Introduction
Organizer: Economic Times (in partnership with Unstop) presents an online hackathon focused on GenAI and product development. This article explains the hackathon’s structure, participation rules, multi-phase assessment and build stages, submission requirements, and the rewards and professional opportunities on offer. Whether you are a solo innovator or part of a small team, the event’s phased approach—beginning with a GenAI-focused MCQ and idea submission, progressing to prototype delivery and a build marathon, and culminating in an offline Grand Finale—offers clear milestones and visibility. Read on for a detailed walkthrough of what to expect and what participants will submit at each stage.
Event Snapshot
The hackathon is an online hackathon organized by the Economic Times (in partnership with Unstop). Teams can consist of 1–4 members, allowing flexible collaboration from individual contributors to small interdisciplinary groups. The event follows a multi-phase model designed to evaluate both concept and execution, with each phase requiring specific deliverables and evaluations. This snapshot highlights who runs the event, the digital format, and the permitted team size—key details for prospective participants and recruiters scanning for opportunities related to GenAI and innovation challenges.
Multi-Phase Competition Format
- Phase 1 — GenAI-focused MCQ assessment + idea submission: Participants complete a GenAI-oriented multiple-choice assessment and submit their core idea for the challenge.
- Phase 2 — Prototype submission: Shortlisted teams move to prototype development and submit a package that demonstrates technical design and implementation.
- Phase 3 — Build Marathon: Selected teams participate in a live build marathon and present their work to an Economic Times jury for evaluation.
- Phase 4 — Grand Finale: The top teams advance to an offline Grand Finale; the date is to be announced (TBA).
Each phase filters for technical competence, viability of ideas, and presentation quality, forming a linear progression from concept validation to live demonstration before a jury and an offline finale.
Submission Requirements and Deliverables
The event defines clear submission expectations at the prototype and presentation stages to assess both design thinking and working solutions:
- Phase 1 Deliverables: Completion of the GenAI MCQ assessment and an idea submission outlining the core concept.
- Phase 2 Deliverables: Prototype submission that must include architecture, code, and a demo video, providing a comprehensive view of system design, implementation, and user-facing functionality.
- Phase 3 Deliverables: A live presentation during the Build Marathon to the Economic Times jury, demonstrating the prototype, technical decisions, and real-world applicability.
- Phase 4 Deliverables: Final presentations and judging at the offline Grand Finale (date TBA), where top teams showcase refined solutions.
These deliverables ensure judges evaluate both theoretical merit and working execution, from architectural diagrams through runnable code and demonstrable user experience.
Rewards, Career Opportunities and Visibility
The hackathon offers significant monetary prizes and career-oriented opportunities to winners and participants:
- Total prizes worth INR 10,00,000 awarded across top teams.
- Winner: INR 5,00,000
- 1st Runner-Up: INR 3,00,000
- 2nd Runner-Up: INR 2,00,000
- Additional benefits include Pre-Placement Interviews (PPIs), internships and job opportunities, and certificates for participants.
- Participants also gain networking with industry experts and visibility across ET platforms, providing exposure to recruiters, mentors, and a wider professional audience.
Conclusion
This Economic Times (in partnership with Unstop) online hackathon presents a structured, multi-phase journey from GenAI assessment and idea submission to prototype development, live build presentations, and an offline Grand Finale (date TBA). With teams of 1–4 members, participants must deliver assessed ideas, detailed prototypes including architecture, code and demo video, and live presentations to an ET jury. Rewards total INR 10,00,000 with specific payouts for winner and runners-up, plus PPIs, internships, job opportunities, certificates, networking, and visibility across ET platforms. For innovators focused on GenAI, this event provides a clear pathway to funding, exposure, and career advancement.