TestAutothon 2026 — ₹1L Testing Hackathon in Bengaluru
An offline software-testing hackathon by STeP-IN Forum in Bengaluru, offering a ₹1,00,000 prize pool to QA and automation testing talent.
- Funding amount
- ₹1L (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (8 Sept 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
STeP-IN Forum organises TestAutothon 2026, a hands-on contest that brings testers together on the ground in Bengaluru. The hackathon window opens on June 1, 2026 and runs through September 8, 2026, with the closing event expected to be hosted in Bengaluru.
This is a competition rather than an investment round. Entrants work through practical challenges built around testing, and a panel of industry experts evaluates what they produce. A prize pool of ₹1,00,000 in cash — advertised as up to ₹1L — is shared among the strongest performers.
The contest is written for the testing community: people in quality assurance roles, engineers who build test automation, and anyone who takes software testing seriously. You can register as a solo entrant or as part of a team, and the organisers have not prescribed a team size. They have not set any geographic restriction either, although the event is delivered offline, so being able to attend in Bengaluru matters.
Applications are submitted through the official event page. Registration shuts on September 8, 2026, the same date the hackathon window ends, so there is no gap between the final day of the window and the entry cut-off.
Highlights
- Offline software-testing hackathon run by STeP-IN Forum in Bengaluru.
- Prize pool of ₹1,00,000 in cash, advertised as up to ₹1L.
- Open to QA professionals, automation testers and testing enthusiasts.
- Enter as an individual or as a team — no team size has been specified.
- Hackathon window runs June 1 to September 8, 2026.
- Registration closes September 8, 2026 via the official event page.
Who can apply
TestAutothon 2026 is built for the software testing fraternity. If you work in quality assurance, handle test automation, or simply follow testing closely, you are the intended participant.
- QA professionals — anyone holding a quality assurance role.
- Automation testers — engineers who write and maintain automated test suites.
- Testing enthusiasts — people with a serious interest in software testing, even without a formal QA title.
Entries may come from a single person or from a team. No team size has been fixed by the organisers, and no geographic restriction has been stated.
There is also no mention of DPIIT recognition, MSME registration, a registered company, or any founder-level condition. Those filters belong to startup funding schemes; this is an individual skills contest, so none of them apply here.
TestAutothon 2026 — ₹1L Testing Hackathon in Bengaluru 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 TestAutothon 2026 — ₹1L Testing Hackathon in Bengaluru closed on 8 Sept 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
TestAutothon 2026 rewards winners with cash rather than capital, and it does so through a contest format.
- Prize money — a total of ₹1,00,000 is on offer, listed as up to ₹1L.
- No equity, no repayment — because the reward is a prize, participants give up no stake in any business and owe nothing back.
- Expert evaluation — entries are assessed by industry expert judges, so participants get their work seen by senior testing practitioners.
The published details do not specify how the amount is divided between first place, runners-up or any other positions, and no non-cash perks or support packages have been listed.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to TestAutothon 2026 — ₹1L Testing Hackathon in Bengaluru, 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
TestAutothon 2026 — ₹1L Testing Hackathon in Bengaluru is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹1L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is TestAutothon 2026?
It is an offline software-testing hackathon run by STeP-IN Forum in Bengaluru. Participants take on practical testing challenges and are judged by experts drawn from the industry. The advertised reward is a prize pool of ₹1,00,000 in cash.
How much prize money is on offer?
The event advertises a total of ₹1,00,000, described as up to ₹1L. The organisers have not published how that sum is split between winners, so the exact amount a single participant or team can take home has not been declared.
Who is allowed to take part?
The contest is pitched at the testing community — QA professionals, automation testers and people with a strong interest in software testing. No other eligibility filter, such as a particular industry or company type, appears in the details provided.
Can I enter on my own, or do I need a team?
Both routes are open. Individual participants may apply, and teams are also permitted. No minimum or maximum team size has been mentioned anywhere in the listing.
What is the application deadline?
Registration closes on September 8, 2026. That is also the last day of the hackathon window, which opens on June 1, 2026 and finishes on September 8, 2026.
Is there any restriction on the state or country I am based in?
No geographic restriction has been stated by the organisers. Do bear in mind that the event is delivered offline, with the closing event expected to be held in Bengaluru, so you would need to be present physically to compete.
Does the programme take equity in my company or require repayment?
No. This is a competition and the reward is cash prize money, so nothing is surrendered in equity and nothing must be paid back. That makes it very different from an equity-based accelerator or a loan scheme.
Do I need DPIIT recognition or MSME registration?
Neither is mentioned in the eligibility details. Such requirements are typical of government startup funding schemes, whereas this competition is about testing skills, and no such registration has been asked for.
How and where do I apply?
Applications go through the official event page at https://internshala.com/competitions/testautothon-2026-step-in-forum/. Complete your registration there before the September 8, 2026 cut-off.
Who is eligible to apply for TestAutothon 2026 — ₹1L Testing Hackathon in Bengaluru?
TestAutothon 2026 — ₹1L Testing Hackathon in Bengaluru is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.
How do I apply for TestAutothon 2026 — ₹1L Testing Hackathon in Bengaluru?
Apply directly through the official application link on this page. Review the eligibility criteria and prepare your startup documents before you begin.
Alternatives to TestAutothon 2026 — ₹1L Testing Hackathon in Bengaluru
Not sure TestAutothon 2026 — ₹1L Testing Hackathon in Bengaluru is the right fit, or already applied? These are other grants open to Indian startups that founders shortlist alongside it.
Questions from founders
Ask anything about eligibility, documents or the process — answered by the community.
No questions yet — be the first to ask.