Opportunity brief
CognitionNext '26
CognitionNext '26 is a two-round hackathon organized by Cognext AI in collaboration with Technovanza, VJTI, designed to bring together students passionate about Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
Participants will get an opportunity to showcase their AI expertise, build innovative solutions, compete for a ₹1,00,000 prize pool, and potentially earn internship opportunities with Cognext AI.
Eligibility
- Open to students form all Engineering Colleges. - Teams can consist of 1–2 participants. - Each participant can register with only one team. - Participants must complete Round 1 to qualify for Round 2.
Hackathon Theme
Artificial Intelligence
Participants are encouraged to demonstrate their knowledge, projects, technical skills, and innovative applications of AI/ML.
Event Structure
Round 1 – Online Screening Round
Dates: 18th October 2026 – 21st October 2026
Mode: Online
Round 1 will be a screening round based on participants' work, achievements, and contributions in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
Participants will be required to submit:
- A summary highlighting their significant work, achievements, and contributions in AI/ML. - Their GitHub profile link. - Links to relevant projects, repositories, deployed applications, research work, or other proof of work.
Participants are strongly encouraged to provide project links, GitHub repositories, or other relevant evidence supporting their submissions.
The number of teams shortlisted for Round 2 will be announced by the organizers.
Round 2 – Offline Hackathon
Dates: 23rd October 2026 – 24th October 2026
Mode: Offline
Venue: Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI), Mumbai Duration: 12 hours
Shortlisted teams will participate in the offline hackathon and work on a problem statement based on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
The problem statement, submission requirements, judging criteria, and weightages for Round 2 will be released by the organizers.
Participants will be required to develop and submit their solution within the specified deadline.
Prizes & Opportunities
Total Prize Pool worth: ₹1,00,000
Participants can compete for:
-
Prize Pool
- Potential internship opportunities with Cognext AI -
Certificates
- Opportunity to showcase AI skills and projects
Internship details: To be announced by the organizers.
Rules & Guidelines
- Teams may consist of 1–2 participants. - Each participant can register with only one team. - Participants must complete Round 1 to qualify for Round 2. - Round 1 submissions must include the required AI/ML work summary and GitHub profile. - Round 2 teams must submit their final solution within the specified deadline. - Plagiarism or submission of another participant's work may lead to disqualification. - Participants must follow all instructions issued by the organizing team. - AI tools are allowed in the Round 2, as per the guidelines provided by the organizers. - Rules regarding the use of AI tools, APIs, open-source code, and previously developed work will be communicated by the organizers. - The decision of the organizing and judging team will be final.
Registration Details
Registration Fee: Free
Registration Window: till 21st October 2026
Participant Limit: 1–2 members per team
Round 1: 18th October 2026 – 21st October 2026
Round 2: 23rd October 2026 – 24th October 2026
Important Dates
Event
Date
Registration
till 21st Oct 2026
Round 1
18th Oct 2026 – 21st Oct 2026
Round 2
23rd Oct – 24th Oct 2026
Prize Pool
₹1,00,000
Judging criteria and detailed Round 2 submission requirements will be released along with the problem statement.
Why Participate?
- Showcase your AI/ML projects and technical achievements. - Compete in a 12-hour offline hackathon at VJTI. - Win from a ₹1,00,000 prize pool. - Get an opportunity to connect with Cognext AI. - Explore potential internship opportunities. - Earn certificates and gain valuable hackathon experience.