Automation Arena (n8n) & Mangathon — MVSREC Student Challenge
A two-track challenge from MVSR Engineering College, Hyderabad: build a working n8n automation workflow, or create an AI-generated manga story. The Automation Arena carries a ₹6,500 cash prize pool.
- Funding amount
- ₹6,500 (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- MVSR Engineering College (Academic)
- Application deadline
- Closed (17 Apr 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
MVSR Engineering College (MVSREC), Hyderabad is running a two-track student challenge as part of Samavarthan 2026. One track is built for people who want to make software talk to other software; the other is for people who want to tell a story with AI-generated art. Both are hands-on, beginner-friendly and open across disciplines.
The first track, The Automation Arena (n8n Edition), is the technical one. It opens with an introductory workshop on n8n, covering triggers, nodes, integrations and how a workflow is actually put together. After the workshop, participants move into a challenge phase and have to build a functional automation that solves a real-world problem. You submit the working workflow along with a short explanation of it.
The second track, Mangathon, sits somewhere between creative and semi-technical. A genre and a moral are handed to you at the start, and from there you use prompt engineering to produce 10 AI-generated manga frames with a coherent story flow and consistent characters. Your submission is the 10 frames, an explanation of the story, and the prompts you used.
The challenge runs from 10 April to 18 April 2026 at the MVSR Engineering College campus in Hyderabad. Attendees are asked to bring their own laptops. Registration happens in stages: first a form on Unstop, then a private Luma Form, followed by manual payment verification. Approvals are processed every day, and a QR code is sent once the payment has been verified. The last date to register is 17 April 2026.
On the prize side, a total cash pool of ₹6,500 has been set aside for The Automation Arena. Mangathon winners take home exclusive anime collectibles.
Highlights
- Two tracks: The Automation Arena (n8n workflow automation) and Mangathon (AI manga creation)
- ₹6,500 total cash prize pool for The Automation Arena; Mangathon winners get exclusive anime collectibles
- Open to undergraduate and postgraduate students of any discipline, individually or in teams of up to 2
- No prior n8n or AI image-generation experience required — an introductory workshop is included
- Event runs 10–18 April 2026 at MVSR Engineering College, Hyderabad; registration closes 17 April 2026
- Bring your own laptop; register on Unstop, then complete the private Luma Form and payment verification
Who can apply
Entry is open to students studying at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and there is no restriction on the discipline you come from — engineering, arts, commerce or anything else.
You should be reasonably comfortable using a computer and the internet. That is the only baseline.
- No prior experience needed with automation platforms such as n8n, or with AI image-generation tools. Beginners and experienced participants compete on the same footing.
- You can take part solo or in a team of up to 2 members.
- You will need access to your own laptop for the on-campus sessions.
There is no requirement to have a registered company, DPIIT recognition or MSME registration — this is a student competition, and eligibility rests on your student status.
Automation Arena (n8n) & Mangathon — MVSREC Student Challenge 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 Automation Arena (n8n) & Mangathon — MVSREC Student Challenge closed on 17 Apr 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
This is a prize-based competition rather than a grant or investment, so what you take away is a mix of cash, collectibles and practical skill.
- The Automation Arena (n8n Edition) has a total cash prize pool of ₹6,500 distributed among its winners.
- Mangathon winners receive exclusive anime collectibles instead of cash.
- Every participant gets access to an introductory n8n workshop covering triggers, nodes, workflow design and integrations — useful groundwork if you have never built an automation before.
- You finish with a portfolio piece: a working automation workflow, or a set of 10 AI-generated manga frames with the prompt set behind them.
Because the rewards are competition prizes, no equity is taken and there is no repayment obligation attached to winning.
About the provider
Automation Arena (n8n) & Mangathon — MVSREC Student Challenge is offered by MVSR Engineering College, an academic institution. It is delivered directly by MVSR Engineering College as a competition. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Automation Arena (n8n) & Mangathon — MVSREC Student Challenge, 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
Automation Arena (n8n) & Mangathon — MVSREC Student Challenge is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹6,500. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is The Automation Arena (n8n Edition) & Mangathon?
It is a single competition with two separate tracks, organised by MVSR Engineering College (MVSREC), Hyderabad as part of Samavarthan 2026. The Automation Arena (n8n Edition) is the technical track, where you learn n8n and then build a working automation workflow that solves a real-world problem. Mangathon is the creative track, where you are given a genre and a moral and then produce a 10-frame AI-generated manga story. You choose the track you want to compete in.
How much can I win?
The Automation Arena (n8n Edition) has a total cash prize pool of ₹6,500, shared among its winners. Mangathon does not carry cash prizes — its winners receive exclusive anime collectibles instead.
Who is eligible to participate?
Any undergraduate or postgraduate student, from any academic discipline, can take part. You need basic computer and internet knowledge, and that is the whole bar. You can enter on your own or as a team of up to 2 members.
Do I need prior experience with n8n or AI image generation?
No. The organisers explicitly make both tracks open to beginners. If you have never touched n8n, the introductory workshop walks you through triggers, nodes, workflow design and integrations before the challenge begins. On the Mangathon side, no previous experience with AI image tools is expected either — you will be using prompt engineering to build your frames.
What are the important dates?
The event runs from 10 April to 18 April 2026 at the MVSR Engineering College campus in Hyderabad. Registration closes on 17 April 2026, so make sure your form and payment verification are done before that date. Approvals are processed daily.
How do I apply?
Registration happens in three steps. First, complete the registration form on Unstop. Next, fill out the private Luma Form. Then your payment is verified manually. Once that verification is through, a QR code is sent to you. Because approvals are handled on a daily basis, it is a good idea to start the process well before the 17 April 2026 deadline.
What do I have to submit in each track?
For The Automation Arena (n8n Edition), you submit a working automation workflow plus a brief explanation of it. For Mangathon, you submit the 10 AI-generated manga frames, an explanation of the story, and the prompts you used to generate the images.
Can I participate as a team?
Yes. Participation is allowed either individually or as a team of up to 2 members.
Do I need to bring anything to the campus?
Participants are asked to bring their own laptops. The event takes place at MVSR Engineering College in Hyderabad between 10 and 18 April 2026.
Is DPIIT recognition or MSME registration required?
No. This is a college-level student competition, not a government funding scheme, so there is no DPIIT or MSME requirement and no need to have a registered company. Your eligibility rests on being an undergraduate or postgraduate student.
Does the competition take equity in my work or idea?
No. The rewards here are cash prizes and anime collectibles, so there is no equity, shareholding or investment component involved in taking part or in winning.
What is the application deadline for Automation Arena (n8n) & Mangathon — MVSREC Student Challenge?
The application deadline for Automation Arena (n8n) & Mangathon — MVSREC Student Challenge is Closed (17 Apr 2026). Deadlines can be revised, so reconfirm on the official source before applying.
Who offers Automation Arena (n8n) & Mangathon — MVSREC Student Challenge?
Automation Arena (n8n) & Mangathon — MVSREC Student Challenge is offered by MVSR Engineering College, an academic institution. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.
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