2nd NextGen Hackathon 2026
By ACM Fremont Chapter, USA & Soft Computing Research Society
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Quick Answer
An online innovation marathon for students and professionals — $1,750 prize pool, teams of 2–4, multiple tech themes.
- Funding amount
- Up to ₹1.61L
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- ACM Fremont Chapter, USA & Soft Computing Research Society
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 12 August 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by ACM Fremont Chapter, USA & Soft Computing Research Society. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this competition
2nd NextGen Hackathon 2026 is an online innovation marathon organized by the ACM Fremont Chapter, USA in association with the Soft Computing Research Society. This two-day hackathon invites students, professionals, and tech enthusiasts to brainstorm, build, and showcase cutting-edge solutions to real-world challenges.
Who Should Apply Open to all university students (undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral), working professionals, and technology enthusiasts. No age or educational background restrictions — participants from Engineering, Design, Business, Sciences, and all other fields are welcome.
Tracks / Themes Participants can choose from the following domains:
- AI for Social Good
- GreenTech & Climate Action
- Web 3.0 & Decentralized Applications
- Future of Mobility
- Cybersecurity for the future and more
Format & Timeline The hackathon is entirely online, including registration, idea submission, mentoring, and final presentations. It consists of two rounds:
- Round 1 – Idea Submission: Teams submit a concept proposal (PDF/PPT) covering problem statement, proposed solution, target users, technology stack, and development plan. Evaluation criteria: novelty, clarity, feasibility, and potential impact.
- Round 2 – Prototype Development & Final Pitch: Shortlisted teams present a live virtual demo and pitch to the judging panel, followed by Q&A.
Judging criteria include innovation & creativity, impact & relevance, technical implementation, user experience (UX/UI), and presentation clarity.
Prizes
- Winner: $1,000
- First Runner-Up: $500
- Second Runner-Up: $250
- All finalists receive Certificates of Recognition.
Eligibility Teams of 2–4 members. Inter-college/inter-organization teams are allowed and encouraged. Lone wolves are not permitted — participation is strictly team-based.
About the Organiser The ACM Fremont Chapter, USA is a professional chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery, focused on fostering innovation and technical excellence. The Soft Computing Research Society is an India-based research organization that promotes soft computing and related fields through conferences, workshops, and competitions.
How to Apply Submit your idea through the official hackathon website: https://nextgen2026.thescrs.org/. Registration deadline is 12 August 2026.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Organizers
Organizer
ACM Fremont Chapter, USA & Soft Computing Research Society
Prizes & Awards
- Amount
- Up to ₹1.61L
What You Get
The winning team receives $1,000, the first runner-up $500, and the second runner-up $250 in cash prizes after the final pitch. This is a competition award, not a loan or equity investment. All finalists receive Certificates of Recognition. The fully online programme also includes mentoring, so teams shortlisted to Round 2 get guided feedback on their prototype and pitch before presenting to the judges.
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
See the questions before you start
Download every question this programme's application form asks, so you can prepare your answers offline before opening the portal.
- 2
Line up your documents
Keep every document from the checklist ready in one folder. Missing docs are the #1 reason applications get bounced.
- 3
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 4
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
