TA Hackathon — ₹1.5L Cash Prize for HR & TA Professionals
India's first hackathon for TA and HR leaders – solve hiring bottlenecks, compete live at TechHR India 2026, and win up to ₹1.5 lakh.
- Funding amount
- ₹1.5L (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closes today
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
TA Hackathon is India's first hackathon designed exclusively for Talent Acquisition and HR professionals. Traditionally, TA teams use hackathons to spot talent; this event turns that idea around, challenging the TA community itself to solve the hiring problems they face every day. It's a chance to step back, rethink processes, and come up with practical, innovative solutions.
The competition is open to working professionals across India in Talent Acquisition, HR, and people roles. Whether you're a TA leader, recruiter, HRBP, HR-tech enthusiast, or people analytics expert, if you've ever thought there's a better way to hire, this is for you. Independent recruiters and those between jobs are also welcome.
The format has two stages. Stage 1 is fully online: register, unlock the case study, and submit a 3-minute video presentation by 3rd August 2026, 11:00 AM IST. The top 4 teams move directly to the Grand Finale. Results come out on 3rd August by 5:00 PM IST. Stage 2 is the Grand Finale held on 6th August at TechHR India 2026 in Delhi, where 6 teams (4 shortlisted + 2 wildcard teams picked on-site) pitch live in front of a CHRO jury and fellow HR leaders. Each team gets 5 minutes to present, followed by jury Q&A. The audience votes live along with the jury's scoring. Winners are announced in two categories: Jury Winner and Audience Winner.
Prize Pool
- Jury Winner: ₹1,00,000 cash + trophy + certificate
- Audience Winner: ₹50,000 cash + trophy + certificate
- All 6 finalists: Certificate of Recognition from Unstop and People Matters
- All participants: Participation Certificate
- Shortlisted teams get complimentary passes to TechHR India
The hackathon is organised by People Matters, a leading platform for HR and talent management in India, known for hosting TechHR India – one of the country's largest HR tech conferences. Registration happens on Unstop, a popular platform for competitions and hiring challenges.
To apply, register on Unstop, build your team (1–3 members), unlock the case study, and submit a 3-minute MP4 video by the deadline. If shortlisted, you must be present at TechHR India on 6th August to pitch live.
Highlights
- India's first hackathon exclusively for TA and HR professionals
- Total prize pool of ₹1.5L in cash – Jury Winner ₹1,00,000, Audience Winner ₹50,000
- Two-stage format: online video submission, then live pitching at TechHR India 2026 in Delhi
- Open to working professionals across India – solo or teams of up to 3
- Registration on Unstop; deadline for Stage 1 submission is 3rd August 2026, 11:00 AM IST
- All finalists get certificates and complimentary passes to TechHR India
Who can apply
Open to working professionals across India in Talent Acquisition, HR, and people roles. You can participate solo or as a team of up to 3 members. Independent recruiters and professionals between jobs are eligible to apply.
TA Hackathon — ₹1.5L Cash Prize for HR & TA Professionals 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
Applications for TA Hackathon — ₹1.5L Cash Prize for HR & TA Professionals are open and the current deadline is Closes today. Applications are closing soon, so prepare your documents early. Deadlines can change — always reconfirm on the official source before submitting.
What the funding covers
The competition offers a total of ₹1.5 lakh in cash prizes, split between two winners: the Jury Winner receives ₹1,00,000 cash, and the Audience Winner receives ₹50,000 cash. Both winners also get a trophy and a certificate. All six finalists receive a Certificate of Recognition from Unstop and People Matters, and every participant gets a Participation Certificate. Shortlisted teams receive complimentary passes to TechHR India, giving them access to one of India's largest HR technology conferences.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the official portal. Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Stage 1 – Online Submission: Register on Unstop, unlock the case study, and submit a 3-minute MP4 video presentation by 3rd August 2026, 11:00 AM IST. Submissions are evaluated based on four criteria: Problem Framing (identifying real bottlenecks and root causes), Solution & Feasibility (practical within a real team's budget), Innovation & Differentiation (fresh perspective), and Impact & Storytelling (measurable impact and memorable presentation). The top 4 teams are shortlisted for the Grand Finale. Results are announced on 3rd August by 5:00 PM IST.
Stage 2 – Grand Finale (6th August at TechHR India, Delhi): 6 teams compete – the 4 shortlisted teams plus 2 wildcard teams selected on-site. Each team delivers a 5-minute live presentation followed by a jury Q&A. The audience votes live alongside the jury's evaluation, and winners are announced in two categories: Jury Winner and Audience Winner.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to TA Hackathon — ₹1.5L Cash Prize for HR & TA Professionals, 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
TA Hackathon — ₹1.5L Cash Prize for HR & TA Professionals is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹1.5L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding or prize money is offered?
The total prize pool is up to ₹1.5 lakh in cash. The Jury Winner takes home ₹1,00,000, and the Audience Winner gets ₹50,000, each along with a trophy and certificate.
What is the application deadline?
You must register and submit your 3-minute video presentation by 3rd August 2026, 11:00 AM IST. Results for the shortlist are announced the same day by 5:00 PM IST.
Who is eligible to apply?
The hackathon is open to working professionals across India in Talent Acquisition, HR, and people roles. That includes TA leaders, recruiters, HRBPs, HR-tech professionals, and people analytics experts. Independent recruiters and professionals between jobs can also participate. You can join solo or as a team of up to 3 members.
Is there any sector or industry restriction?
No specific industry restriction is mentioned. The competition is open to any working professional in HR, TA, or people roles across India.
Do I need to be registered with DPIIT or MSME?
No. DPIIT or MSME registration is not required for this competition.
Does the program take equity?
No. This is a competition, not an equity investment. Winners receive cash prizes and certificates, with no equity or ownership stake taken.
What are the evaluation criteria?
Submissions are assessed on four criteria: Problem Framing (identifying real bottlenecks and root causes), Solution & Feasibility (practical within a real team's budget), Innovation & Differentiation (fresh perspective), and Impact & Storytelling (measurable impact and memorable presentation).
What is the format of the Grand Finale?
The Grand Finale takes place on 6th August at TechHR India 2026 in Delhi. Six teams – 4 shortlisted from Stage 1 plus 2 wildcard teams selected on-site – pitch live for 5 minutes, followed by jury Q&A. The audience votes live, and winners are declared in two categories: Jury Winner and Audience Winner.
What documents or materials do I need to apply?
You need to register on Unstop, unlock the case study, and submit a 3-minute MP4 video presentation. No other documents are mentioned as required.
How and where do I apply?
Apply through the Unstop platform. Visit the official competition page, register, build your team (1–3 members), unlock the case study, and upload your video by the deadline. Shortlisted teams must attend TechHR India on 6th August to pitch live.
How do I apply for TA Hackathon — ₹1.5L Cash Prize for HR & TA Professionals?
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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