StartupX Hackathon 2026

About the Hackathon:

StartupX Hackathon 2026, organized by Gamnexis, is a free online innovation and startup-focused hackathon for students with an innovative idea who want to transform it into a working solution.

Unlike traditional hackathons, StartupX does not have a fixed theme or domain. Participants are free to choose any problem they want to solve and build a solution using any suitable technology.

Participants can work on ideas related to:

• Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
• Web Development & SaaS
• Mobile Applications
• FinTech
• HealthTech
• EdTech
• AgriTech
• ClimateTech & GreenTech
• Cybersecurity
• Gaming
• Blockchain & Web3
• IoT
• Mobility
• E-commerce
• Social Impact
• BioTech
• Developer Tools
• Any other innovative domain

The hackathon follows the journey: Idea → PPT → Idea Explanation → Shortlisting → MVP/Prototype → Final Pitch

Hackathon Objectives:

• Encourage students to identify and solve real-world problems.
• Provide a platform to present startup and product ideas.
• Encourage innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Help students transform ideas into prototypes or MVPs.
• Promote technology-driven solutions.
• Provide experience in pitching and presenting ideas.
• Identify promising student-led innovations.

Eligibility:

• Open to college and university students.
• Students from any stream, branch, specialization, or year can participate.
• Individual and team participation are allowed.
• Participants can be from any college or university.
• No previous startup experience is required.
• No specific technical skill is mandatory.
• Participants can choose any technology and domain.

Team Size:

- 1–6 members per team.

Registration Fee:

- Free

Hackathon Structure:

Round 1 – Startup Idea & PPT Submission:

Participants must submit their startup or project idea through a manually prepared PPT presentation.

The submission should clearly explain:

• Problem
• Proposed Solution
• Target Users
• Innovation
• Market Potential
• Product Concept
• Business Potential

PPT Limit:

- Maximum 10 slides.

Recommended PPT Structure:

• Slide 1: Project/Startup Name & Team Details
• Slide 2: Problem Statement
• Slide 3: Proposed Solution
• Slide 4: Target Users
• Slide 5: Unique Value Proposition
• Slide 6: Market/User Opportunity
• Slide 7: Product/Prototype Concept
• Slide 8: Technology/Tech Stack
• Slide 9: Business Model/Sustainability
• Slide 10: Future Roadmap

Participants do not have to follow this exact structure, but the presentation should clearly explain the idea.

PPT AI Policy:

AI-generated PPTs are strictly prohibited.

Participants must create their Round 1 PPT themselves. The following are not allowed:

• AI presentation generators
• AI-generated slide decks
• One-click AI PPT generators
• AI-generated complete presentations
• Directly submitting a presentation generated by an AI tool

Participants may use standard tools such as PowerPoint, Google Slides, Canva, and other presentation or design software.

If the organizing team determines that a participant has submitted an AI-generated PPT, the participant or team may be directly disqualified. The organizers may ask participants to explain how their presentation was created or request clarification if AI-generated content is suspected.

Mandatory Round 1 Idea Meeting:

After Round 1 submissions, every eligible team that successfully submits the PPT will receive a 5-minute online meeting slot.

The meeting will help organizers and judges understand:

• Whether the team understands its own idea.
• The problem being solved.
• How the proposed solution works.
• Why the idea is useful.
• What makes the idea different.
• How the team plans to build it.

Meeting Format:

• First 3 minutes: Team explains the idea.
• Next 2 minutes: Organizers/judges ask questions.

All team members are encouraged to attend the meeting. The team should be able to explain its PPT and answer questions related to the submitted idea.

Failure to attend the mandatory meeting without a valid reason may result in disqualification or removal from Round 2 consideration.

Round 2 – Build Your MVP:

Teams shortlisted after Round 1 and the mandatory idea meeting will proceed to Round 2.

Participants will develop their idea into a functional:

• MVP
• Prototype
• Web application
• Mobile application
• AI/ML solution
• SaaS product
• Game
• IoT solution
• Hardware prototype
• Software product
• Other suitable working solution

The Round 2 project should be based on the idea submitted during Round 1.

Round 2 – Final Submission Requirements:

Mandatory:

• Working Demo/Prototype
• 2–3 minute Demo Video
• Final Pitch Deck
• Project Description
• Source Code/GitHub Repository, wherever applicable

Recommended:

• Product screenshots
• Architecture diagram
• Technical implementation
• Tech stack
• Target users
• Business model
• Market opportunity
• Future roadmap

For hardware-based projects where an online live demo is difficult, a working demonstration video may be submitted.

AI & Technology Usage Rules:

AI tools can be used during development, subject to the following rules.

Allowed:

• AI coding assistants
• Generative AI for coding assistance
• AI APIs
• Open-source AI models
• AI libraries
• AI-based development tools

Not Allowed:

• Submitting another person's project as their own.
• Copying an existing project and presenting it as an original hackathon project.
• Using AI to completely generate the Round 1 PPT.
• Misrepresenting AI-generated work as entirely their own where disclosure is required.
• Using copyrighted or proprietary material without permission.

Participants must understand the project they submit. During evaluation, judges may ask questions about the code, architecture, technology, AI implementation, dataset, product functionality, and business model.

If a team cannot reasonably explain its own project, it may negatively affect the evaluation or result in disqualification where appropriate.

Rules & Regulations:

• Participation is completely free.
• Team size must be 1–6 members.
• The hackathon is completely online.
• There is no fixed theme or domain.
• Participants may choose any appropriate technology.
• Round 1 requires a manually created PPT.
• AI-generated PPTs are strictly prohibited.
• Direct submission of an AI-generated presentation may result in immediate disqualification.
• Every eligible Round 1 team must attend the mandatory 5-minute idea meeting.
• Teams must be able to explain their submitted idea during the meeting.
• Round 2 projects should be based on the idea submitted in Round 1.
• Previously completed projects should not be submitted as new hackathon projects.
• Plagiarism is strictly prohibited.
• Participants must have the right to use all code, datasets, images, videos, APIs, and other resources included in their project.
• Open-source libraries and third-party APIs are allowed, subject to their respective licenses and terms.
• AI tools may be used during development, but participants must be able to explain their implementation.
• Participants must submit all required materials before the deadline.
• Late submissions may not be considered.
• Any attempt to manipulate judging, plagiarism checks, submissions, or results may result in disqualification.
• Projects containing illegal, harmful, fraudulent, or abusive content may be rejected.
• Judges' decisions regarding evaluation and ranking will be final.
• Organizers reserve the right to disqualify teams that violate the hackathon rules.
• Organizers may modify the schedule if required and will communicate significant changes to participants.

Judging Criteria:

Round 1 – Idea Evaluation:

• Innovation & Originality – 25%
• Problem-Solution Fit – 25%
• Target User & Market Need – 15%
• Business/Startup Potential – 15%
• Scalability & Future Potential – 10%
• Idea Explanation & Clarity – 10%

Total: 100%

The 5-minute meeting may be used to assess the team's understanding and clarity of the idea.

Round 2 – Final Evaluation:

• Innovation & Originality – 15%
• Problem-Solution Fit – 15%
• Technical Implementation – 20%
• Product/MVP Quality – 15%
• Market & Business Potential – 15%
• UI/UX & User Experience – 10%
• Demo & Presentation – 10%

Total: 100%

Prizes:

• 1st Place: ₹5,000 Cash Prize + 12 Months Uplearn Subscription + Winner Certificate
• 2nd Place: ₹3,000 Cash Prize + 12 Months Uplearn Subscription + Runner-Up Certificate
• 3rd Place: ₹2,000 Cash Prize + 6 Months Uplearn Subscription + Second Runner-Up Certificate
• 4th Place – Best Startup Idea: 6 Months Uplearn Subscription + Certificate
• 5th Place – Best AI/ML Innovation: 3 Months Uplearn Subscription + Certificate
• 6th Place – Best Technical Implementation: 3 Months Uplearn Subscription + Certificate

Certificates:

Eligible participants who complete the required hackathon submissions may receive Participation Certificates according to the event's certificate criteria.

Important Dates:

• Registrations Open: 10th August 2026
• Round 1 Starts: 10th August 2026
• Round 1 PPT Deadline: 5th September 2026
• 5-Minute Idea Meetings: 10th–14th September 2026
• Round 1 Evaluation: 15th–18th September 2026
• Round 2 Shortlist: 19th September 2026
• Round 2 Build Phase: 22nd–25th September 2026
• Final Submission: 25th September 2026
• Final Evaluation: 26th–29th September 2026
• Winner Announcement: 30th September 2026

NO FIXED THEME. NO FIXED DOMAIN. JUST YOUR IDEA.

Think. Explain. Build. Launch.