Unlock'D: MU Jaipur's 24-Hour Build-A-Thon for Beginners
A 24-hour online Build-A-Thon by Manipal University (MU), Jaipur, where beginners team up, start from a supplied application blueprint and unlock features one milestone at a time. Register on Unstop by 3 July 2026.
- Funding amount
- Varies by program
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (3 Jul 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
Unlock'D is a 24-hour Build-A-Thon run entirely online by Manipal University (MU), Jaipur. It is pitched at people who are new to shipping software — students and developers in the early part of their careers — and gives them a guided structure in which to build something real inside a single sprint.
The format is what sets it apart. Teams do not brainstorm a project from zero. Instead, the organisers hand over a core application structure along with a blueprint to follow. Features are then tackled one milestone at a time, and each completed, deployed piece unlocks the next. Work the path to its end and the team has a finished application.
The sprint takes place across 3 and 4 July 2026, fully virtual, so there is no venue to travel to. Entry is free of the usual hackathon guesswork: because the architecture and the sequence of features are already mapped out, first-timers can concentrate on writing and deploying code rather than designing a system from scratch.
Registration is handled through Unstop and closes on 3 July 2026. Everyone who takes part receives an official Certificate of Participation, and the best-performing teams share in a prize pool whose value the organisers will announce at a later date.
Highlights
- 24-hour virtual Build-A-Thon on 3–4 July 2026, organised by Manipal University (MU), Jaipur.
- Built for beginners — no prior hackathon experience needed.
- Enter solo or as a team of up to three members.
- Teams start from a provided application structure and blueprint, unlocking features milestone by milestone.
- Every participant gets an official Certificate of Participation; top teams win rewards from the prize pool.
- Register through Unstop by 3 July 2026.
Who can apply
- Team size: one to three members, so you can enter solo or bring a small group.
- Experience: none needed. The Build-A-Thon is explicitly designed for beginners, and prior hackathon experience is not required.
- Who it is for: students and developers who are early in their careers and want hands-on practice building a real application.
- Where: the event is fully virtual, so teams take part online from wherever they are.
- Registration: sign up through Unstop by 3 July 2026.
The organisers describe the event as open to all within these groups, and no additional eligibility conditions such as a particular institution, industry or registration status are stated.
Unlock'D: MU Jaipur's 24-Hour Build-A-Thon for Beginners 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 Unlock'D: MU Jaipur's 24-Hour Build-A-Thon for Beginners closed on 3 Jul 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
- Prize pool rewards for top teams: the strongest performers receive rewards from the event's prize pool. The organisers have not yet announced how much that pool is worth.
- Certificate for everyone: every participant, not just the winners, receives an official Certificate of Participation.
- A blueprint to build on: teams are given a core application structure and a blueprint, removing the blank-page problem that stalls beginners.
- Milestone-driven delivery: the 24-hour sprint is built around unlocking and deploying one feature at a time, so progress is measurable throughout.
- A complete application by the finish: following the milestones through to the end produces a full application, giving participants something concrete to show for the event.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Unlock'D: MU Jaipur's 24-Hour Build-A-Thon for Beginners, 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 Unlock'D?
It is a 24-hour Build-A-Thon held completely online by Manipal University (MU), Jaipur. Rather than starting from nothing, teams are handed a core application structure and a blueprint, then spend the sprint building and deploying the application feature by feature, with each milestone unlocking the next. It is aimed squarely at beginners rather than experienced hackers.
When does the event take place?
The Build-A-Thon runs online across 3 and 4 July 2026, covering a 24-hour window. Because it is virtual, there is no venue to travel to and teams can take part remotely.
How much prize money is on offer?
The exact amount has not been published yet. What is confirmed is that the top teams receive rewards from the event's prize pool, and the organisers will announce the value later. On top of that, every participant — winner or not — receives an official Certificate of Participation.
Who is eligible to apply?
Students and developers who are early in their careers. The organisers describe Unlock'D as open to all and beginner-friendly, so you do not need any previous hackathon experience or a track record of shipped projects to enter.
How many people can be on a team?
Between one and three. Solo entries are allowed, so you can register alone if you prefer, or bring up to two other people with you.
Do I have to be a Manipal University student to participate?
The published eligibility simply says the event is open to all, and no institutional restriction is stated. It is organised by Manipal University (MU), Jaipur, but the entry criteria as given do not limit participation to that university's own students.
Do teams build the application from scratch?
No. That is the point of the format. A core application structure and a blueprint are provided, and teams work through features in a progressive, milestone-based order, building and deploying each one before moving to the next. By the end of the sprint, the full application is complete.
How do I register, and what is the deadline?
Registration is done through Unstop using the Unlock'D listing, and the closing date is 3 July 2026. Sign up before that date to secure your team's place in the sprint.
Does Unlock'D: MU Jaipur's 24-Hour Build-A-Thon for Beginners take equity?
No. Unlock'D: MU Jaipur's 24-Hour Build-A-Thon for Beginners is competition and is non-dilutive — the provider does not take an equity stake in your startup.
Is DPIIT recognition required for Unlock'D: MU Jaipur's 24-Hour Build-A-Thon for Beginners?
No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for Unlock'D: MU Jaipur's 24-Hour Build-A-Thon for Beginners, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.
How do I apply for Unlock'D: MU Jaipur's 24-Hour Build-A-Thon for Beginners?
Apply directly through the official application link on this page. Review the eligibility criteria and prepare your startup documents before you begin.
Alternatives to Unlock'D: MU Jaipur's 24-Hour Build-A-Thon for Beginners
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