The Email Game — ₹1.6L Global Email & AI Hackathon — Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions founders most often ask about The Email Game — ₹1.6L Global Email & AI Hackathon — who qualifies, the funding amount, required documents and how the application works.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is The Email Game?
It is an online hackathon organised by WithAI Research that asks participants to build solutions around email — its security, its management and the way AI can be applied to it. The competition is hosted on Devpost, runs completely over the internet, and carries a prize pool of ₹1.6L.
How much prize money is on offer?
The total pool is ₹1.6L, which works out to roughly ₹1,56,400. The organisers have not published how that amount is split between first place and the other winning ranks, so the exact payout for each position is not known from the available details.
Does it cost anything to enter?
No registration fee is mentioned in the programme information, so taking part appears to be free. Your only investment is the time you spend building and submitting your project.
Who is eligible to take part?
Entry is open to all, with no geographic restrictions. Individuals and teams are both welcome, and no age limit or restriction on team size is stated. You do not need to be part of a company or meet any sector-specific requirement to register.
Can I enter alone, or do I need a team?
Either works. Participants may register as individuals and build solo, or form a team and work together. The organisers have not placed a cap on how large a team can be.
What kind of projects fit the theme?
Anything that improves email. The organisers point to areas such as email management, phishing detection, spam filtering and intelligent email assistants, but the underlying theme is simply better email technology built with AI or security thinking.
When does the hackathon run and when is the deadline?
The competition is open from 24 July 2026 to 1 August 2026, and the submission deadline is 1 August 2026. Everything happens online, so there is no travel involved.
How are submissions judged?
Entries are assessed on three things: creativity, technical implementation and potential impact. The exact judging criteria and the format your submission must follow are set out on the official Devpost page for the hackathon.
Is the competition held online or in person?
It is entirely online. Participants can join from anywhere in the world, work remotely, and submit their projects through the Devpost listing without attending any physical event.
How do I apply and submit my project?
Registration and project submission both take place through the official Devpost page at https://the-email-game.devpost.com/. You sign up there, then upload your finished work before the 1 August 2026 deadline.
Does The Email Game — ₹1.6L Global Email & AI Hackathon take equity?
No. The Email Game — ₹1.6L Global Email & AI Hackathon is competition and is non-dilutive — the provider does not take an equity stake in your startup.
Is DPIIT recognition required for The Email Game — ₹1.6L Global Email & AI Hackathon?
No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for The Email Game — ₹1.6L Global Email & AI Hackathon, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.
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