FORGE-X Deep-Tech Product Challenge
A programme by CMRIT Incubation Center
A 24-hour national deep-tech hackathon run with the Basic Mechanical Engineering department; the last edition ran in April 2026.
At a glance
| Best for | Students, working alumni and early-stage deep-tech startups |
|---|---|
| Stage | Idea – Prototype |
| Duration | 24 hours |
| Format | In person |
| Cost | Paid |
| Run with | CMRIT Basic Mechanical Engineering Department, Institution's Innovation Council (IIC) |
About FORGE-X Deep-Tech Product Challenge
FORGE-X is a 24-hour national-level hackathon for turning advanced technology into workable products. The last edition ran over 8 and 9 April 2026 in three stages, organised by the centre with CMRIT's Basic Mechanical Engineering department in association with the Institution's Innovation Council. It is closed for now; watch the centre's events page for the next edition. Entry is by paid team registration.
What it covers
- Artificial intelligence, robotics, quantum technologies and semiconductor systems
- Biotechnology, spacetech, cybersecurity and climatetech
- Hardware and software entries, judged on product thinking rather than ideas alone
Who can apply
- Undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students from recognised institutions, across engineering, computer science, biotechnology, physics, design and management
- Graduates of accredited institutions working as professionals, researchers or independent innovators
- Early-stage deep-tech startups with a prototype or proof-of-concept solution
How selection works: three stages across the 24 hours.
How to apply: registration opens on the event page ahead of each edition; teams pay a registration fee.
Where to apply
Other CMRIT Incubation Center programmes
- Pre-Incubation ProgramEntry stage for founders with an idea, covering customer discovery, business model work, IP protection and incorporation guidance.
- Incubation ProgramCore incubation for founders with a working prototype and a defined business model, with full access to the campus infrastructure.
- Accelerator ProgramTime-bound cohort for founders scaling up, with business plan work, pitch coaching, demo day access and investor introductions.
- MSME Host Institute proof-of-concept pathwayThe route the centre points external innovators at, to take an idea to a validated proof of concept under its Ministry of MSME Host Institute recognition.
- Technology Startup Boot CampShort cohort-based training for people ready to start a company, most recently run as a four-day boot camp in April 2026.
- Leadership Program for EntrepreneursPeer cohort for founders whose businesses have stalled, built around diagnosing the bottleneck with peers and mentors.
- Faculty Development Programme for EntrepreneurshipTraining for academics on guiding students into founding companies, and on commercialising their own research.