Devfolio
Documentation
Participating in Hackathons

Staking

💡 Tip: Use this dropdown to get help from AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude.

Staking ensures serious participation by requiring a refundable deposit in INR or ETH. This guide covers how it works, refund policies, and other information.

Note

Staking is not enabled by default for all hackathons.
If you don't see any prompt to stake for a hackathon, you can continue with the rest of the steps —

👉 RSVP for offline hackathons
👉 Submissions for online hackathons

🤔 What is Staking?

Staking is a commitment mechanism used by hackathon organizers to ensure serious participation from registered hackers.

It involves placing a refundable deposit (in INR or ETH) to guarantee your attendance and project submission. This helps organizers plan resources effectively and reduce no-shows.

🧾 Why Do Hackathons Implement Staking?

Hackathons invest a lot into:

  • Venue and logistics
  • Food and refreshments
  • Mentorship and swag
  • Sometimes even travel reimbursements

Staking helps reduce participant dropouts and ensures that these resources are well-utilized.

💳 Available Staking Methods

🏦 Fiat Currency Staking (INR)

  • Commonly used for Indian participants
  • Paid via Razorpay or similar gateways
  • Typically INR 1000
  • Fully refundable on valid participation

🪙 Cryptocurrency Staking (ETH)

  • Requires a one-time transfer to Devfolio's managed wallet
  • ETH amount is equivalent to the INR amount (converted at current exchange rates)
  • Refund sent back to your original crypto wallet

🔁 Refund Policy

To get your refund:

  1. Submit a project during the hackathon
    or
  2. Provide valid proof of absence to the organizers

Refunds will be sent via:

  • Razorpay/bank (for INR payments)
  • Wallet (for ETH staking)

Organizer Discretion

Refund timelines and conditions may vary slightly across hackathons. Always check with the organizers in case of doubt.

✅ Best Practices

  • Save payment receipts and confirmation emails
  • Keep track of the hackathon timeline and submission deadlines
  • Ensure your payment details are up-to-date
  • Mention your transaction reference when requesting refunds

💬 Need Help?

If you face any issues or have refund-related queries, reach out to the hackathon organizers using the official communication channel provided at the time of registration.

How is this guide?

Withdrawing Your Hackathon Application

Learn how to withdraw your Devfolio hackathon application before or after acceptance.

RSVP

RSVP ensures serious participation by requiring a commitment of attending a hackathon that you have been accepted to. This guide covers information about RSVPing to hackathons.