LOWKEY TECH 2026: STARTUP & AI HACKATHON

Think Beyond Code. Build Beyond Ideas.

LOWKEY TECH 2026 is a premier pan-India Startup & AI Hackathon where teams turn real-world problems into working products using AI-powered development, modern tools, and creative execution.

FORMAT & STAGES: • Round 1 (Online Selection): Dec 5–6, 2026 (48-Hour Remote Challenge). Entry Fee: ₹299 / participant. Teams of 2–5 members build and submit functional prototypes, GitHub repository, video demo, and AI disclosure via the official Google Form.

• Shortlist Announcement: Dec 16, 2026. Top qualifying teams advance to the offline grand finale in Hyderabad.

• Round 2 (Offline Grand Finale): Dec 19–20, 2026 (24-Hour In-Person Sprint in Hyderabad, Telangana). Upgrade Fee: ₹699 / participant for shortlisted finalists attending offline. Includes dedicated workspace, high-speed Wi-Fi, meals, snacks, refreshments & beverages, mentor office hours up to 11:00 AM, live jury pitches, certificates, goodies & merchandise, and networking with investors & founders.

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

THE OPEN CHALLENGE: Build Your Own AI-Powered Startup. Identify a genuine problem, create a functional solution, demonstrate what it does, and explain how it could grow into a scalable startup. Teams are not restricted to a single prescribed problem statement.

AI TOOLS & VIBE CODING: • AI coding assistants, generative AI tools, AI agents, and Vibe Coding platforms are fully permitted. • External APIs, third-party services, and paid tools are allowed. • Pre-built projects and components are permitted provided substantial new work and meaningful improvements are demonstrated, and previously developed components are disclosed.

JUDGING CRITERIA (100%): • AI-First Execution (25%) — Meaningful use of AI in ideation, research, design, coding and development. • Product Innovation (20%) — Originality, creativity and relevance to a real problem. • Functionality & Execution (20%) — Working features, usability, technical implementation and overall execution. • Market Potential (15%) — Target users, market need, business model and scalability. • AI Usage & Workflow (10%) — Effective use of AI tools, agents, prompts and Vibe Coding workflows. • Demo & Pitch (10%) — Demo quality, storytelling, clarity and communication.

PRIZES & RECOGNITION: • Prize Pool: Up to ₹1,00,000 planned (TBA: Final pool, distribution, and winner categories will be announced following sponsorship finalization). • Special Recognitions: Best AI Implementation, Best Startup Idea, Most Innovative Solution, Best Business Potential, Best Product Execution. • Digital E-Certificates for all online participants meeting submission requirements; official event certificates for offline attendees. • Internship opportunities may be offered to eligible outstanding participants from both rounds.

ORGANIZERS & CONTACT: • Email: [email protected] • Contacts: B. Monish Reddy (+91 7075324019) / Sai Vathan (+91 6303440601)