16 Startup Competitions in India Open for Applications — ₹46.6 Cr+ in Prizes — August 2026

This August 2026, Indian startups have 16 active competitions to consider for funding, mentorship, and exposure. Two programs, Fuelerator 3.0 and the Greenovation Circularity Challenge, have recently opened for applications, while 14 others are nearing their submission deadlines within the next 14 days. Notable opportunities include the UAE-India Start-up Series 2.0 for market expansion and the Gloo AI Hackathon 2026 with a substantial prize pool.

These competitions provide avenues for both early-stage and prototype-ready ventures across diverse sectors, from deep technology and social innovation to specific industry challenges. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to review eligibility criteria and deadlines carefully to maximize their chances of securing support.

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At a Glance

Fuelerator 3.0 LAN Startup Fund (Ludhiana Angels Network)

The Fuelerator 3.0 program, organized by Ludhiana Angels Network (LAN) with Munjal BCU Centre of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MBCIE), supports scalable startups with ecosystem resources, connections, and capital. This sector-agnostic initiative targets ventures with a prototype or existing revenue, aiming to foster innovation and impact.

The program identifies and invests in high-potential ventures, offering a platform for growth and international exposure. The deadline for applications is August 30, 2026, with a total prize pool of ₹5 crore available for selected startups.

UAE-India Start-up Series 2.0 (UAE-India CEPA Council)

The UAE-India Start-up Series 2.0 is an initiative under the UAE–India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), designed to facilitate cross-border innovation. It targets high-potential Indian startups, offering opportunities for expansion into the UAE market and beyond.

This series aims to deepen economic ties and collaborative efforts in technology and business development, enabling Indian ventures to access new markets, capital, and a support ecosystem. The deadline to apply is August 30, 2026, with a total prize value of ₹5.7 crore.

Mudhal Padi 2.0 – Investor Demo Day (StartupTN)

Mudhal Padi 2.0 – Investor Demo Day, organized by StartupTN's Erode Regional Hub and Yi (Young Indians), Karur Chapter, provides a platform for emerging startups. Founders can present their ideas to investors, including venture capitalists and angel investors, to secure funding and mentorship.

Participants engage in live pitch sessions to articulate their vision and demonstrate products or services. The event fosters connections essential for long-term success. The deadline for this opportunity is August 30, 2026, with prizes varying for selected ventures.

OneAquaHealth IEEE Global Hackathon 2026 (OneAquaHealth Project)

The OneAquaHealth IEEE Global Hackathon 2026 is an online international challenge for students and innovators globally, organized by the OneAquaHealth Project. It invites participants to develop solutions related to aquatic health and sustainability.

Open to students, researchers, and innovators, the hackathon runs online from June 16 to August 31, 2026. Participants can work remotely and submit projects by the deadline. The total prize pool is US$8,000, approximately ₹7.4 lakh.

AI Builders Hackathon (T-Hub)

The AI Builders Hackathon is a focused event hosted at T-Hub Hyderabad, aimed at building on the application layer of AI. It encourages participants to create practical, deployable AI solutions.

Open to Indian students, developers, and early-stage startup teams, the hackathon took place on April 20, 2026, with submissions closing on August 31, 2026. It offers a total cash prize of ₹1 lakh, plus API credits for winning teams.

Hacksocial 2026 (Hacksocial)

Hacksocial 2026 is an online hackathon inviting participants globally to build technology solutions addressing social good challenges. Organized by Hacksocial, it encourages innovation in areas such as machine learning and AI for positive social impact.

Open to developers, designers, students, and entrepreneurs globally, the hackathon features an open-ended theme with a focus on social good. Machine learning and AI projects are particularly encouraged. The deadline for submissions is August 31, 2026, with a total prize pool of ₹2.3 lakh.

Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge 2026 (Social Shifters)

The Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge 2026 identifies, supports, and amplifies efforts of young leaders leveraging solutions for social and environmental issues. This worldwide competition targets entrepreneurs aged 18 to 30 who operate projects or ventures aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

The program offers mentorship, global visibility, and integration into a community of innovators, serving as a platform for early-stage ventures. The deadline to apply is August 31, 2026, with prizes ranging from ₹2.5 lakh to ₹1.2 crore.

ReFlow 2026 — Menstrual Health Innovation Hackathon (IIT Bhubaneswar REP)

IIT Bhubaneswar Research & Entrepreneurship Park (REP) presents ReFlow: Menstrual Health Innovation Hackathon 2026, a national challenge for advancing menstrual health and dignity in India. It unites innovators, including students, researchers, entrepreneurs, and healthcare professionals.

The hackathon fosters innovation in menstrual health, hygiene, accessibility, awareness, and sustainability through technology, research, design, and social innovation. It is structured around thematic areas such as Education & Awareness. The deadline for submissions is August 31, 2026, with varied prizes.

Build With Bharat 2.0 (CodeVerse Community & NIT Delhi)

Build With Bharat 2.0 is a national-level hackathon organized by the CodeVerse Community in collaboration with NIT Delhi. It gathers developers, designers, and innovators from across India to build technology solutions for real-world challenges.

Open to undergraduate and postgraduate students from all specializations, teams of 2–5 members are welcome. Participants can build in domains like AI/ML, Web/Mobile Development, Blockchain, and IoT. The deadline for submissions is September 1, 2026, with a total prize of ₹1 lakh.

TikTok TechJam 2026 (TikTok)

TikTok TechJam 2026 is a global online hackathon organized by TikTok, featuring a prize pool of $34,500. It invites developers, engineers, and creators worldwide to build solutions using TikTok's platform and APIs.

With a focus on Machine Learning/AI, Cybersecurity, and E-commerce/Retail, this hackathon provides an opportunity to showcase skills to a global audience. It is open to individual developers, teams, and creators passionate about technology. The deadline is September 1, 2026, with a total prize fund of ₹3.2 crore.

The Start up Conclave (Maharana Pratap Group)

The Start up Conclave, organized by Maharana Pratap Group of Institutions, Kanpur (UP), is an offline case competition. Scheduled for September 11–12, 2026, it aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurial spirit by challenging participants to demonstrate problem-solving and strategic thinking.

Open to students and aspiring entrepreneurs, the event allows teams to pitch business ideas and showcase stalls. Judging is based on the quality of the pitch and viability. The deadline for application is September 5, 2026, with a prize of ₹1 lakh.

Decode SIH 2026 (OSCode & CommunityX)

Decode SIH 2026 is a national-level hackathon organized by OSCode and CommunityX. It challenges and rewards innovative problem-solving among Indian students and early-stage tech enthusiasts, offering a prize pool of ₹50 lakh.

The hackathon is open to teams of students, developers, and early-stage innovators across India who are passionate about building solutions for real-world problems. The event runs from July 29, 2026, to September 5, 2026, providing a multi-week period for submissions. The total prize is ₹5 crore.

VoltHacks (Dialogate)

VoltHacks is an online hackathon organized by Dialogate, with a prize pool of ₹1.93 lakh. It welcomes participants from around the world, including Indian teams and individuals, and is beginner-friendly.

Participants can work on projects in IoT and Machine Learning/AI, building solutions over the competition period. Submissions are accepted via Devpost. The competition runs online from May 22, 2026, to September 5, 2026. The total prize is ₹1.9 lakh.

Gloo AI Hackathon 2026 (Gloo)

The Gloo AI Hackathon 2026 is an AI hackathon organized by Gloo, focused on building AI agents, ministry tools, and Bible-based AI applications. It invites developers, entrepreneurs, and innovators globally, including from India.

Open to individuals and teams with an interest in AI and faith-based or mission-driven technology, the hackathon runs from June 5, 2026, to September 7, 2026. Submissions are accepted until the deadline. The total prize pool is $250,000, approximately ₹23 crore.

FEG Innovation Hackathon 2026 (T-Hub)

The FEG Innovation Hackathon 2026 is a two-day innovation challenge hosted in partnership with T-Hub. It unites tech builders, startups, and thinkers to address digital entertainment problems faced by Fortuna Entertainment Group (FEG).

Participants choose from product challenges related to Session Quality & User Conversion, Native App Experience, and Game Load Time. Teams transform ideas into prototypes within 24 hours with mentor support. The deadline for applications is September 7, 2026, with prizes ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh.

Greenovation Circularity Challenge (Greenovation Hub)

The Greenovation Circularity Challenge, led by Greenovation Hub (SwitchON Foundation's accelerator) and backed by EarthON Foundation, identifies, supports, and scales innovations across India's waste streams: plastics, textiles, and food. This initiative fosters a circular economy by transforming waste into resources.

It targets affordable, practical, and scalable solutions, welcoming applications from early-stage prototypes to market-ready ventures. Participants develop solutions for waste collection, reuse, and recycling. The challenge has rolling deadlines, with a total prize pool of ₹2 crore.

Before Applying

Applicants should note specific eligibility criteria. The Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge 2026 is restricted to young leaders aged 18 to 30. Several competitions, including the UAE-India Start-up Series 2.0, AI Builders Hackathon, Build With Bharat 2.0, ReFlow 2026, and Decode SIH 2026, specifically target Indian startups, students, or innovators. Fuelerator 3.0 requires startups to have a prototype or be revenue-generating, while the Greenovation Circularity Challenge focuses on early-stage to market-ready ventures in specific waste management sectors.

Timing is crucial for these opportunities, with Fuelerator 3.0, UAE-India Start-up Series 2.0, and Mudhal Padi 2.0 closing on August 30, 2026. While many are multi-week online hackathons like OneAquaHealth IEEE Global Hackathon 2026 and Decode SIH 2026, others such as The Start up Conclave involve specific offline dates for pitching. The Greenovation Circularity Challenge operates on a rolling deadline, allowing more flexibility for submissions.