VIBE2SHIP Hackathon 2026 — ₹3L Prize Pool for Indian Students
A free, fully online vibe-coding hackathon from Coding Ninjas and Google for Developers, giving Indian students a shot at a ₹3,00,000 cash prize pool. Runs June 9–21, 2026.
- Funding amount
- ₹3L (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (21 Jun 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
VIBE2SHIP is a student hackathon centred on vibe coding — building software fast with an emphasis on creative flow, quick iteration and a smooth developer experience. It is put together by Coding Ninjas together with Google for Developers, and it costs nothing to take part.
Who it is for The competition is aimed at students in India. You can be studying any subject, and you can enter either on your own or with a team. Having competed in a hackathon before is not a condition — first-timers are welcome.
The whole thing happens online, running from June 9 to June 21, 2026. You build remotely on your own schedule and hand in your project before submissions close on June 21, 2026. Because there is no physical venue, participants from anywhere in the country can join in.
What is at stake Winners share a cash pool of ₹3,00,000, with the programme listed as offering up to ₹3,00,000. Entries are assessed on three things: how creative the idea is, how well it is technically executed, and the impact it could have.
Getting in Registration is free and open through the official Internshala competition page for VIBE2SHIP.
Highlights
- Free to enter — no registration fee for the hackathon
- ₹3,00,000 cash prize pool shared among the winning teams
- Open to students across India in any discipline, solo or in a team
- Completely online, running June 9 to June 21, 2026
- Projects judged on creativity, technical implementation and impact
- No prior hackathon experience needed to apply
Who can apply
The core requirement is simple: you must be a student in India. Beyond that, the criteria stay deliberately wide.
- Any discipline — you are not restricted to computer science, engineering or IT courses.
- Any experience level — previous hackathon participation is not required.
- Solo or team — you may take part as an individual or register with a team.
- No company needed — nothing in the stated criteria asks for a registered entity, DPIIT recognition or MSME registration, because this is a student competition rather than an investor programme.
- Build from anywhere — since the hackathon is conducted online, your location within India does not limit you.
VIBE2SHIP Hackathon 2026 — ₹3L Prize Pool for Indian Students 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 VIBE2SHIP Hackathon 2026 — ₹3L Prize Pool for Indian Students closed on 21 Jun 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, loan or investment, and the reward is cash.
- ₹3,00,000 total prize pool, listed as up to ₹3,00,000, which is distributed among the winning teams.
- Free entry — registration costs nothing, so there is no fee at risk to take part.
- No equity involved — winners receive cash prizes; the programme does not take a stake in anything you build.
- Fully remote participation — you work on your project from wherever you are and submit online before the deadline.
- Judged on creativity, technical implementation and impact, so the strongest ideas are weighed alongside execution quality.
The exact split of the pool between first place, runner-up and other winning teams is not specified in the details available here.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to VIBE2SHIP Hackathon 2026 — ₹3L Prize Pool for Indian Students, 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
VIBE2SHIP Hackathon 2026 — ₹3L Prize Pool for Indian Students is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹3L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is VIBE2SHIP?
VIBE2SHIP is a vibe-coding hackathon for students in India, organised by Coding Ninjas in association with Google for Developers. Participants build projects using a fast, creativity-led coding approach, work on them remotely, and submit them online before the closing deadline. It is free to register.
How much prize money is on offer?
The total cash prize pool is ₹3,00,000, and the programme is listed as offering up to ₹3,00,000. That amount is distributed among the winning teams. The individual split between the top places is not published in the details available here.
Who is eligible to participate?
Anyone who is a student in India can take part. There is no restriction on your course or discipline, and you do not need to have entered a hackathon before. You can register as a solo participant or as part of a team.
Is DPIIT recognition or MSME registration required?
No. VIBE2SHIP is a student hackathon, not an investor or grant programme. Nothing in the eligibility criteria requires DPIIT recognition, MSME registration or a registered company — being a student in India is the qualifying condition.
Can I join as an individual, or do I have to find a team?
Both routes work. Individual participation is allowed, and teams are allowed as well. If you already have collaborators, you can register together; if not, you can enter on your own.
Does the programme take equity in my project?
No. VIBE2SHIP is a competition with cash prizes, so there is no equity, revenue share or ownership claim involved. Winners simply receive prize money from the pool.
When does the hackathon run and when do I have to submit?
The hackathon runs online from June 9 to June 21, 2026. You can work on your project remotely at any point during that window, but your submission must be in before the deadline of June 21, 2026.
How will my project be judged?
Entries are evaluated on three criteria: creativity, technical implementation and impact. In other words, judges look at how original the idea is, how well it is actually built, and what difference it could make.
Do I need prior hackathon experience to apply?
Not at all. No previous hackathon experience is required, and the competition is explicitly open to students who are simply keen on coding and building. First-time participants are eligible on the same terms as everyone else.
How do I apply, and is there a fee?
Registration is free. Applications are made through the official Internshala competition page for VIBE2SHIP, where you can sign up for the hackathon. There is no charge at any point to participate.
What is the application deadline for VIBE2SHIP Hackathon 2026 — ₹3L Prize Pool for Indian Students?
The application deadline for VIBE2SHIP Hackathon 2026 — ₹3L Prize Pool for Indian Students is Closed (21 Jun 2026). Deadlines can be revised, so reconfirm on the official source before applying.
Alternatives to VIBE2SHIP Hackathon 2026 — ₹3L Prize Pool for Indian Students
Not sure VIBE2SHIP Hackathon 2026 — ₹3L Prize Pool for Indian Students 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.