Aurora Global Hackathon

Aurora is a global startup competition run by projectGRID- built forthe next generation of founders.Not a hackathon. Not a coding contest. Aurora is where your startup ideagets pressure-tested, built, and pitched to people who can actually helpit grow. The best teams don't just win prizes, they enter Aurora'sIncubation Program and get real, long-term support to turn their startupinto something fundable.────────────────────────────────────────WHY AURORA────────────────────────────────────────The world doesn't need more hackathon projects that die on Monday morning.Aurora is designed from the ground up to produce real startups, with astructured pipeline that mirrors how real ventures are built and evaluated.- Stage 1 is a business round - idea, market, and vision- Stage 2 is about building - prototype or MVP- Stage 3 is a live Shark Tank-style pitch to investors and industry experts- Top 20 teams enter Aurora's Incubation Program regardless of final ranking────────────────────────────────────────THE STAGES────────────────────────────────────────STAGE 1 — IDEA & BUSINESS ROUNDDeadline: 17th April | Shortlist announced: 27th AprilThis is where it starts. Submit your startup idea through the officialStage 1 Google Form (link below).https://forms.gle/qAvANHiBxDmAuVKx7We're not looking for code. We're looking for founders who've thoughtdeeply about a real problem.Top 200 ideas advance to Stage 2.⚠️ Devpost registration does not count as your Stage 1 submission.You must complete the Stage 1 Google Form before 17th April to beconsidered.STAGE 2 - PROTOTYPING PHASEDeadline: 4th May | Shortlist announced: 9th MayShortlisted teams bring their idea to life. Build a working prototype,MVP, or high-fidelity product demo that validates your core concept.Judged on execution quality, product thinking, and how well the buildreflects the business case from Stage 1.Top 20 teams advance - and automatically enter Aurora's Incubation Program.STAGE 3 - SHARK TANK ROUND18th May | Live PitchThe final 20 teams pitch live to a panel of judges. This is your chanceto defend your startup — the idea, the build, the market, and the vision.Awards:🏆 Overall Winner🎨 Best Design💡 Best Innovation⚙️ Best TechTech goods worth $10500!STAGE 4 - PRIZE & CLOSING CEREMONY21st May | IIT Delhi (In-Person)*Winners are announced and prizes awarded at a live ceremony at IIT Delhi.*Winners do not need to be present at the offline event in-person.────────────────────────────────────────INCUBATION PROGRAM────────────────────────────────────────The top 20 teams from Stage 2 enter Aurora's Incubation Program -a long-term support system run by projectGRID. More details on whatthis includes will be shared with shortlisted teams directly.────────────────────────────────────────SCHEDULE────────────────────────────────────────Stage 1 Deadline (Idea Round)    →   17th AprilStage 1 Shortlist                →   27th AprilStage 2 Deadline (Prototype)     →   4th MayStage 2 Shortlist                →   9th MayShark Tank Round                 →   18th MayClosing Ceremony (IIT Delhi)    →   21st May────────────────────────────────────────HOW TO ENTER────────────────────────────────────────1. Register on Devpost2. Join the Aurora Discord → TBA3. Submit your idea via the Stage 1 Google Form →https://forms.gle/qAvANHiBxDmAuVKx7All shortlist announcements and updates go out on Discord first.