ZeAI Hackathon 2026 — 24-Hour National Build Sprint, ₹10 Lakh Prize Pool
ZeAI Hackathon 2026 is a nationwide 24-hour hackathon run by ZeAI, offering a ₹10 Lakh prize pool. Solo entrants and teams from anywhere in India can take part. Registration closes July 15, 2026.
- Funding amount
- ₹10L (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (15 Jul 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
ZeAI Hackathon 2026 is a nationwide, 24-hour building sprint run by ZeAI, with ₹10,00,000 — ₹10 Lakhs — set aside as prize money. It is a competition rather than an investment programme: winners pick up a cash award, and no equity, shares or repayment is involved.
The event runs on August 14, 2026 as a single-day hackathon. Teams get a full 24 hours to turn an idea into a working project and submit it inside that window. The detailed format and the judging criteria have not been published yet and will be announced by the organisers.
Who it's for. Participation is open to anyone based in India, either solo or as part of a team. Students, designers, developers and entrepreneurs are all named as welcome entrants, and a registered company is not required. Team size limits are not specified.
Prizes. The prize pool comes to ₹10,00,000, or ₹10 Lakhs, and is described as up to ₹10L. It is paid out as cash prize money to the winners.
How to enter. Registration closes on July 15, 2026. Applications are made through the official ZeAI Hackathon 2026 competition page on Internshala.
Highlights
- 24-hour national hackathon run by ZeAI, held on August 14, 2026
- ₹10,00,000 (₹10 Lakhs) total prize pool, quoted as up to ₹10L
- Register by July 15, 2026 on the official Internshala competition page
- Open to individuals and teams based anywhere in India — students, designers, developers and entrepreneurs
- No equity taken; the reward is a cash prize, not an investment
- Detailed format and judging criteria to be announced
Who can apply
Eligibility for the ZeAI Hackathon 2026 is deliberately broad — the only stated condition is that a participant must be based in India.
- Individuals and teams can both take part.
- Students, designers, developers and entrepreneurs are explicitly welcome, so you do not need to be a founder or own a company.
- No DPIIT recognition or MSME registration is listed as a requirement.
- No sector, industry or state restriction inside India has been announced.
- Team size has not been specified — neither a minimum nor a maximum has been published.
ZeAI Hackathon 2026 — 24-Hour National Build Sprint, ₹10 Lakh 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 ZeAI Hackathon 2026 — 24-Hour National Build Sprint, ₹10 Lakh Prize Pool closed on 15 Jul 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
The ZeAI Hackathon 2026 rewards winners with cash, not with an investment.
- Prize pool: ₹10,00,000 (₹10 Lakhs), quoted as up to ₹10L.
- The money is a competition prize, so no equity is taken — there is no dilution, no shares issued and nothing to repay.
- Entrants get a 24-hour build window on August 14, 2026 to develop and submit their project.
- The competition is national in scope, covering entrants from anywhere in India.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to ZeAI Hackathon 2026 — 24-Hour National Build Sprint, ₹10 Lakh 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
ZeAI Hackathon 2026 — 24-Hour National Build Sprint, ₹10 Lakh Prize Pool is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹10L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How much prize money does the ZeAI Hackathon 2026 offer?
The total prize pool is ₹10,00,000, which is ₹10 Lakhs, described as up to ₹10L. That amount is awarded as cash prize money to the winners of the hackathon.
What is the registration deadline for the ZeAI Hackathon 2026?
Registration closes on July 15, 2026. You need to sign up through the official ZeAI Hackathon 2026 competition page on Internshala on or before that date.
When does the hackathon actually take place?
The event is scheduled for August 14, 2026 and runs as a single-day hackathon. Participants get 24 hours to build their project and submit it within that period.
Who is eligible to participate?
Anyone based in India can take part, either as an individual or as part of a team. Students, designers, developers and entrepreneurs are all explicitly welcome, and there is no requirement to be a registered company.
Is there a team size limit for this hackathon?
Team size is not specified in the published details. Neither a minimum nor a maximum number of members has been announced, so check the official competition page for any update.
Do I need DPIIT recognition, MSME registration or a registered company to apply?
No such requirement is stated. The only published eligibility condition is that participants are based in India, which means students and individual developers can enter without any registration, incorporation or prior startup credentials.
Does the ZeAI Hackathon take equity in my idea or startup?
No. This is a competition with a cash prize pool, not an investment programme. Winners receive prize money, and no equity, shares or repayment obligations are involved.
What is the format, and how will the projects be judged?
The 24-hour, single-day format is confirmed, with the event taking place on August 14, 2026. The detailed format and the judging criteria are yet to be announced by the organisers.
How do I apply for the ZeAI Hackathon 2026?
Register through the official competition page on Internshala at https://internshala.com/competitions/zeai-hackathon-2026/. The registration window closes on July 15, 2026.
Alternatives to ZeAI Hackathon 2026 — 24-Hour National Build Sprint, ₹10 Lakh Prize Pool
Not sure ZeAI Hackathon 2026 — 24-Hour National Build Sprint, ₹10 Lakh Prize Pool is the right fit, or already applied? These are other grants open to Indian startups that founders shortlist alongside it.
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