Unstop TA Hackathon is India's first hackathon created exclusively for Talent Acquisition and HR leaders. Organised by Unstop and People Matters, this competition flips the script: instead of using hackathons to discover talent, it challenges the TA community to solve its own hiring problems.
Who Should Apply
This competition is designed for working professionals across India in Talent Acquisition, HR, and people roles — including TA leaders, recruiters, HRBPs, HR-tech professionals, people analytics experts, and anyone who has looked at a hiring process and thought, "There's a better way." Independent recruiters and professionals between roles are also welcome.
The Challenge
Most companies still take 40+ days to close a hire. The hackathon presents one focused case study: rethink hiring faster and smarter. Participants must present their solution in a 3-minute video.
Format & Timeline
The competition runs in two stages:
- Stage 1 — Online Submission (July 22 – August 3): Register, unlock the case study, and submit a 3-minute video presentation by August 3, 11:00 AM IST. The top 4 teams qualify directly for the Grand Finale. Results announced by 5:00 PM IST on August 3.
- Stage 2 — Grand Finale (August 6): Six teams compete live on stage at TechHR India 2026 in Delhi — 4 from online submissions and 2 wildcard teams shortlisted on-site. Each team gets a 5-minute live presentation followed by jury Q&A. The audience votes live on Unstop alongside the jury's evaluation. Two winners are announced: a Jury Winner and an Audience Winner.
Evaluation Criteria
- Problem Framing — Did you identify the real hiring bottlenecks and their root causes?
- Solution & Feasibility — Is your solution practical within a real team's budget and constraints?
- Innovation & Differentiation — Does your idea bring a fresh perspective beyond the obvious?
- Impact & Storytelling — Can you back your solution with measurable impact and present it memorably?
Prizes
- Jury Winner: ₹1,00,000 cash + trophy + on-stage felicitation
- Audience Winner: ₹50,000 cash + trophy + on-stage felicitation
- All six finalist teams receive a Certificate of Recognition from Unstop and People Matters
- All participants receive a Participation Certificate
- Shortlisted teams get complimentary passes to TechHR India
Eligibility
Open to working professionals across India in Talent Acquisition, HR, and people roles. Solo participation or teams of up to 3 members. Independent recruiters and professionals between roles are welcome.
About the Organisers
Unstop is India's leading platform for student competitions, hackathons, and hiring challenges, connecting millions of students and professionals with opportunities from top companies. People Matters is a premier media and events platform focused on HR and talent management in India, organising the flagship TechHR India conference.
How to Apply
Register on the Unstop platform, build your team (1–3 members), and unlock the case study. Submit a 3-minute video presentation by August 3, 2026, 11:00 AM IST.
