Everything, in one place.

LOWKEY TECH 2026 is a Startup & AI Hackathon for students, developers, designers, founders and innovators across India. It combines a 48-hour online selection challenge with a 24-hour offline grand finale in Hyderabad. Teams can use AI tools, external APIs, paid platforms and Vibe Coding workflows; the emphasis is on useful products, thoughtful execution and a clear product vision.

What makes it different

• —AI-enabled building. Use AI assistants and modern development tools throughout your workflow.
• —Vibe Coding is allowed. Teams may use AI-powered coding platforms and workflows.
• —Startup mindset. Focus on user problems, product value, business potential and scalability.
• —Creative freedom. Choose a track, or bring an idea from another domain through Open Innovation.
• —Mentorship & exposure. Learn from mentors and present your product to the judging panel.
• —Pan-India participation. The online round is open to teams from all Indian states and union territories.

Who should join

• —College students & student innovators
• —Developers, programmers & AI builders
• —UI/UX designers & product thinkers
• —Aspiring startup founders & entrepreneurs
• —AI enthusiasts, creators & problem-solvers

• —All fees are per participant.
• —The offline fee is an additional payment and is not included in the online registration fee.
• —Registration fees are strictly non-refundable and non-transferable.
• —Registration is confirmed only after successful payment verification through the official process.

Online participation is open across India. Shortlisted teams are expected to attend the finale in person. The announced venue is Sri Sai Luxury Heaven Retreat, Hyderabad; the exact address and on-ground reporting instructions are shared with shortlisted teams.

Students, aspiring founders and developers from anywhere in India. Teams of 2–5 members.

• —Teams of 2 to 5 members. Two-member teams are allowed.
• —Team-only registration — solo entries are not allowed.
• —Team composition stays the same across the online and offline rounds.
• —Any exceptional member change needs prior approval from the organising team.
• —Participants may register from any state or union territory in India.

1. 01AI in Healthcare. Healthcare access, care coordination, health operations and patient support.
2. 02FinTech & Smart Finance. Financial inclusion, payments, budgeting, fraud awareness and smarter finance.
3. 03Smart Cities & Sustainability. Urban mobility, waste, water, energy and sustainable communities.
4. 04EdTech & Future Learning. Personalised learning, education access, skills and student productivity.
5. 05AgriTech & Rural Innovation. Tools for farmers, rural services, supply chains and local economies.
6. 06Cybersecurity & Digital Safety. Privacy, security awareness, safer digital services and cyber resilience.
7. 07AI & Business Automation. AI agents, workflow automation, productivity and tools for businesses.
8. 08Open Innovation. Any other domain where a team can demonstrate a genuine problem and a useful solution.

During the 48-hour window (December 5–6, 2026) each team selects a track, identifies a problem, builds or advances its solution, and submits the required materials through the official LOWKEY TECH Google Form. The organisers share the form link and deadline with registered teams.

Submission checklist

1. 01Project title & team details. Project name and details of every team member.
2. 02Selected track. Choose the most relevant track.
3. 03Problem statement. What issue are you addressing, and who experiences it?
4. 04Proposed solution. Explain how your product solves the problem.
5. 05Project document. Objectives, target users, key features, workflow, technology stack, implementation details, expected impact and business potential.
6. 06Presentation video. A clear video presentation in English, submitted as instructed in the Google Form.
7. 07GitHub / repository link. If available.
8. 08Working demo or deployment link. Prototype or deployment link, if available.
9. 09AI usage declaration. List the AI tools and platforms used and explain how they contributed.

Late or incomplete submissions may be disqualified.

• —AI coding assistants, generative AI tools, AI agents and Vibe Coding platforms are allowed.
• —External APIs, third-party services and paid AI tools are permitted.
• —Teams are responsible for their own paid subscriptions, API usage and related costs.
• —Teams should be transparent about AI-generated or AI-assisted components in their AI usage declaration.

Pre-built projects

Pre-built projects and previously developed components are allowed, but teams must demonstrate substantial new work, meaningful improvements or additional features relevant to the challenge. Previously developed components must be clearly disclosed, and teams should be ready to explain what was built or improved during the hackathon.

Intellectual property

Participants retain ownership of their original ideas, source code, designs and other intellectual property. LOWKEY TECH does not claim ownership of participant projects.

Shortlisted teams come together for a 24-hour startup-building experience: continue building, receive mentorship, prepare final demonstrations and pitch to the judging panel.

Facilities & support

• —Dedicated workspace for participating teams
• —Wi-Fi / internet access at the venue
• —Meals, snacks, refreshments & beverages
• —Mentorship from invited mentors & industry professionals
• —Pitching & presentation arrangements
• —Participation certificates & event goodies
• —Networking with founders, mentors, judges & other teams

What every team should be ready to present

1. 01A working product or functional prototype
2. 02Project documentation — problem, solution and implementation
3. 03GitHub repository or source code, where applicable
4. 04Live deployment or a working demonstration
5. 05Pitch deck — problem, solution, users, product, business model and scalability
6. 06AI usage declaration — tools, platforms and AI-assisted workflows

What to bring

• —Laptop and charger
• —Valid college or government-issued ID
• —Mobile phone and charger
• —Any adapters, accessories or development equipment you need

Mentor interactions run through the event, with mentor hours extending up to 11:00 on the final day. The organisers coordinate overnight operations; the detailed run-of-show is shared separately.

Shortlisting follows the organisers’ evaluation process; the shortlist is scheduled for December 16, 2026. Organisers may request clarification or a project demonstration. Evaluation and selection decisions are final.

Online-round participants are eligible for an official digital participation certificate (E-Certificate), subject to participation and submission requirements.

Offline participants are eligible for an official event participation certificate, subject to attendance and event requirements.

Internship opportunities may be offered to eligible and outstanding participants from both rounds, subject to performance, evaluation, partner availability and selection processes. Internships are not guaranteed.

Final categories are subject to organiser and sponsor confirmation. Possible categories: Best AI Implementation, Best Startup Idea, Most Innovative Solution, Best Business Potential, Best Product Execution, Special Jury Recognition.

Conduct

• —Provide accurate registration and submission information.
• —Submit original work, and disclose pre-built work, third-party resources and AI-assisted components.
• —Respect intellectual property, privacy, confidentiality and the rights of others.
• —Do not submit harmful, illegal, deceptive or unsafe applications.
• —Late, incomplete, misleading or unverifiable submissions may be rejected or disqualified.
• —Organisers may request additional information or a demonstration to verify project work.
• —Respect other teams, mentors, judges, venue staff and event rules.

Photos, videos and participant privacy

Participant photographs, videos, interviews and project demonstrations will not be used for promotional or marketing purposes by default. Any external sharing or promotional use of identifiable participant content requires explicit consent from the relevant participants.

Safety

Participants are responsible for their travel and personal belongings.

Email

saivathan02@gmail.com

Phone / WhatsApp

+91 63034 40601

The Google Form link, deadlines, shortlist, venue instructions and updates come through official LOWKEY TECH communications. If information changes, the latest official organiser announcement applies.