iStart Hackathon 2026

iStart Hackathon’26 is a 24-hour non-stop innovation challenge organized by iStartKIOT MX Incubator Foundation, Knowledge Institute of Technology, Salem. The event aims to bring together college students, student startups, and tech enthusiasts from various institutions to ideate, build, and present impactful solutions to real-world problems.

The hackathon focuses on fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and startup development under the vision of Innovate India 2047. Participants will submit their ideas in Stage 1 (online screening), and shortlisted teams will compete in a 24-hour offline hackathon to develop working prototypes and business models.

Selected teams will receive cash prizes, mentorship, incubation support, and potential seed funding opportunities. The event serves as a launchpad for transforming innovative ideas into scalable startups.
Stage 1: Idea Submission & Screening (Online Mode)

1. Event Announcement & Registrations Open
📅 From: 01 March 2026
Participants from various colleges register and submit their innovative ideas through the official registration portal.

2. Last Date for Idea Submission
📅 12 March 2026
Teams must submit their problem statement, proposed solution, innovation impact, and basic implementation plan before the deadline.

3. Screening & Shortlisting Process
📅 13 March 2026 – 18 March 2026
All submitted ideas will be evaluated by an expert panel based on:

Innovation & Creativity

Feasibility

Technical Implementation Plan

Scalability & Startup Potential

Social / Industrial Impact

4. Shortlisted Teams Announcement
📅 20 March 2026
Selected teams will be invited to participate in the 24-hour offline hackathon (Stage 2).

🔹 Stage 2: 24-Hour Non-Stop Hackathon (Offline – KIOT Campus, Salem)

5. Reporting & Registration Confirmation
📅 27 March 2026 – Morning
Teams complete verification and onboarding formalities.

6. Hackathon Inauguration & Problem Briefing
📅 27 March 2026 – Forenoon
Official inauguration and final instructions by organizers and mentors.

7. 24-Hour Development Sprint Begins
📅 27 March 2026 (Start)
Teams begin prototype development, coding, hardware building, model designing, and business validation.

Mentors will provide:

Technical Guidance

Business Model Support

Startup & Pitch Assistance

8. 24-Hour Development Sprint Ends
📅 28 March 2026

9. Final Demonstration & Jury Evaluation
📅 28 March 2026
Teams present:

Working Prototype / Model

Technical Architecture

Business Plan

Market Strategy

Impact & Scalability

10. Valedictory & Prize Distribution
📅 28 March 2026
Winners announced.
Top teams receive:

₹25,000 Cash Prize Pool

Mentorship

Incubation Support

Seed Funding Opportunities

Idea Submission & Screening (Stage 1)

24-Hour Non-Stop Hackathon (Stage 2)

Prototype Development & Demo Presentation

Final Pitching Session & Jury Evaluation

Mentorship & Incubation Support for Selected Teams

Registration Opens: 01 March 2026
Last Date for Idea Submission: 12 March 2026
Shortlisted Teams Announcement: 20 March 2026
Hackathon Dates: 27–28 March 2026

Stage 1: Free (No Registration Fee)
Stage 2: ₹750 per Shortlisted Team (Max 4 Members)

Knowledge Institute of Technology KIOT-Campus, NH47, Kakapalayam, Salem, Tamilnadu - 637504 India.