Innovate Odisha 3.0 Hackathon 2026
By AIC–Nalanda Institute of Technology Foundation
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Quick Answer
Odisha's state hackathon for student teams: document a local problem, then build a prototype in a 24-hour sprint in Bhubaneswar for cash prizes up to ₹1 lakh and AIC-Nalanda incubation. Register by 7 November 2026.
- Funding amount
- Up to ₹1L
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- 4d — 7 Nov 2026
- Location
- Odisha
About this competition
Innovate Odisha 3.0 is a statewide hackathon for students in Odisha, organised by AIC–Nalanda Institute of Technology Foundation (AIC-NITF), Bhubaneswar, with Karkhana Makerspace as knowledge partner and support from NITI Aayog's Atal Innovation Mission. Student teams pick a real problem in their own locality, back it with photos and data, propose a technology solution, and then build the prototype live during a 24-hour sprint on 28–29 November 2026 at AIC-Nalanda's campus in Bhubaneswar.
Teams apply under one of five themes tied to Odisha's priorities:
- Swasthya Setu: rural healthcare access, maternal care, primary health centres and tribal health
- Gaon to Growth: weaver cooperatives, Dokra crafts and fair market value chains for self-help groups
- Krushi and Neel Kranti: perishable farm produce, solar cold chains and coastal fisherfolk safety
- Toofan-Ready Odisha: cyclone alerts, microgrids and flood embankment defence
- Khanij Suraksha: occupational hazard monitoring, land restoration and mining community health
Solutions are expected to use AI, IoT, AR/VR, drones, or animation, VFX, gaming and comics (AVGC).
From all applications, 30 finalist teams are chosen for the on-campus sprint. Finalists get maker labs (microcontrollers, IoT sensors, 3D printing), Wi-Fi, meals and stay. Winners receive cash prizes, trophies and a fast track into AIC-Nalanda's incubation pipeline. Teams keep all their IP, and AIC-NITF takes no equity. Every registered team also receives a "Problem Documenter" certificate and written feedback from the reviewers.
Registration costs ₹500 per team. Written dossiers, videos and jury presentations can be in Odia, Hindi or English.
Eligibility
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Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Organizers
AIC-Nalanda Institute of Technology Foundation (AIC-NITF) is a technology business incubator in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, supported by the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) under NITI Aayog, Government of India. Its host institution is Nalanda Institute of Technology, and it works out of…
Learn morePrizes & Awards
- Amount
- Up to ₹1L
What You Get
- Prize money of ₹1,00,000 for top teams, with trophies, awards and certificates
- Innovate Odisha Champion: trophy, direct incubation at AIC-Nalanda and a winner certificate
- Theme-wise Best Innovation: track winner trophies and fast-track evaluation
- Best Startup Potential: fast-track incubation support at AIC-Nalanda
- Pre-incubation facility for top innovators, plus statewide recognition and media coverage
- 30 finalist teams get maker labs (microcontrollers, IoT sensors, 3D printing), Wi-Fi, meals and stay during the sprint
- Teams keep 100% of their IP; AIC-NITF takes no equity
- Every registered team receives a "Problem Documenter" certificate and reviewer feedback
- Application fee
- ₹500
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Application Fee
₹500
Selection Process
Reviewers evaluate each team's evidence dossier and idea, and the top 30 teams across the five themes are declared finalists in November 2026. Finalists build their prototype live during a 24-hour sprint at AIC-Nalanda, Bhubaneswar on 28–29 November 2026 and present to a jury, which picks the Innovate Odisha Champion, theme-wise best innovations and the Best Startup Potential award.
Application Process
- 1
Register your team
Submit the team, problem and solution details with the idea deck and pay the ₹500 fee by 7 November 2026.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the registration fee, and what do we get?
The fee is ₹500 per team. Every applicant receives an official 'Problem Documenter' certificate, detailed reviewer evaluation feedback, and access to problem discovery clinics.
Who can participate?
Students pursuing BSc, B.Tech, MCA, or MBA programs at any recognized college or university in Odisha. Teams must consist of 3 to 5 members from the same campus.
Why is at least one woman member mandatory?
Innovate Odisha 3.0 is Design Led by Women. To encourage women innovators in STEM, all teams must have at least 1 woman student member.
Can we present in Odia?
Yes! Written dossiers, videos, and jury presentations are fully welcome in Odia, Hindi, or English.
Can we build hardware prototypes?
Yes. Finalists get access to the AIC-NITF Maker Bench with microcontrollers, IoT sensors, and 3D printing equipment.
Can we use pre-written code?
No pre-written project code is allowed. Prototypes must be coded during the 24 hours. Research and problem documentation are prepared beforehand.
Who owns the Intellectual Property (IP)?
Your student team retains 100% of all IP. AIC-NITF takes zero equity or ownership.
Where is the venue and what is provided for finalists?
At Atal Incubation Centre- Nalanda Institute of Technology Foundation, Bhubaneswar on 28–29 November 2026. High-speed Wi-Fi, maker labs, and all meals are fully covered for the 30 finalists.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
