Hackyard Build 2026

about this event

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.

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