The Hackathon
One day, a blank repo, a problem you pick, and one ridiculously fun way to spend a Saturday. Build the software factory that ships it, and defend the technical decisions behind it.
Use AI to Build a Production-Grade App
No assigned prompt. Pick the app, build the software factory that ships it, and defend the technical decisions behind it. Judges come to you, so demo the machinery, not just the product.
Reimagine how software gets made.
The harness, standards, tests, security, and pipeline behind the app, built to run again next month on a different problem.
What you are signing up for
Six things worth knowing before you commit a Saturday.
- Team size
- Solo entries are welcome and judged exactly the same way. Register without a team and we will match you before the day.
- The problem
- No assigned prompt. Choose the app, then build the factory that ships it.
- The repo
- Plan as much as you like beforehand — the problem, the stack, the sketch. The code starts at kickoff.
- The tools
- Any model, any framework, any platform. Using AI is the point; which AI is entirely up to you.
- Mentors
- They coach during the build on tools, the stack, and the thing you are stuck on. They are not judging.
- The demo
- Floor judging, not a stage show. Demo the product and the machinery at your table, and answer for the decisions behind it.
1 to 4
Yours to pick
Starts empty
Your choice
On the floor
Judges come to you
How the day runs
Sessions run alongside the build all day, and every ticket includes them.
- 8:00 – 9:00 AM
Doors open & check-in
An hour to arrive, get coffee, and get situated.
- 9:00 – 9:30 AM
Welcome remarks
The challenge, the rules, and how the day runs.
- 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Hackathon build
Teams work. Mentors coach on the floor, and sessions run alongside. Dip in and out.
- 5:00 – 6:00 PM
Floor judging & awards
Submissions close promptly at 5:00. Judges walk the floor. You demo at your table and defend the architecture there.
- 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Social happy hour
Toast the builds, talk shop, and meet the people behind them. Open to the entire community.
Bring a team, or find one.
The hackathon ticket includes the conference sessions and the demo social, so it is the only one you need.