StepOne AI Engine Buildathon — ₹1 Lakh Prize Hackathon by Reskilll
A national online hackathon by Reskilll challenging Indian builders to create AI engines for marketing automation, with ₹1 Lakh in prizes and a final pitching round for the top 10 teams.
- Funding amount
- Varies by program
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (2 May 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
The StepOne AI Engine Buildathon is a national, fully online hackathon run by Reskilll. Instead of an open-ended coding sprint, it sets a single clear brief: build an AI engine that works on marketing automation.
Participants develop their projects remotely, on their own setups, and aim to produce something that actually functions — code that takes over repetitive campaign work, improves how a brand engages its audience, or lifts the performance of marketing campaigns.
The event is built for India's builder community: working developers, data scientists, machine-learning practitioners and engineering students. It doubles as a talent showcase for StepOne, so strong work here can go beyond the scoreboard.
Everything closes on 2 May 2026, which serves as both the registration cut-off and the last date for handing in a project. There is no entry fee. Entries consist of a working prototype, supporting documentation and a walkthrough video, and the ten strongest teams are pulled forward into a pitching round.
Highlights
- National online hackathon organised by Reskilll, focused on AI for marketing automation.
- Prizes worth ₹1 Lakh are on offer, and entry is free.
- Registration and final project submission both close on 2 May 2026.
- The top 10 teams get shortlisted for a final pitching round.
- Open to Indian citizens and residents with AI/ML development skills — solo builders and teams are both welcome.
- Fully remote: everything, from building to submitting, happens online.
Who can apply
The buildathon is open to Indian citizens and residents. There is no state restriction, no sector restriction beyond the AI-for-marketing-automation brief, and no company or registration requirement — this is an individual competition, not a startup funding scheme.
It suits people who already have a solid grounding in AI/ML development: individual developers, data scientists, AI and machine-learning enthusiasts, and engineering students. You should be able to take a concept all the way through to a functional implementation.
No specific team size is laid down, so you can enter on your own or as part of a collaborative group.
StepOne AI Engine Buildathon — ₹1 Lakh Prize Hackathon by Reskilll 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 StepOne AI Engine Buildathon — ₹1 Lakh Prize Hackathon by Reskilll closed on 2 May 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
The headline reward is a prize pool worth ₹1 Lakh. Entering costs nothing — there is no registration or participation fee.
Beyond the cash prizes, the buildathon carries real opportunity:
- The top 10 teams are shortlisted and invited to a final pitching round.
- Select participants may be offered the chance to work on the AI-powered marketing platform that StepOne is building.
To be considered, teams submit a working prototype together with supporting documentation and a walkthrough video. Full judging criteria and submission guidelines are circulated once you register.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
The buildathon happens entirely online, so there is no on-site round and no travel involved.
- Register on the Reskilll platform. Judging criteria and submission guidelines are shared with you after registration.
- Build remotely. Develop your AI engine for marketing automation at your own pace before the cut-off.
- Submit by 2 May 2026. Each entry needs a working prototype, supporting documentation and a walkthrough video.
- Shortlisting. The top 10 teams are selected to move ahead.
- Final pitching round. Shortlisted teams are invited to pitch.
The detailed scoring rubric is shared with registered participants rather than published in advance, so treat the criteria you receive at registration as the definitive list.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to StepOne AI Engine Buildathon — ₹1 Lakh Prize Hackathon by Reskilll, 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 exactly is the StepOne AI Engine Buildathon?
It is a national-level online hackathon organised by Reskilll. The challenge is narrow on purpose: participants build AI engines aimed at marketing automation — systems that automate marketing processes, improve customer engagement, or optimise how campaigns perform. It is a competition rather than a funding or incubation programme.
How much funding or prize money is offered?
The prize pool is worth ₹1 Lakh. Take note that this is prize money awarded through a competition, not a grant or investment, and there is no entry fee to take part.
What is the application deadline?
2 May 2026. That date is the cut-off for both registration and project submission, so your prototype must be in by then.
Who is eligible to participate?
Indian citizens and residents with a strong background in AI/ML development. The event is pitched at individual developers, data scientists, AI and machine-learning enthusiasts, and engineering students who can conceptualise, design and implement a functional AI solution. There is no restriction by state, industry or company type.
Can I enter as an individual, or do I need a team?
Both routes are open. No specific team size has been specified, so you can work alone or collaborate with others. What matters is the quality of the AI engine you deliver.
Do I need DPIIT recognition or MSME registration?
No. Those registrations are relevant to government startup schemes, not to this buildathon. Participation here does not require DPIIT recognition, MSME registration, or an incorporated company.
Does the programme take equity in my project or startup?
No. There is no equity component — the rewards are competition prizes and the opportunity to pitch, not investment in exchange for a stake. It also costs nothing to enter.
What do I need to submit?
A working prototype of your AI engine, along with supporting documentation and a walkthrough video. The precise judging criteria and submission guidelines are provided to you after you register on the Reskilll platform.
What happens if my team makes the shortlist?
The top 10 teams are shortlisted and invited to a final pitching round. In addition, select participants may be offered the opportunity to work on building the AI-powered marketing platform that StepOne is developing.
Is the buildathon online, and how do I apply?
It is fully online — you build and submit remotely from anywhere in India. To apply, register through the official Reskilll platform at https://reskilll.com/hack/stepone before the 2 May 2026 deadline.
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