INDO-GERMAN AI HACKATHON · PUNE, INDIA · 2026
Build real AI solutions for real companies.
Terns' flagship Indo-German AI hackathon. 160 curated Indian builders. 8 German company challenges. 24 hours to ship a working AI prototype, and meet mentors, judges, and recruiters.
PITCH DECKS
Explore our decks. Swipe through every page.
CHALLENGES
Coming Soon
We're lining up challenge partners and tracks for HackPune 2026. Confirmations will be shared on the updates page as soon as they're official.
Follow the updatesWHO SHOULD APPLY
You don't need to be a developer.
Engineers & Developers
Frontend, backend, full-stack, ML engineers - the core builders who turn ideas into prototypes.
Designers & Product Thinkers
UX designers, product managers, researchers - challenges need people who understand users.
Founders & Builders
Early-stage founders and indie hackers looking for validation, co-founders, and real-world problems.
Students & Fresh Grads
Pune's engineering colleges produce world-class talent. HackPune is your stage.
24 HOURS · TWO DAYS · ONE GOAL
Provisional schedule
3 & 4 October 2026 (Sat & Sun) · Pune, India. Inspired by ChefTreff AI Hackathon 2026. Times are provisional and may shift as we finalise the venue.
Saturday · 3 October 2026
Sunday · 4 October 2026
Check-in & breakfast
Collect your kit (T-shirt, badge, swag) and find your seat.
09:00 · Welcome by Terns · 09:30 · Team building for solo applicants
Breakfast & finalize
Judges review overnight submissions. Teams polish demos.
Submit: GitHub repo + 3-min demo video + pitch deck (max 4 slides)
Challenge partner presentations
All 8 partners pitch their challenge (3–5 min each).
10:30 · Tech partner onboarding (Cursor, OpenAI, etc., TBA)
11:30 · Challenge onboarding with mentors
Pitches & jury
4-min pitch + 3-min Q&A per team. Top 2 teams per challenge on main stage.
One judge per challenge (from partner company) + Terns jury member.
Hack begins
13:00 · Lunch · 14:00 · Speed dating with challenge partners (3-min rotations)
16:00 · Women in AI coffee session · 18:00 · Dinner · 22:00 · Snacks & code freeze
Awards & closing
8 winners announced (one per challenge). Group photo.
13:30 · Networking, lunch & official end.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
More than just hacking.
Structured like ChefTreff AI Hackathon 2026, keynote, mentoring, inclusivity, and recruiting built in.
Opening keynote
30-minute keynote from a European challenge partner (TBA). Visual-first, peer-to-peer, hoodie not suit.
Speed dating with partners
Day 1, 14:00–15:00. 3-minute rotations at each challenge table. Clarify scope, find teammates, start recruiting conversations.
Women in AI
Day 1, 16:00–17:00 coffee session. We target 30% women participants. Deposit waiver available for underrepresented applicants.
Mentors & jury
1 mentor + 1 judge per challenge partner. Mentors on-site Day 1 (09:00–22:00). Judges score Day 2 pitches, top 2 teams per challenge, one winner each.
TECH PARTNERS IN CONVERSATION
Building with the best tools.
We're exploring partnerships with leading AI platforms. Announcements coming soon - nothing is confirmed yet.
Cursor
OpenAI
Lovable
ManusFAQs
Get answers to your questions about HackPune, Terns, and how to participate.
When is HackPune 2026?
How does judging work?
Is there a Women in AI session?
What is Terns?
Do I need to be a developer?
Is it free to participate?
Ready to take flight?
Applications opening soon. Sign up to be the first in line.