DTI Ideathon & Hackathon 2026
By Cloud Counselage
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Quick Answer
A national online innovation challenge for Indian students and professionals to build impact-driven startups with mentorship and investor access.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- Cloud Counselage
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 21 July 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Cloud Counselage. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this competition
DTI Ideathon & Hackathon 2026 is a national innovation challenge organised by Dolphin Tank India (DTI) and powered by the Industry Academia Community (IAC). The competition invites students, professionals, entrepreneurs, and developers across India to solve real-world problems and build scalable social enterprises.
Who Should Apply Open to participants across India — students, professionals, and entrepreneurs from all backgrounds. No prior startup experience is required. Individual participation only.
Tracks
- Ideathon: Develop innovative solutions for real-world social and business challenges. Ideal for students, entrepreneurs, business thinkers, innovators, and problem solvers.
- Hackathon: Build scalable technology solutions for real-world problems. Ideal for developers, engineers, AI/ML enthusiasts, designers, product builders, and technology professionals.
Format & Timeline The competition is fully online. Participants register individually and submit their ideas or prototypes. Evaluation is followed by Founder–Co-Founder matchmaking, startup mentorship, and an investor pitch for funding. The DTI journey includes: Registration → Ideathon/Hackathon → Evaluation → Founder–Co-Founder Matchmaking → Startup Mentorship → Investor Pitch for Funding.
Prizes Mentorship worth ₹18 lakhs, national recognition, startup incubation support, investor exposure, networking opportunities, and certificates of participation. No cash prize pool is specified.
Eligibility Open to participants across India. Individual participation. Students and professionals from all backgrounds are welcome. No prior startup experience is required.
How to Apply Register by 31 July 2026 via the official Unstop page linked above.
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
Cloud Counselage
Prizes & Awards
What You Get
The prize package is non-cash and led by mentorship worth ₹18 lakhs, with startup incubation support, investor exposure, national recognition, and networking opportunities. All participants receive a certificate of participation. Beyond the prize, the DTI journey includes evaluation, founder–co-founder matchmaking, structured startup mentorship, and an investor pitch for funding — so shortlisted participants get a pathway from idea to investor conversation.
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 2
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
