Key facts
- Type
- Competition
- Provider
- ACT House
- Deadline
- 8/9/2026
In short
Brainwave 2026 is an offline hackathon in New Delhi, India, gathering 500+ students and professionals from across India to build innovative solutions and compete for prizes totaling $500.
Brainwave 2026
By ACT House
CompetitionAccepting applications nowApply by 8/9/20267 days left
Aug 16 - 21, 2026
Dates
New Delhi, India
Location
$500
Total prizes
500+
Participants
1-4 members
Team size
No cost
Registration fee
Overview
Brainwave 2026 is an engaging hackathon designed to bring together over 500 students and professionals from across India. This event serves as a dynamic platform for participants to develop innovative technological solutions, collaborate with talented developers, and gain insights from industry mentors. The hackathon aims to foster an environment where creative ideas can be transformed into impactful technology, thereby shaping the future of various industries. The event encourages participants to build innovative solutions around problem statements released in two sets of tracks. Teams will go through multiple evaluation rounds, including virtual mentorship and elimination, leading up to an in-person Grand Finale in New Delhi. This structure provides a comprehensive experience, from ideation to pitching a refined prototype. Brainwave 2026 emphasizes learning, collaboration, and competition, offering participants the chance to enhance their skills, expand their networks, and compete for a prize pool of $500. It's an opportunity for aspiring technologists and innovators to make a tangible impact and gain recognition for their work.
What to build
Participants must build innovative solutions based on problem statements provided in official tracks. Two sets of tracks will be released: Track Set 1 (featuring 4 new official tracks with multiple problem statements) on July 20, 2026, and Track Set 2 (featuring 4 new official tracks with multiple problem statements) on July 30, 2026. Teams will choose a problem statement that aligns with their interests and expertise.
Prizes
1st Place (Winner)
Open category
$250
2nd Place (First Runner-Up)
Open category
$150
3rd Place (Second Runner-Up)
Open category
$100
Key dates
- Registrations beginJuly 6, 2026, 11:59 PM
- Registration PeriodJuly 7, 2026, 12:00 AM - August 12, 2026, 11:59 PM
- Release of Track Set 1July 20, 2026, 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
- Submission Round (Presentation)July 25, 2026, 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
- Release of Track Set 2July 30, 2026, 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
- Online Evaluation Round Result – Shortlisted (List 1)August 10, 2026, 08:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- Registrations endAugust 10, 2026, 11:59 PM
- Closure of Registration & SubmissionAugust 12, 2026, 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
- Online Evaluation Round Result – Shortlisted (List 2)August 14, 2026, 08:00 PM - 09:00 PM
- Hackathon startsAugust 16, 2026, 12:00 AM
- Virtual Evaluation & Elimination RoundAugust 16, 2026, 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
- Grand Finale Finalists Result AnnouncementAugust 18, 2026, 08:00 PM - 09:00 PM
- Brainwave 2026 - Grand Finale (In-person)August 21, 2026, 09:00 AM - 07:00 PM
- Hackathon endsAugust 21, 2026, 07:00 PM
Eligibility
Brainwave 2026 is open to students and professionals from across India. Teams can consist of 1 to 4 members. Travel and accommodation expenses for the Grand Finale are not covered and must be arranged by the participating teams.
How to enter
- Register for Brainwave 2026 through the provided registration link on Unstop.
- Explore Track Set 1 and Track Set 2 once they are released on July 20 and July 30, 2026, respectively.
- Choose a problem statement that aligns with your team's interests and expertise.
- Submit a presentation showcasing your proposed solution using the official PPT template during the Submission Round (July 25 - August 12, 2026).
Submission requirements
- Teams must submit a Presentation showcasing their proposed solution.
- Teams must use the official PPT template, which will be released shortly.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Team size
+
1 - 4 members.
Registration costs?
+
Registration is free.