Fund My Crazy 2026 by Google Gemini
By Google
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Quick Answer
Google Gemini's student innovation challenge — reimagine one part of your city and win a share of ₹1 crore across 10 winners.
- Funding amount
- ₹3 Lakhs – ₹25 Lakhs
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Eligible stage
- Idea
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 15 September 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Google. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this competition
Fund My Crazy 2026 is Google Gemini's student innovation challenge. It asks one question: if you could redesign one piece of your city, what would it be? Ten students or teams take home a share of ₹1 crore.
You do not need a company, a prototype, a co-founder, or a single line of code. You need one idea, four short answers, and one image you made with Gemini. That is the whole entry.
Applications close 15 September 2026, 11:59 PM IST. There is no entry fee.
Who can enter
You must be at least 18 (as of 30 July 2026), a legal resident of India, and enrolled full-time at an accredited Indian college or university during the submission window. Every discipline counts — arts, commerce, law, medicine, design, engineering. Google may ask for your student ID or enrolment certificate, and you get 5 working days to produce it.
Enter alone or as a team of up to 3. Teammates can be from different colleges as long as everyone is enrolled in India. One member is the primary contact and represents the team at the finale. One entry per person or team — you cannot submit twice, and you cannot edit after submitting.
Not eligible: international students, Google employees and contractors, their immediate family and household, and anyone previously banned from a Google contest.
Pick one of six themes
- Our Roads & Transportation — how people and vehicles move through the city.
- Our Community & Living — societies, colonies, neighbourhoods, parks.
- Our Healthcare — the places we go when we need care.
- Our Education — how we learn, teach and grow.
- Our Markets — shops, malls and the digital platforms behind them.
- Surprise us — anything that redefines what a city could be.
The examples Google gives are deliberately big: a street that generates power from its own surface, a neighbourhood that makes its own electricity and recycles its own water, a classroom that becomes a forest or another planet. The brief rewards the leap, not the spreadsheet.
What you actually submit
There are no essay word limits on the live form — but there are five things it demands, and one of them trips people up.
First you pick your element from a dropdown: Roads and Transportation, Our Education, Our Healthcare, Our Community and Living, Our Markets, or Surprise Element. Then four questions, all mandatory:
- Why this element, why now? Something made you pick this piece of the city over everything else. The form explicitly says: don't be general.
- What does your reimagined city look like? How does it work — a smart system, a redesigned space, a new service, a physical structure? Paint the picture.
- How is Gemini integrated into your idea, and what role does it play in your solution? Be specific about the role and the prompts you used. Is it scanning the city, reading traffic patterns, understanding voice or text?
- How relevant is this for people in the future? Who it helps, how it fits into how people actually live, and what makes it believable rather than just a cool concept.
Plus your name, email, phone with country code, and college with city.
The image, and the part people miss
Upload one visual: JPG or PNG only, maximum 10 MB. It has to show what your reimagined element looks like — the transformation for a redesigned space, the flow for a system or service, the render for a structure, the thing in action for a smart layer.
And then the requirement that is easy to fail: you must supply proof you used Gemini — your conversation history and screenshots of your prompts. Using ChatGPT, Midjourney, DALL·E or any other tool means immediate disqualification. So do not delete that Gemini chat. Screenshot your prompts as you go, before you have a finished image and forget where it came from.
Note: the published terms describe an older version of the form — 100/200/100/150-word fields and a PDF upload up to 25 MB. The live form at enter.fundmycrazy.com is what you actually fill, so follow it: JPG or PNG, 10 MB, four open questions.
What it scores on
| Criterion | Weight | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Vision | 30% | A genuine conceptual leap — does it reframe how we see the problem? |
| Real-life relevance | 20% | Solves a real community need, not a hypothetical one |
| Built with Gemini | 20% | You used Gemini to brainstorm, design and visualise it |
| Future focused | 15% | Gets ahead of the problem the city will have next |
| Execution | 15% | Someone could actually fund and build this |
Legal and policy compliance is scored separately as pass/fail. Fail it and you are out before a judge sees your idea.
Vision alone is nearly a third of the marks, and "Built with Gemini" is worth as much as real-world relevance — so document your Gemini process rather than treating the image as decoration.
What gets you disqualified
Google's content rules are unusually strict and enforced at any stage, including after winners are announced. No appeals. Automatic disqualification for anything political, religious, illegal, hateful or discriminatory; plagiarism or reusing an idea from another contest; violence, sexual content, defamation, or promoting alcohol, tobacco or drugs; false or misleading claims.
Two traps worth naming. First: an idea that looks neutral but carries a political or religious agenda is still out. You can address a social problem — you just cannot frame it in those terms. Second: your entry must be original work created for this campaign. Something you already submitted elsewhere, published, or won with does not qualify, and Google says it runs plagiarism checks.
Criticising your college is fine. Targeting a community, caste or region is not.
The prizes, and what actually reaches your account
Ten finalists pitch at the finale and every one of them is paid:
| Tier | Winners | Each |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Top 3 | ₹20,00,000 – ₹25,00,000 |
| Tier 2 | Next 4 | ₹7,00,000 – ₹10,00,000 |
| Tier 3 | Final 3 | ₹3,00,000 – ₹5,00,000 |
Total pool: ₹1,00,00,000. Judges set the exact amount inside each tier based on how ambitious and viable your idea is. Google can award fewer than 10 prizes if not enough entries qualify, and the structure is marked subject to change.
Prize money is taxed. TDS of about 30% applies to winnings above ₹10,000. A ₹10,00,000 prize means roughly ₹3,00,000 deducted and about ₹7,00,000 in hand. You get a Form 16A. Before payment you complete KYC — PAN, bank details, cancelled cheque, ID proof, address proof — and money lands within 120 working days of that paperwork. For teams, it all goes to the primary contact, who splits it. Agree the split in writing before you submit.
You are encouraged but not required to spend the money on the idea, and Google does not ask for reports.
The finale
Google flies confirmed finalists in — round-trip economy air or train, hotel, local transport and meals, all covered. No cash instead of travel. You attend mentorship sessions and, if asked, pitch live to the judges. The city and date have not been announced yet. You must confirm within 24 hours of being notified, so watch your inbox and your spam folder.
Do you keep your idea?
Yes. Ownership stays with you — Google takes no equity and no assignment of your IP. What you do grant is a worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual and irrevocable non-exclusive licence for Google to show, reproduce and adapt your submission for promotion, plus the right to use your name, likeness and college in campaign marketing. That licence does not end when the campaign does. If publicity is a problem for you, read Section 6 and 11 of the terms before entering.
Timeline
- 15 August 2026 — submissions open
- 15 September 2026, 11:59 PM IST — submissions close
- 16–17 September 2026 — judging
- By 19 September 2026 — finalists confirm within 24 hours of being notified
- Finale date, venue and judges — to be announced
The campaign is run for Google India Private Limited by Communique Marketing Solutions Pvt. Ltd. as contest administrator.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Organizers
Google Google, founded in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, is the world's most used search engine and a global technology leader in cloud computing, AI, advertising, and consumer products. Through Google for Startups and Google Cloud, Google is one of the most impactful…
Learn moreCommunique is an Indian experiential marketing and event management agency that builds brand experiences combining live events with digital execution. Its work covers product launches, corporate programmes such as sustainability summits and student ambassador networks, on-ground…
Learn morePrizes & Awards
- Amount
- ₹3 Lakhs – ₹25 Lakhs
What You Get
Ten winners share a ₹1 crore prize pool: the top 3 ideas get ₹20–25 lakh each, the next 4 get ₹7–10 lakh each, and the final 3 get ₹3–5 lakh each. Judges set the exact figure inside each tier based on the scope and viability of the idea.
Beyond the cash, confirmed finalists get a fully paid trip to the grand finale — round-trip economy air or train fare, hotel, local transport and meals — plus mentorship sessions and media coverage across Google's channels.
Two things to plan for. Prize money is pre-tax: roughly 30% TDS applies, so a ₹10 lakh prize pays out around ₹7 lakh, with a Form 16A issued. And for teams, the full amount is paid to the primary contact, who is responsible for splitting it — settle that before you apply. Payment follows KYC and lands within 120 working days.
- Disbursement
- Lump Sum
- Cohort size
- 10 startups
- Application fee
- Free
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Application Fee
Free
Selection Process
Judging runs in two stages, back to back on 16–17 September 2026.
Stage 1 — compliance screen. Every entry is checked against Google's content rules. Anything political, religious, illegal, hateful, discriminatory or plagiarised is removed before judging, with no appeal and no explanation owed. This is pass/fail and it happens before anyone scores your idea.
Stage 2 — scoring by the judging panel. Surviving entries are scored out of 100:
- Vision — 30%. An extraordinary conceptual leap that reframes how we see the problem.
- Real-life relevance — 20%. Built for real people and actual community needs.
- Built with Gemini — 20%. You used Gemini to brainstorm, design and visualise the idea.
- Future focused — 15%. Gets ahead of the challenges the city will face next.
- Execution — 15%. A practical plan that could genuinely be funded and built.
The ten highest-scoring entries become finalists and are invited to the grand finale, where they attend mentorship sessions and may be asked to pitch live. All ten are paid.
Judges recuse themselves from entries out of their own institutions. Scores are never disclosed, decisions are final, and Google is not obliged to give feedback on entries that do not make it. Google may also award fewer than ten prizes if too few entries qualify. Finalists are notified by email and must confirm within 24 hours.
Application Process
- 1
Submit Application
Complete the online form with personal details, idea description, and a Google Gemini-generated visual mockup.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
See the questions before you start
Download every question this programme's application form asks, so you can prepare your answers offline before opening the portal.
- 2
Line up your documents
Keep every document from the checklist ready in one folder. Missing docs are the #1 reason applications get bounced.
- 3
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 4
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply to Fund My Crazy 2026?
Any student enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university in India during the submission period, in any discipline — you do not need an engineering or design background. You must also be at least 18 as of 30 July 2026 and a legal resident of India.
What is the last date to apply?
15 September 2026, 11:59 PM IST. Submissions opened on 15 August 2026. There are no extensions mentioned in the terms, and entries cannot be edited once submitted.
Is there an entry fee?
No. Entering Fund My Crazy 2026 is free.
How much money can I actually win?
Ten winners share ₹1 crore. The top 3 ideas get ₹20–25 lakh each, the next 4 get ₹7–10 lakh each, and the final 3 get ₹3–5 lakh each. Judges decide the exact amount within each tier based on the scope and viability of the idea.
Is the prize money taxed?
Yes. TDS of roughly 30% applies to prize winnings above ₹10,000. A ₹10 lakh prize means about ₹3 lakh deducted and around ₹7 lakh in hand. You receive a Form 16A and are responsible for reporting the income and paying any further tax.
When do winners get paid?
After completing KYC — PAN card, bank account details, cancelled cheque, ID proof and address proof — and signing a prize acceptance agreement. Payment is made by bank transfer within 120 working days of that documentation being completed.
Do I need to know how to code?
No. Your entry is a Gemini-generated visual plus a written explanation of your idea. No coding, and no working prototype either — the strength of the idea is what is judged.
Can I participate individually or as a team?
Both. Teams can have up to 3 members, and members may be from different colleges as long as everyone is enrolled at an Indian institution. One member is the primary contact, represents the team at the finale, and receives the full prize payment to distribute. Team members cannot be added or changed after the deadline.
Can I submit more than one entry?
No. One submission per person or per team, and it cannot be edited after you submit. Review everything before hitting submit.
Can international students apply?
No. The challenge is open only to students currently enrolled at colleges or universities in India, who are also legal residents of India.
Can I use ChatGPT or another AI tool for the visual?
No. The visual must be created using Google Gemini, and the form says using ChatGPT, Midjourney, DALL·E or any other tool causes immediate disqualification. "Built with Gemini" is worth 20% of your total score, and one of the four questions asks specifically how Gemini is built into your solution — so use it for brainstorming and design too, not just the final image.
What exactly does the submission form ask for?
Your name, email, phone with country code and college with city; the element you are reimagining, picked from a dropdown (Roads and Transportation, Our Education, Our Healthcare, Our Community and Living, Our Markets, or Surprise Element); and four mandatory questions — why this element and why now, what your reimagined city looks like, how Gemini is integrated into the solution and which prompts you used, and why it matters to people in the future. Then one Gemini-made image as JPG or PNG under 10 MB. There are no word limits on the live form. Everything must be in English.
Do I have to prove I used Gemini?
Yes, and this is the requirement people miss. The form asks for proof of Gemini use, including your conversation history and screenshots of your prompts. Using ChatGPT, Midjourney, DALL·E or any other tool results in immediate disqualification. Screenshot your prompts as you work rather than trying to reconstruct them afterwards.
What file format and size should the image be?
JPG or PNG only, maximum 10 MB, on the live submission form. Note that the published terms mention JPG, PNG or PDF up to 25 MB — that describes an earlier version of the form. Follow what enter.fundmycrazy.com actually accepts.
How is my entry scored?
Vision 30%, real-life relevance 20%, built with Gemini 20%, future focused 15%, and execution 15%. Legal and policy compliance is a separate pass/fail check applied before scoring.
What gets an entry disqualified?
Political, religious, illegal, hateful or discriminatory content; plagiarism or an idea previously submitted elsewhere or already published; violence, sexual content, defamation; promotion of alcohol, tobacco or drugs; and false or misleading claims. Disqualification can happen at any stage, including after winners are announced, and there is no appeal.
Can my idea build on something that already exists?
Yes, but it must carry your own original thinking and a fresh perspective, and it must be created specifically for this campaign. Minor tweaks to an existing product, or an entry you already used in another contest, will not qualify.
Do I keep ownership of my idea?
Yes. You retain full ownership and Google takes no equity. You do grant Google a worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual, non-exclusive licence to display, reproduce and adapt your submission for campaign promotion, and to use your name, likeness and college name in marketing. That licence continues after the campaign ends.
What happens if I am selected as a finalist?
You are notified by email and must confirm within 24 hours. Google covers round-trip economy air or train fare, hotel, local transport and meals for the finale, held in a city in India yet to be announced. You attend mentorship sessions and may be asked to pitch live to the judges. There is no cash alternative to the travel.
How will I know if I have been selected?
By email to your registered address, so keep an eye on your inbox and spam folder. Judging runs 16–17 September 2026 and the confirmation window is only 24 hours.
Do I have to spend the prize money on the idea?
It is encouraged but not required. Google does not mandate reporting and has no obligation to provide any further funding or support beyond the prize.
Who runs Fund My Crazy?
It is a Google Gemini initiative from Google India Private Limited, administered by Communique Marketing Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Campaign questions go to hello@fundmycrazy.com.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
