Hackyard Build 2026

Build something real. Find your people. Ship it.

Hackyard Build 2026 is a builder-focused hackathon for people who want to turn ideas, problems, and skills into working products.

You don't need a finished idea. You don't need to be an experienced developer. You can come with an idea, a problem you've experienced, a technical skill, a design skill, or simply the willingness to build.

There is no fixed theme. Build an AI agent, a useful web or mobile app, a developer tool, a startup prototype, a solution to a real-world problem, or something completely unexpected.

How it works 1. Apply

14 September – 10 October 2026

Applications are online and free to enter.

Apply individually or with a team. You can apply with an idea, a problem, or a skill. You do not need a finished product.

2. Get selected

After applications close, the Hackyard team will review submissions and select builders for the physical build.

Selected participants will become Hackyard Selected Builders and will be invited to the in-person build at IIT Guwahati.

3. Find your people

You can come with an existing team or build your team before the event.

Hackyard is built around collaboration. Find people who complement your skills, share your interests, or want to solve the same problem.

4. Build

24–25 October 2026 · IIT Guwahati

Selected builders will come together for the physical build.

You will have 24 hours to turn your idea into a working prototype, test it, improve it, and prepare it for demonstration.

5. Show what you made

Don't just explain what your product could do.

Show us what it actually does.

Projects will be evaluated based on:

  • Build · 40% — Does it actually work?

  • Problem · 20% — Does it solve a real or meaningful problem?

  • Ingenuity · 20% — Is the approach clever, original, or thoughtful?

  • Potential · 20% — Is there a reason to keep building it after the hackathon?

What can you build?

Anything within the spirit of building something useful.

Some starting points:

  • AI agents and AI-powered products

  • Developer tools

  • Web and mobile applications

  • Productivity and collaboration tools

  • Education technology

  • Fintech

  • Social and community products

  • Open-source projects

  • Solutions to real-world problems

  • Startup prototypes

  • Experimental or unusual ideas

These are examples, not restrictions.

There is no assigned problem and no fixed theme. Your idea. Your build.

Build with real tools

Every selected team will receive $100 in Hackyard LLM Credits.

Additional partner benefits are also planned, including:

Browser Use (YC W25)
$100 in Browser Use credits for each of the 100 teams selected for the second round.

XYZ Domain Foundation
One-year domains for the top 50 builders, one each.

Additional builder partners, tools, mentors, challenges, and opportunities may be announced before the event.

Prizes & recognition

Awards currently include:

  • Best Build · Overall

  • Best Use of AI · Thoughtful

  • The Wildcard · Unexpected

  • Real-World Build

  • Builder to Watch

Final prize details will be announced as they are confirmed.

Venue & participation

Venue partner: IIT Guwahati
Dates: 24–25 October 2026
Entry: Free for selected builders

Food and accommodation will be available at a nominal participant fee. Exact costs and arrival information will be shared with selected builders before the event.

What we care about

Hackyard Build 2026 is not about making the biggest presentation.

It's about making something that works.

IDEA → BUILD → TEST → SHOW

Bring your idea. Bring your skills. Find your people.

Then build something real.

Requirements

Submission Requirements

Build a working project during Hackyard Build 2026 and submit it through Devpost before the submission deadline announced by the organizers.

Your submission must include:

1. Project description

Explain:

  • What you built

  • What problem it solves

  • Who it is for

  • How it works

  • What makes your approach different

2. Working demo

Provide a link to a working version of your project whenever possible.

If your project cannot be hosted publicly, provide another way for judges to test or experience it.

3. Demo video

Submit a short demo video showing your project in action.

The video should focus on the working product rather than a long presentation.

4. Source code

Provide a link to your source code repository, such as GitHub.

The repository should contain enough information for judges to understand and, where practical, run the project.

Include a README with:

  • Project overview

  • Setup instructions

  • Technologies used

  • How to run the project

  • Any required API keys, services, or dependencies

5. Technologies used

List the major technologies, frameworks, APIs, models, datasets, and other tools used to build your project.

6. Team information

All team members must be added to the Devpost project submission.

Important

Your project should demonstrate meaningful work completed during the hackathon.

You may arrive with an idea, research, designs, boilerplate code, or general knowledge, but the submitted project should include substantial work done during the build period.

Projects that are substantially built before the hackathon may be disqualified at the organizers' discretion.

Third-party APIs, libraries, open-source software, datasets, and AI tools are allowed unless specifically restricted by a challenge or partner prize.

If your project uses third-party services or AI-generated components, clearly mention them in your submission.

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

7 non-cash prizes
Best Build - Overall
1 winner

Top overall build at Hackyard Build 2026.

Best Use of AI - Thoughtful
1 winner

Most thoughtful use of AI in a working build.

The Wildcard - Unexpected
1 winner

For the most unexpected build.

Real-World Build
1 winner

For a build that solves a real-world problem.

Builder to Watch
1 winner

For a builder with standout potential.

Browser Use Credits - Second Round
100 winners

$100 in Browser Use credits for each of the 100 teams selected for the second round.

XYZ Domains - Top 50 Builders
50 winners

One-year .xyz domains for the top 50 builders, one each.

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Hackyard Team

Hackyard Team
Organizing Team, Hackyard

Judging Criteria

  • Build — 40%
    Does the project actually work? Judges will consider functionality, completeness, execution, and the quality of the working demonstration.
  • Problem — 20%
    Does the project address a real or meaningful problem? Judges will consider the clarity of the problem and how effectively the project addresses it.
  • Ingenuity — 20%
    Is the approach clever, original, or thoughtful? Judges will consider the creativity of the idea, technical approach, product thinking, and implementation.
  • Potential — 20%
    Is there a reason to keep building it after the hackathon? Judges will consider the project's usefulness, potential users, scalability, and opportunities for continued development.

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

Invite others to compete

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