams of 1 to 3 can enter, and registration on Devfolio is free.
- Run by IIT Roorkee as part of the Ethereum Foundation's Road to Devcon initiative, ahead of Devcon 8 in Mumbai.
- Sponsored by Devcon and Geode Labs, which may add prizes, mentorship or networking access.
Who can apply
Participation is tied to one campus. Only students who are currently enrolled at IIT Roorkee can take part in this hackathon.
- Enrolled IIT Roorkee students only — both undergraduate and postgraduate students qualify.
- An interest in building on Ethereum — the event suits those drawn to blockchain, smart contracts and decentralised applications.
- Teams of 1 to 3 — enter alone or with up to two teammates.
- No industry, state, entity-type, DPIIT or MSME conditions appear in the programme details; everything rests on your IIT Roorkee enrolment.
Road to Devcon — IIT Roorkee Ethereum Hackathon, $300 Prize Pool 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 Road to Devcon — IIT Roorkee Ethereum Hackathon, $300 Prize Pool closed on 8 Aug 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
Nothing on offer here is an investment or a loan. The money is a competition prize for the best projects built on the day.
- $300 prize pool shared by the winning teams — the total is confirmed, but the listing does not spell out how it is divided among winners.
- No equity taken and nothing to repay — it is a hackathon payoff, not reimbursable or restricted funding.
- Free to enter — registration costs nothing, so the only thing you commit is your time on 8 August 2026.
- Possible sponsor extras — Devcon and Geode Labs back the event and may bring prizes, mentorship or networking opportunities alongside the prize money.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Assessment is built around the hackathon day itself rather than a long application cycle.
- Register on Devfolio — sign up through the official Devfolio listing to claim a place in the event.
- Attend in person at IIT Roorkee — the hackathon is not run remotely, so you need to be on campus.
- Build during the day — teams work on their projects across the 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM UTC window on 8 August 2026.
- Judging and results — projects are judged at the end of the day, with results following once judging closes and prize money going to the top teams.
Capacity may be limited, so early registration is advisable.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Road to Devcon — IIT Roorkee Ethereum Hackathon, $300 Prize Pool, 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.
Frequently asked questions
What is Road to Devcon?
It is a hackathon held at IIT Roorkee and staged as part of Road to Devcon, an Ethereum Foundation initiative that links together community events ahead of Devcon 8 — the Foundation's flagship developer conference — which takes place in Mumbai in 2026. Devcon and Geode Labs sponsor the hackathon, and Geode Labs works in blockchain infrastructure.
Who is eligible to take part?
Only students currently enrolled at IIT Roorkee. Both undergraduate and postgraduate students can join. The event is aimed at people interested in blockchain, smart contracts and decentralised applications, so some appetite for building on Ethereum helps. Students from other institutions cannot participate.
How much prize money can I win?
The prize pool is $300, and the winning teams share it. The listing states the total but does not describe how the amount is divided between winners. Because Devcon and Geode Labs sponsor the event, participants may also see prizes, mentorship or networking opportunities beyond the cash pool.
When is the hackathon, and what is the application deadline?
The hackathon runs on 8 August 2026 from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM UTC, in person at IIT Roorkee. The date shown for registrations is 8 August 2026. Since capacity may be limited, interested students should register well before then.
Does the programme take equity in my project?
No. This is a competition, and what winners receive is prize money. There is no equity stake given away, no repayment obligation, and no stated restriction on how the prize is used. It is not a grant or an investment.
Is there a fee to register?
Registration costs nothing — entry is free. Your only real commitment is the time you spend building during the single-day event, and teams of one to three members can take part.
How big can my team be?
Teams may have between one and three members. There is no requirement to team up, so a solo entry is fine if you prefer to build alone.
Do I need DPIIT or MSME registration?
No. Neither DPIIT nor MSME registration is mentioned in the programme details. The only eligibility condition stated is being a currently enrolled student of IIT Roorkee.
What kind of project should I build?
Something that fits the event's Ethereum and Web3 focus — smart contracts and decentralised applications are the natural targets. The hackathon is designed for student developers who want to build on Ethereum and explore Web3 technologies during the day.
How and where do I apply?
Registration happens on the Devfolio platform at https://road-to-devcon-iitr.devfolio.co/. Sign up there to secure your spot for the 8 August 2026 event at IIT Roorkee.
How do I apply for Road to Devcon — IIT Roorkee Ethereum Hackathon, $300 Prize Pool?
Apply directly through the official application link on this page. Review the eligibility criteria and prepare your startup documents before you begin.
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