EPOCH '26

Frequently Asked Questions

Name: EPOCH '26 - 24-Hour Hackathon Bangalore
Start: 2026-05-01T11:00:00+05:30
End: 2026-05-02T11:00:00+05:30
Location: Vemana Institute of Technology

Everything you need to know before and during the hackathon.

General

What is EPOCH '26?

A 24-hour national-level hackathon hosted at Vemana Institute of Technology where students build innovative tech solutions.

Who can participate?

Students from any college, any year, and any discipline can participate.

What is the team size?

Teams must have 2-4 members.

Registration & Fees

What is the registration fee?

₹1500 per team for EPOCH '26 (single round).

Is the fee refundable?

No, the registration fee is non-refundable.

Does registering early help?

Yes. Registrations are confirmed strictly on a first-come, first-serve basis after successful payment.

Is IEEE membership mandatory?

No. IEEE membership is optional and not required to register or participate.

Event Format

How many rounds are there?

Only one round. EPOCH '26 is a single-round 24-hour offline hackathon.

Is there any shortlisting round before the event?

No. There is no separate screening or shortlisting round.

How are slots confirmed?

Slots are locked on a first-come, first-serve basis once registration payment is completed.

Are problem statements open innovation?

No. Each domain gets 3 official problem statements on Day 1, and teams must choose from those only.

When are problem statements revealed?

Problem statements are revealed at the start of Day 1 of the hackathon.

Rules & Participation

Can we use pre-built projects?

No. Projects must be built during the hackathon. Open-source libraries and APIs are allowed.

Can we change our idea after registration?

Minor refinements are allowed, but your core problem statement and track should remain aligned.

Can we use frameworks, libraries, and APIs?

Yes. They are allowed, but core logic, implementation, and integration must be built during the hackathon.

Are hardware projects allowed?

Yes. Teams can build hardware-only or hybrid solutions using Arduino, sensors, modules, and basic components.

Can we bring pre-built hardware models?

No. Pre-built or semi-built models are not allowed. Integration and build must happen during the event.

Are 3D-printed parts allowed?

Yes. Basic materials and 3D-printed parts are allowed if the core functionality is built during the hackathon.

Prizes

What is the prize pool?

₹3,00,000 total across 3 domains, with ₹1,00,000 per domain split as ₹50,000, ₹30,000, and ₹20,000.

Logistics

Where is the venue?

Vemana Institute of Technology, Koramangala, Bangalore.

Will food be provided?

Yes, food will be provided during the hackathon.

Will internet be provided?

Yes, internet access will be provided at the venue.

Do participants need to bring their own laptops?

Yes, all participants must bring their own laptops and required accessories.

Do teams need to bring a spike buster / extension board?

Yes, each team must carry at least one spike buster / extension board for power access.

Contact

How will we receive updates?

Updates will be shared via email & WhatsApp).

Who can we contact for queries?

Email: epoch26@vemanait.ac.in | Phone/WhatsApp: +91 63620 29195.