ET AI Hackathon: Innovation begins with a challenge

Artificial intelligence (AI) has moved from being a buzzword to getting integrated into enterprises, including manufacturing, healthcare, automation services, and more, significantly changing the way we work and our workplaces as well. It is increasingly becoming a defining force across various industries, such as manufacturing, healthcare or automation services. From enhancing decision-making to creating entirely new business models, AI is a force to be reckoned with. With the rise of AI, the need for a workforce that can apply AI and solve complex business challenges is becoming evident.

Recognising the changing work dynamics, The Economic Times is hosting the ET AI Hackathon, powered by Accenture, with Posspole Catalyst as an Associate Partner. . It is a national innovation challenge designed exclusively for working professionals with over three years of experience. The event aims at product managers, architects, consultants, software engineers, data engineers, or AI/ML engineers to solve real-world enterprise challenges using AI.

About ET AI hackathon

Powered by Accenture, the ET AI Hackathon is a platform where working professionals, including consultants, software engineers and more, will come together to solve real-world challenges. Posspole Catalyst is building the builder infrastructure for the AI economy. It enables individuals to identify meaningful problems, build practical products and take promising ideas towards real-world impact, commercialization and venture creation.


The ET AI Hackathon offers candidates an exciting opportunity to test their expertise, learn from industry leaders and gain recognition for building AI solutions that address real enterprise needs.

Who can participate?

The ET AI Hackathon is open to working professionals with three or more years of experience as product managers, architects, consultants, software engineers, data engineers, or AI/ML engineers. Participants can compete individually or in teams of one to four professionals with complementary skills to tackle challenges. Each participant may join only one team.

The path to the national finale

The competition is designed in a multi-stage process which evaluates participants on both technical expertise and practical problem-solving skills. The competition has three stages:

Qualify, Build and Compete!

In the qualifying phase, participants began their journey with signing up on the Unstop platform and completing registration by June 11, 2026. The next step involved building a team of one to four professionals with complementary skills to tackle the challenges together. After that participants undertook the technical assessment to get their core capabilities evaluated. The shortlisted participants then moved on to the building phase, where they chose from the revealed enterprise problem statements that aligned with their team's strength, to develop AI-powered solutions. The solutions were released and the prototypes were submitted through the Unstop platform by 22 July, 2026.

The last phase, Compete, marks the culmination where top teams head to the grand finale on 25 August , 2026. Finalists will present their solutions to industry judges or AI experts, standing a chance to win prizes and earn national recognition.

Recognition that goes beyond the competition

Participants can get a chance to win a pool prize worth ₹10 lakh while gaining national visibility through features on the Economic Times platform. For eligible candidates, the Hackathon may also offer a fast-track interview opportunity at Accenture giving a direct career advancement with one of the world's leading technology and consulting companies. The competition gives professionals the platform to showcase what they can really do. By demonstrating their technical expertise, problem-solving capabilities, and ability to build AI solutions for real-world enterprise challenges.

Moreover, every team that submits a valid prototype earns an official certificate of participation. Finalists can gain the opportunity to present their work directly to top industry leaders and AI experts.