GLOBAL HACKATHON ECOSYSTEM · TERNS.TECH
Where the world builders take flight.
Terns is a global ecosystem for hackathons, builders, and communities. Born from late-night sessions, designed for the world. We connect founders, hackers, creators, and students across borders.
THE STORY
We chose the name Terns
for a reason.
Arctic Terns travel 70,000 km every year — the longest migration of any living creature. They cross entire oceans, navigate by the stars, and always find their way. They never stay in one place. But wherever they land, they build a community.
We are builders who cross borders. We have lived in Pune and Hamburg, built AI systems and startups, stayed up all night hacking on ideas. We are Terns.
And we built this platform for everyone like us — the developers, designers, and founders who know that the best things get built when the right people find each other, anywhere in the world.
WHAT WE BUILD
Community-first. Builder-native. Globally-minded.
We don't run generic hackathons. Terns curates real challenges, real mentors, and real outcomes — then wraps them in a global community that outlasts every event.
Real Challenges, Real Companies
Every hackathon track is sourced from a company with a genuine, unsolved problem. No toy datasets, no made-up scenarios — real business contexts, real stakes, real outcomes.
Global Community
Builders from 15+ countries and growing. Your next co-founder is in the community.
Expert Mentorship
Direct access to founders, engineers, and product leaders throughout every event.
AI-Native Events
Every challenge has an AI angle. We partner with leading platforms — Cursor, OpenAI, and more — to give every team access to cutting-edge tools, APIs, and compute. Builders come to Terns events to work with the best stack.
Ship & Win
24 hours. Zero to prototype. Pitch to judges. Win prizes, job interviews, and a network that lasts.
Community Forever
The event lasts 24 hours. The community is permanent. Discord servers, monthly meetups, and a global network of builders. Terns doesn't end when the hackathon does.
COMMUNITY
Join builders from around the world.
Connect with founders, hackers, creators, and students before, during, and after every event. This is a movement, not just a meetup.
PUNE, INDIA
Why we started in Pune.
Pune is India's fastest-growing tech ecosystem — home to 4,000+ startups, a massive engineering talent pool, and a builder culture unlike any other. It's where Terns was born.
HOW IT WORKS
From application to prototype in 6 steps.
Apply
Submit your application solo or with a team. We welcome developers, designers, and product thinkers.
Get Accepted
We review all applications and respond within two weeks. Diverse skill sets are celebrated.
Confirm Your Spot
Secure your place with a quick confirmation. Spots are limited — act fast.
Get Matched
We assign you to a challenge and team based on your skills and preferences.
Build
24 hours to turn a real problem into a working prototype — with mentorship at every step.
Pitch & Win
Present your solution. Judges pick winners per challenge. Prizes, offers, recognition.
LATEST UPDATES
What's new at Terns.
HackPune applications opening soon
We're finalising challenge partners and the venue. Sign up to be the first to apply.
Terns community crosses 1,000 builders
The movement is growing faster than we imagined. Join the conversation on Discord.
Exploring partnerships with leading AI platforms
In conversations with Cursor, OpenAI, Lovable, Manus, and more. Announcements coming.
Ready to take flight?
Join Terns — a global hackathon ecosystem built for builders, founders, hackers, and creators. Your next great project, your next co-founder, your next community — all in one place.