YouCam API Skin AI & Apparel VTO Hackathon — ₹5.5L Prize Pool
A fully virtual hackathon from Perfect Corp where developers worldwide build Skin AI and Apparel Virtual Try-On apps on the YouCam API, competing for a $6,000 (up to ₹5.5L) prize pool. Submissions close 17 August 2026.
- Funding amount
- ₹5.5L (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (17 Aug 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
Perfect Corp hosts this online hackathon for anyone who wants to build something new on top of its YouCam API. The contest is deliberately narrow in scope — it targets two product areas, skin analysis and virtual clothing try-on — and is open to coders, data scientists, AR/VR builders, designers and founders, wherever they happen to live.
The build window runs from 6 July 2026 to 17 August 2026. There is no venue and no travel: entrants work remotely and hand in their finished projects through Devpost, which hosts the official hackathon page.
Two tracks split the field. In Skin AI, the brief is an application that reads skin condition, recommends products or assembles a personalised skincare routine. In Apparel VTO, teams create a virtual try-on experience for garments and accessories.
The prize pool totals $6,000, or roughly ₹5,52,000, shared among the winning entries — the programme is listed as offering up to ₹5.5L. Beyond cash, Perfect Corp has flagged possible non-cash support such as API credits or mentoring.
Highlights
- Virtual hackathon hosted by Perfect Corp on its YouCam API.
- Two tracks: Skin AI and Apparel Virtual Try-On.
- $6,000 prize pool — about ₹5,52,000, listed as up to ₹5.5L.
- Open worldwide; solo entrants and teams of any size are welcome.
- Runs 6 July to 17 August 2026, with submissions made via Devpost.
- Judged on creativity, technical implementation, usability and potential impact.
Who can apply
Entry is open to anyone, anywhere. The hackathon sets no geographic limits — participants can join from any country — and there is no cap on team size. You may enter alone or as part of a group of any number of people.
The organisers describe the intended audience as developers, data scientists, AR/VR enthusiasts and entrepreneurs. Nothing in the rules requires a registered company, DPIIT recognition or MSME status, and no age, degree or professional gate is mentioned.
There is likewise no restriction on which industry a participant comes from, so a first-time hacker and a working product team compete under the same conditions.
YouCam API Skin AI & Apparel VTO Hackathon — ₹5.5L Prize Pool 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 YouCam API Skin AI & Apparel VTO Hackathon — ₹5.5L Prize Pool closed on 17 Aug 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 competition rather than an investment programme, so winners receive cash and give up no equity — there is nothing to repay and no stake is handed over.
- Total prize pool: $6,000, equal to about ₹5,52,000, shared across the winning submissions.
- Headline figure: the programme is listed as offering up to ₹5.5L.
- Possible extras: API credits or mentoring opportunities may be added on top of the cash awards.
- What it is not: no salary, stipend, equity investment or loan is involved.
The exact split between first place, second place and the remaining winning entries is not published in the source material.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Entries close on 17 August 2026 and are assessed afterwards. The judging criteria published for the hackathon are:
- Creativity — how original the concept and its execution are.
- Technical implementation — how well the YouCam API is used and how solid the build turns out to be.
- Usability — whether the resulting app is genuinely practical and pleasant to use.
- Potential impact — the difference the solution could make in beauty and fashion retail.
Projects are handed in through the official Devpost page. No intermediate rounds, interviews or live pitch stages are listed, so judging appears to be a single review of the submitted work.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to YouCam API Skin AI & Apparel VTO Hackathon — ₹5.5L Prize Pool, 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
YouCam API Skin AI & Apparel VTO Hackathon — ₹5.5L Prize Pool is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹5.5L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How much prize money does this hackathon offer?
The total prize pool is $6,000, which works out to roughly ₹5,52,000. The programme is listed as offering up to ₹5.5L. That amount is distributed across the winning submissions, so an individual winner's share depends on the final breakdown, which is not published. Alongside the cash, API credits or mentoring opportunities may be offered.
What is the deadline for submissions?
The submission deadline is 17 August 2026. The hackathon itself opens on 6 July 2026, giving participants a build window of just over six weeks. All work has to be submitted through Devpost before that closing date.
Who is eligible to participate?
Participation is open globally, with no geographic restrictions — you can take part from any country. The organisers welcome developers, data scientists, AR/VR enthusiasts and entrepreneurs. Individuals can enter on their own, and teams of any size are allowed.
Does the programme take equity in my project?
No. This is a competition with cash prizes, not an investment, so no equity is taken in your work and there is nothing to repay. The awards are effectively non-dilutive prize money, and the possible extras come in the form of API credits or mentoring rather than a stake.
What are the two tracks I can build for?
There are two themes. Skin AI covers applications that analyse skin conditions, recommend products or create personalised skincare routines. Apparel VTO covers virtual try-on experiences for clothing and accessories built with the YouCam API. You choose one of these areas for your submission.
Do I need DPIIT recognition or MSME registration to apply?
No. Neither DPIIT recognition nor MSME registration is listed as a requirement, and there is no condition around business registration, company type or legal structure. The eligibility rules cover individuals and teams only.
Can I enter alone, or do I need a team or a registered company?
You can enter solo. Teams of any size are also permitted, so you can work by yourself or assemble a group. A registered company is not required — the hackathon is aimed at developers, data scientists, AR/VR enthusiasts and entrepreneurs as individuals or as groups.
How do I apply and submit my project?
Registration and project submission both happen on the official Devpost page for the hackathon at youcam-api.devpost.com. You register there and upload your finished project, making sure it is in before the 17 August 2026 deadline.
What criteria will the judges use?
Submissions are assessed on four things: creativity, technical implementation, usability, and potential impact. In practice that means an original idea, a well-built use of the YouCam API, an app that is genuinely usable, and a solution with real relevance to the beauty or fashion retail sectors.
Is the hackathon online, and do I need to travel?
It is fully virtual and runs from 6 July to 17 August 2026. Participants work remotely from wherever they are, with no venue, no travel and no in-person attendance required. The only place your project needs to appear is the Devpost submission page.
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