How it works
Every step, for builders and mentors.
Participants move through eight online phases, from sign-up to demo day. Mentors follow a short, flexible journey from application to recognition. Here is exactly what happens at each step.
Registration opens
Happening now1 Oct – 15 Nov 2026
Sign up solo or with friends. It takes a few minutes and your progress is saved on your device.
Register with your details and links Pick a track: Agents, Automation or LLM apps
Team formation
Happening now1 Oct – 18 Nov 2026
Go solo or build a team of 2–4. Create a team to get a code, or join one with a code a friend shares.
Create a team and share its code, or join with a code Make sure every teammate has registered
Kick-off & problem statements
21 Nov 2026
A live online kick-off. Problem statements are released.
Join the kick-off stream Choose a problem statement, or bring your own problem, within your track
Build with mentor check-ins
21 Nov – 6 Dec 2026
Build your system. Mentors check in with teams to unblock you and sharpen your approach.
Build and test your project Attend your mentor check-ins Keep your repository up to date
Submission
4 Dec – 6 Dec 2026
Submit from your dashboard before the deadline (the team captain submits for a team): a public GitHub repository and a short demo video; a live link is optional, and so is a short deck. AI tools are allowed.
Public GitHub repository with a README and setup steps Short demo video that shows your project working (required) Optional: a live website link and a pitch deck
Shortlisting
7 Dec – 12 Dec 2026
The judging panel reviews every submission against the criteria and shortlists finalists.
Watch your email for the shortlist Finalists: prepare a live demo
Finals & online demo day
19 Dec 2026
Finalists demo live to the judges, online. Everyone can watch.
Finalists: present your demo and answer questions Everyone: join the stream and cheer
Results, certificates & perks
21 Dec – 31 Dec 2026
Winners are announced, certificates are issued and perks are shared.
Download your certificate and add it to LinkedIn Winners: look out for perks and prize transfers
The essentials
Teams, submissions and judging.
Teams
Solo or a team of 2–4. Everyone registers individually. Create a team to get a code to share, or join one with a code.
What to submit
- Public GitHub repository with a README and setup steps
- Short demo video link that shows the project working (e.g. YouTube, Loom or Google Drive with link sharing on): required
- Optional: a live website link and a pitch deck (problem, approach, architecture, results)
How it’s judged
- Problem fit & impact
- Technical depth
- Reliability & evaluation
- Product & experience
- Demo & communication
Ready to build?
Registration takes a few minutes. Bring a team or come solo.
The mentor journey
From application to recognition.
Eight steps, all online. No fixed hours, and nobody tracks your time.
Apply
Tell us about your experience, the tracks you know best and how you like to help.
What happens
Fill in the application (about 6 minutes) Your progress is saved on your device until you submit
Tell us about your experience, the tracks you know best and how you like to help.
What happens
Fill in the application (about 6 minutes) Your progress is saved on your device until you submit
The team reviews your profile and experience.
What happens
We read every application You hear back by email either way
15 minutes
A short online video call to get to know each other and answer your questions.
What happens
Pick a slot that suits you Bring any questions about the format
An online orientation: the hackathon format, judging criteria, the mentor code of conduct and how to guide teams without building for them.
What happens
Join the online orientation or watch the recording Read the mentor code of conduct
You get the verified Mentor badge and you’re assigned to tracks or teams.
What happens
Check your track or team assignment Say hello to your teams in the community
Fully online and flexible: video calls, community chat and async feedback on progress and code. No fixed hours and no tracking. You choose how and when you help.
What happens
Help in the formats that suit you Point teams to good questions, not ready-made answers
Students can share optional feedback. It’s used only for recognition and is never shown publicly as a score.
What happens
Nothing to do: feedback is optional for students
Your Mentor certificate, features on the hackathon’s channels and progress towards the next level.
What happens
Download your certificate and add it to LinkedIn Look back on the teams you guided
How mentoring works
Online, flexible and yours.
You choose how and when you help. There are no fixed hours, and nobody tracks your time.
Video calls
Short online calls with a team when they need a sounding board.
Community chat
Answer questions in the team and track channels when you have a moment.
Async feedback
Review progress, architecture and code in your own time.
Guide, don’t build: teams own their code No fixed hours and no tracking Fully online, from anywhere
Ready to guide?
Apply in a few minutes. Mentor online, at your own pace.