Startup Competitions & Hackathons in India

A national challenge to identify and accelerate validated, deployable innovations addressing heat and climate-health challenges in India, offering cash prizes and support.

Pitch competition for digital health startups run by US health-records company CharmHealth: top prize US$10,000 (about ₹9.5 lakh). Apply by 30 November 2026 (Pacific time).

An industry-specific accelerator program connecting mid-to-late stage startups with corporate partners to solve complex challenges and drive commercial collaboration.

DARPA's prize contest for autonomous trauma-surgery robots: US$3.5 million in prizes, up to US$1 million (about ₹9.5 crore) per lane. Qualification closes 14 November 2026 IST.

An India-wide grand challenge inviting students, startups, and enterprises to build innovative digital twin solutions for India's logistics sector, offering cash prizes and access to key datasets.

The D-Prize Global Competition provides up to US$20,000 to launch new organizations distributing proven poverty solutions in low- and middle-income countries.

Open deep-tech pitch contest at CES 2027, Las Vegas, 6–7 January. Four battles, US$3,000 (about ₹2.85 lakh) per winner. Entries close 16 November 2026; you must already attend CES.

A flagship initiative by the Government of Telangana challenging startups, innovators, and researchers to solve real-world public-sector problems for potential pilot and deployment opportunities.

A global competition for early-stage AI startups addressing major global challenges, offering a $20,000 grand prize, mentorship, and global exposure.

Business-plan competition for chemistry, process engineering and biotech founders: EUR 15,000 (about ₹16.4 lakh) for the winner. Business plans due 30 November 2026.

NSA 6.0 is a flagship initiative by Startup India, DPIIT, recognising and rewarding startups with innovative, scalable, and impactful solutions across 22 categories, offering a cash prize of ₹25 lakh.

A national competition by Startup India for school and college students, awarding cash prizes for innovative prototypes and MVPs across key sectors.

Stanford Center on Longevity's global student design challenge on robotics for long lives. First prize US$10,000 (about ₹9.5 lakh); finalists get US$1,000 and a mentor.

Multi-state programme, powered by Capgemini, giving MVP and growth-stage social-impact innovators deployment chances, mentorship and visibility. No cash grant.