About This Competition
Emerge21 is a global 21-day sprint challenge by Emergent AI, the world’s fastest-growing AI startup.
Your mission? Build and deploy a real AI app within 21 days
and walk away with
- A Pre-Placement Interview to work with the worlds fastest growing AI Start-up
- Applied AI Live Project & Internships via AltUni
- Guaranteed Official Applied AI Certification by Emergent (for all accepted submissions)
- Cash Rewards
This season’s theme: Build Local. Scale Global.
Solve a nearby problem, design for anywhere — because great innovation starts in your backyard and belongs to the world.
No fluff. No endless tutorials. Just you, your idea, and the power of Emergent’s AI vibe-coding platform.
⚡So if you’ve ever wanted to say “I built this.”
This is your moment.⚡
Emerge21 is where the next generation of AI builders take off 🚀
Rules & Guidelines
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The Emerge21 Challenge unfolds in three rounds — Spot The Spark, Build The Fix, and Emerge Loud.
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In Round 1, participants identify ONE problem statement from three core themes across five sectors.
In Round 2, they build and submit their solution — including the project link on Emergent.
In Round 3, participants can take their build public by sharing it on social media for a spotlight by the Emergent and InsideIIM teams. -
Participants may revise or change their problem statement anytime before the challenge closes on Nov 9th, 11:59 PM IST.
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The submission window for the challenge opens on Oct 20th, 2025 and remains open until Nov 10th, 11:59 PM IST.
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To be eligible for rewards, participants must register for the challenge and deploy the solution on Emergent by the stipulated timeline.
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Participants who successfully deploy a functional, bug-free build and complete Round 2 will be certified as Applied AI Practitioner by Emergent AI and InsideIIM.
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All projects must be developed and deployed exclusively on the Emergent platform — app.emergent.sh.
- You don’t need any technical or programming background to join Emerge21 — all it takes is imagination, intent, and the will to build with AI.
Rewards & Benefits
For Academic participants (Undergrad / Postgrad students)
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Pre-Placement Interview (PPI) opportunities with Emergent AI for Top 10 deploys
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Guaranteed AI live projects for top 5 participants with AltUni Labs
- Top 2 Deploys: ₹40,000 / $450 total (₹25,000 / $280 & ₹15,000 / $170)
For Working Professionals / enterpreneurs / Transitioning professionals
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Pre-Placement Interview (PPI) opportunities with Emergent AI for Top 10 deploys
- Guaranteed AI gigs for top 5 participants with AltUni Labs
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Top 3 Deploys: ₹90,000 / $1080 total (₹40,000 / $480 + ₹30,000 / $360 + ₹20,000 / $240)
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Ranks 4–10: ₹70,000 / $840 total (₹10,000 / $120 each)
Eligibility Criteria
Students, early-career professionals, and dreamers from across the world — if you believe in building something that matters, this is your moment.
💡 You need to have an Emergent subscription to be able to deploy the solution. Emerge21 offers exclusive subscription discounts to its participants.
Timeline
- Registrations Open: Oct 18 – Oct 26
Register for the challenge and officially join the Emerge21 global builder community. - Round 1 : Spot the Spark (Choose Your Challenge):
Right after registration, you’ll get access to 3 big themes across 5 emerging sectors.
Pick your problem statement — the one you want to fix for the future. - Round 2: Build the Fix (Build Sprint Window): Oct 20 – Nov 10
The real game begins. You’ll have 21 days to design, build, and deploy your AI solution using the Emergent platform. - Along the Way:
Attend live Masterklasses with the Emergent team, get access to exclusive resources to build, and get hands-on mentorship to help you go from idea to launch. - Submission Deadline: Nov 10, 11:59 PM IST
Deploy your final build for evaluation by the Emergent and InsideIIM teams. - Results
Top 10 submissions and prize winners will be announced on Nov 21.