Bessemer Tech Catalyst Set to Discover India’s Next Generation of AI Builders

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.