Startup Sprint Challenge 2026 is a 16-hour hackathon-style innovation event organised by E-Cell RGPV (the Entrepreneurship Cell of Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya, Bhopal). The challenge
gives participants a compressed window to ideate, prototype, and pitch technology-driven solutions to real-world problems, with problem statements released at the start of the event and mentors available throughout. Who Should Apply The event is aimed at college students and early-stage builders who want to test their creativity, technical skills, and teamwork under time pressure. Teams may be formed with 1 to 3 members, and participants from outside Bhopal are explicitly welcomed — free on-campus accommodation is provided for outstation teams. Tracks / Themes Participants select a problem statement from any of the following tracks: Healthcare & Wellness; Education & Skill Development; Smart Infrastructure & Smart Cities; Environment & Sustainability; Agriculture & Rural Development; FinTech & Digital Empowerment; Safety & Security; AI & Emerging Technologies; and Open Innovation. Format & Timeline The event runs offline across 29–30 September 2026 at KRC Lab, with a total build window of 16 hours. Teams pick a problem statement, analyse requirements, brainstorm and design a solution, choose their stack, and develop a working prototype or functional MVP. The event closes with a presentation and live demonstration before a judging panel. Projects are evaluated on Innovation & Creativity, Technical Implementation & Functionality, Problem Relevance & Impact, and Presentation & Demonstration. Prizes The total prize pool is ₹30,000, with the distribution among winning teams announced by the organisers during the event. Winning teams also receive exclusive E-Cell merchandise, and all participants receive participation certificates. Eligibility Teams of 1–3 members. Each team may submit only one solution, and the project must be developed during the hackathon. Participants must carry a valid government-issued ID and college ID; participants from outside colleges must additionally carry a Consent Letter signed by their Faculty, HOD, or Director. Participants bring their own laptops and equipment. About the Organiser E-Cell RGPV is the entrepreneurship cell of Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya, Bhopal — a state technical university in Madhya Pradesh. The cell runs a calendar of student-facing entrepreneurship and innovation events, and registered participants of the Startup Sprint Challenge also get access to other E-Cell RGPV events held during the same period, subject to those events' guidelines. How to Apply Registration is through the official Unstop listing, with a deadline of 21 September 2026. Applicants fill in the registration form and submit it; a team is considered fully registered once the form is successfully submitted. Breakfast and lunch are provided during the event, along with free accommodation for outstation participants.
Eligibility
Open to college students and early-stage builders; teams of 1–3 members. Outside-college participants must carry a signed consent letter from their institution.
