India’s AI ecosystem is moving quickly, but the next wave of breakthroughs will come from engineers who can solve real business problems, not just build impressive demos. Bessemer Venture Partners has created Bessemer Tech Catalyst with that idea in mind, an AI-focused hackathon hosted on the HackCulture platform that puts skilled technologists directly in front of the product challenges its portfolio companies are working through today.
The programme builds up to a final hackathon in Bengaluru on 5 September 2026. Unlike hackathons built on hypothetical prompts, Tech Catalyst’s problem statements come from real challenges the participating companies are solving in their own products and platforms, giving engineers a chance to work with the kind of ambiguity and constraints they would face on the job.
This year’s participating companies are Aivar, dCortex, MoveInSync, and TBX (formerly Transbank), spanning enterprise technology, operational intelligence, workplace mobility, and financial infrastructure. Sarvam joins as the programme’s AI partner, contributing AI experiences and credits for participants throughout.
Beyond the competition itself, the programme is designed to connect engineering talent with technology leaders and expose participants to problems that could shape products used by millions. Selected participants get direct access to founders, senior engineering leaders, and product teams at high-growth technology companies.
The programme carries a ₹7 lakh prize pool alongside AI credits from Sarvam, and shortlisted participants are considered for hiring opportunities across AI, engineering, product, and technology roles.
Tech Catalyst is open to engineers with 1+ years of experience at technology and product companies, as well as former founders who have built and shipped their own technology products, across disciplines including AI, machine learning, cloud infrastructure, DevOps, backend, frontend, and full-stack development.
The selection process is built to identify strong technical and problem-solving skills. Candidates register individually on the HackCulture platform, complete a personalised technical and AI assessment, and are reviewed on a rolling basis, so earlier applicants get an earlier look. Shortlisted participants are invited to the final hackathon in Bengaluru, where problem statements are revealed 24 hours before the event begins.
As AI adoption accelerates across India’s startup ecosystem, programmes like Tech Catalyst point to a growing demand for engineers who can pair technical depth with product thinking, people comfortable with ambiguity who can move an idea from concept to a working solution.
Applications are being reviewed until 8 August 2026, 11:59 PM IST, when shortlisting will begin.
