function scale(
users){
if(users
> 1M){
return true
}
}

const impact
= buildFor(
'IAC',
100_000_000
)

class Founder
extends CTO {
build(){
return MVP
}
}

await deploy(
product,
'production'
)

SELECT *
FROM ideas
WHERE
impact > 0

git commit
-m "build
for India"

npm run
build:social
--scale=global

🐬 Dolphin Tank IndiaQ1 · Feb – MaY 2026

DTI Hackathon

Building for Scale. Engineering for Impact.

A national-level online challenge to identify India's next Founder-CTOs — builders who can architect products that serve millions and create lasting social impact.

💻100% Online

⏱️Flexi-Time

🏆₹18L Mentorship

🛠️Build a Real Product

📺OTT Featured

👤Individual Entry

Submission Deadline: 15th May 2026

About the Hackathon

What Is the DTI Hackathon?

The DTI Hackathon is a national-level online challenge to identify builders who can translate real-world problems into scalable technology products. This is not a sprint — it is a structured product-building journey.

This stage evaluates your ability to architect scalable systems, execute working prototypes, and think like a founder-CTO — not just a coder.

What Makes This Different

Unlike traditional hackathons, this is not about speed coding. It is about building products that can become startups — products with scale architecture, real users, and social impact baked in.

🏗️

Architecture-First Thinking

Build systems designed to handle millions — not just a demo that works for 10 users.

🎯

Real Product, Real Problem

Work on actual IAC ecosystem challenges — your submission could become a real startup.

🤝

Co-Founder Matching

Top winners are paired with Ideathon winners — you build what they vision.

💰

Fundraising via OTT

Selected founders pitch on national OTT to investors, angels, and public crowdfunding.

Eligibility

Who Should Apply?

If you build technology and want your code to create real-world impact — this is your stage.

🎓

College Students (Tech)

⚙️

Software Developers & Engineers

🤖

AI/ML & Data Enthusiasts

🌐

Full Stack & Platform Builders

🚀

Aspiring CTOs & Tech Entrepreneurs

🌍

Social Enterprise Tech Builders

Rewards

What Top Performers Get

Become a Founder-CTO of a funded social enterprise.

🏫

Free Entry into ₹18L Mentorship Program

Structured mentorship from top founders and CTO leaders

🛠️

Build a Real Startup Product

Your MVP becomes the foundation of an actual funded startup

🤝

Co-Founder Match with Ideathon Winner

Vision meets execution — you get paired with the best thinkers

📺

Pitch on National OTT Platform

Featured in front of millions of viewers and investors

💰

Fundraising & Distribution Support

Access IAC's ecosystem of 500K+ members, companies, and colleges

🐬

Mentorship from Unicorn Founders

Direct guidance from Dolphins — investors who protect and guide

Process

How It Works

5 steps from registration to becoming a Founder-CTO.

Click Register and enroll in the Hackathon Course on the IAC Platform. Free to join.

Action: Enroll on IAC Platform

Orientation & Builder Preparation

Understand the DTI mission, Hackathon structure, social entrepreneurship, and what it means to build with a founder-CTO mindset.

Action: Complete Orientation Modules

Access Product Problem Statements

Unlock real product-building challenges from the IAC ecosystem. Choose your track and define what you will build.

Action: Unlock & Choose Your Track

Build & Submit Your Solution

Complete all 7 tasks including a working MVP prototype and submit your deliverables via the IAC Platform.

Deadline: 15th May 2026

Selection & Progression

Top participants are evaluated by Dolphins and move into the Mentorship Stage — matched with their Ideathon co-founder.

Outcome: Entry into ₹18L Mentorship

Challenge Brief

The Build Challenge

Build technology that helps IAC scale from 500K to 100MN+ users and bring 85M jobs to India.

Context — What You Are Building For

Industry Academia Community (IAC) — Engineering the 100MN Scale

IAC is a cause-driven global ecosystem connecting college students, professionals, companies, and colleges to solve unemployability and bring 85 Million global jobs to India by 2030. Your task is to build the technology infrastructure that makes this possible — from talent matching to community engagement to trust systems.

500K+Users Today

75+Countries

100MN+Target Scale

85MJobs Mission by 2030

Choose Your Track

6 tracks to build on. Pick one or more.

Track 1

Talent Discovery & Matching Platform

How might IAC build systems that match millions of students with jobs, internships, mentors, and opportunities?

Track 2

Scalable Learning & Skilling Infrastructure

How might IAC build digital learning platforms that scale to 100M users?

Track 3

Founder–Co-Founder Matching Engine

How might IAC build trust-based founder matching at national scale?

Track 4

Impact Measurement & Reporting System

How might IAC measure social impact outcomes across millions of careers?

Track 5

Community Engagement & Retention Platform

How might IAC build systems that keep millions of users engaged long-term?

Track 6

Trust, Verification & Governance Infrastructure

How might IAC build credibility, verification, and safety across a global ecosystem?

Judging Criteria

How You Are Evaluated

100 points across 8 areas. Dolphins assess both your code and your builder mindset.

Product Scope & Clarity10%

Clear product definition

Startup-grade product framing

Architecture & System Design15%

Scalability & modularity

Engineering maturity

MVP Execution20%

Working product

Code quality & usability

Scalability Framework15%

Platform-level thinking

Growth architecture

Validation Strategy10%

Pilot design logic

Feedback integration

Impact & Shared Value15%

Social value created

Measurable impact metrics

Founder-CTO Readiness5%

Mission alignment

Entrepreneurial mindset

Pitch & Demo Quality10%

Product storytelling

Investor-grade clarity

Qualification Thresholds

Where Do You Stand?

Score 60+ to qualify. Score 85+ to fast-track to Dolphin Pitch on OTT.

60+General QualificationYou pass the Hackathon stage

70+Mentorship ShortlistEligible for ₹18L mentorship program

80+Top 10% SelectionPriority co-founder matching

85+Dolphin Pitch ReadyFast-tracked to OTT pitch stage

⚡ Bonus: Judges may award up to +5 discretionary points for exceptional architecture, breakthrough product insight, or startup-grade demo execution.

What Dolphins Look For

Beyond the Score

Dolphins assess qualitative traits that numbers can't capture. Be aware of what helps — and what disqualifies.

✅ Qualitative Factors (Non-Scored)

✓Coachability — ability to take feedback and adapt

✓Integrity & ethics in approach and execution

✓Long-term commitment to the mission

✓Builder mindset vs. just a coder mindset

🚩 Red Flags — These Can Disqualify You

✗Only a feature built, not a product with a vision

✗No scalability thinking — works for 10, not 10 million

✗Copy-paste code with no original thought or architecture

✗Pure profit-first orientation without social impact design

✗No alignment with IAC ecosystem or shared value creation

Your Journey Continues

What Happens After Hackathon?

This is your pathway to becoming a Founder-CTO of a funded startup.

🎓

Enter ₹18L Mentorship Stage

🤝

Match with Ideathon Co-Founder

🛠️

Build MVP → MMP → MLP

🐬

Pitch to Dolphins on OTT

💰

Raise Funding & Scale

Ready to Build Something that Scales?

Submission Deadline: 15th May 2026 · Questions: welcome@dolphintankindia.com