Open AI Hackathons to Learn, Build and Experiment (November 2026)

Updated November 4, 2026. I've checked the dates and registration status on the official event pages. The Nebius x NVIDIA and YouCam hackathons have moved to the closed list, and I've added two new ones: Codegeist 2026, Atlassian's yearly hackathon for building apps on Jira and Confluence, and UGREEN's, for building AI skills that run on a NAS. Dates change often, so always confirm the details on the official site before signing up. I review the list every month: if you'd like a heads-up when I update it, leave your email.

Artificial intelligence isn't something you learn just by reading about it. You also learn by building, getting things wrong, trying new tools, and collaborating with people exploring the same territory.

That's why I've put together a list of AI hackathons with open registration or active participation over the coming months. There are online and hybrid options, some more technical and others more accessible for people just starting out. You don't need to be an expert: what matters is finding a challenge that pushes you from theory into practice.

Some are focused on AI agents, others on building on specific platforms such as PayPal, AWS's Kiro or Atlassian's Jira and Confluence, and others on real challenges set by companies.

If you want to actually learn AI, taking part in a hackathon can be one of the fastest ways to do it: you get a concrete goal, a deadline, real tools, and a community building alongside you.

Open now: the 4 I'd pick

• Since AI Hackathon (November 6–8, 2026, in person in Turku, Finland): free, with 15 company challenges and €50,000 in prizes. The best pick if you're in Europe and want to be there in person, and the most imminent one on the list.
• PayPal AI Hackathon (submissions until November 12, 2026, online): no set challenges or tracks. The only requirement is that your project makes real use of both PayPal and AI, with $67,500 in cash prizes.
• Kiroween 2026 (until December 4, 2026, online): built around Kiro, AWS's AI coding tool. Your project has to be started from October 30, beginners are welcome and there's $100,000 in cash prizes.
• Codegeist 2026 (submissions until December 22, 2026, online), new: Atlassian's yearly hackathon. You build an app with Forge, its development platform, that connects to Jira, Confluence, Jira Service Management, Bitbucket or Rovo, its AI assistant. This year's theme is context: getting the right information to a team at the right moment. Beginners are welcome and there's $120,000 in prizes. It gives you the most time, almost two months.

More open calls

• UGREEN Hackathon 2026 on AI NAS (proposal due November 15, 2026, online), new: build an original AI skill that solves a real problem and runs on UGREEN's AI NAS, working with files, photos, video and documents. You don't need to own the device: up to 30 finalists get remote access to one to test their project between November 22 and 30. It offers $46,000 in prizes.
• Vultr: Agent Rush (November 3–8, 2026, online, with an optional on-site phase in Salt Lake City): already under way. It's open to anyone, regardless of previous AI or coding experience, and the challenge is building agents that do real work safely.
• Learn AR with SPECS (submissions until November 9, 2026, online): an augmented-reality challenge where a coding agent builds a Lens for Snap's SPECS glasses. You don't need the glasses because you can test the project in Lens Studio. It's open to adults and offers $2,500 in prizes.
• DSH Hacks V2 (submissions until November 14, 2026, online): a global, beginner-friendly AI and healthcare hackathon. It's limited to students aged 13 or older, and its prizes consist of credits, licences and other non-cash benefits.
• Meta VR Start Developer Competition 2026 (until November 18, 2026, online): not strictly an AI hackathon, but it earns its place here. The challenge is building experiences for Meta Quest and Meta VR Glasses; AI comes in as a tool and there's a dedicated category for agent interaction. It offers $1 million in prizes, with individual prizes of up to $100,000.

Open or ongoing

Hackathon	Date / deadline	Format	Status
Vultr: Agent Rush	Nov 3–8, 2026	Online + optional on-site (Salt Lake City)	Ongoing
Since AI Hackathon 2026	Nov 6–8, 2026	In person (Turku, Finland)	Open
Learn AR with SPECS	Submissions until Nov 9, 2026	Online	Open; adults only
PayPal AI Hackathon	Submissions until Nov 12, 2026	Online	Open
DSH Hacks V2	Submissions until Nov 14, 2026	Online	Open; students aged 13 or older only
UGREEN Hackathon 2026 on AI NAS	Proposal due Nov 15, 2026; final Nov 30	Online	Open
Meta VR Start Developer Competition 2026	Until Nov 18, 2026	Online	Open
AMD AI League	Sep 1–Dec 1, 2026	Online, individual participation	Ongoing; join any day
Kiroween 2026	Oct 30–Dec 4, 2026	Online	Open
Codegeist 2026	Submissions until Dec 22, 2026	Online	Open

Already closed

I've kept these here so you don't waste time looking for them. Several run a new edition every year, so they're worth following.

Hackathon	Date / status
Global AI Hackathon Series with Qwen Cloud	Deadline Jul 20, 2026
Hack-Nation Global AI Hackathon	Jul 18–19, 2026 (the 7th edition ran Oct 3–4)
Backblaze Generative Media Hackathon	Through Aug 3, 2026
Native.builder: Build without limits	Aug 3–10, 2026
Build with DataHub: The Agent Hackathon	Deadline Aug 10, 2026
Arm Create: AI Optimization Challenge	Deadline Aug 14, 2026
Build with Gemini XPRIZE	Deadline Aug 17, 2026
DevNetwork [API + Cloud + AI] Hackathon 2026	Aug 17–Sep 3, 2026
VoltHacks 2026	Deadline Sep 5, 2026
AI Infra Summit Hackathon	Sep 15–17, 2026
TechEx Amsterdam Hackathon	Oct 16–20, 2026
Build, Ship, Shape: Amazon Developer Hackathon	Submissions until Oct 23, 2026
Nebius x NVIDIA Global AI Hackathon	Submissions until Oct 30, 2026
YouCam API Skin AI & eCommerce VTO	Submissions until Nov 2, 2026
AI GENESIS 2026	Finished; results under review

Dates and registration conditions can change. Before signing up, confirm the details on each hackathon's official site.