IBM TechXchange 2025 Pre-conference watsonx Hackathon

This hackathon took place August 1 - 17, 2025

This event has concluded. Winning teams will be announced September 8, 2025.

Hack your way to the IBM TechXchange 2025 conference!

Are you ready to supercharge your skills, collaborate with developers from around the world, and score cash and a trip to Orlando, Florida in October?

Join us for an exciting virtual event where innovators like YOU will dive into the power of AI agents to build cutting-edge solutions that tackle real-world problems. Team up with peers and develop a proof-of-concept using IBM watsonx to show how agentic AI can take on an everyday issue in a new, creative way. The top 2 hackathon teams will win $5,000 USD and a trip to the IBM TechXchange 2025 conference where you can show off your smarts!

In this hackathon, you will use IBM watsonx to build a proof-of-concept solution to align with one out of two possible themes:

Build with agentic AI challenge
Use IBM watsonx to develop a working proof-of concept that applies agentic AI to solve a real-world, everyday problem. Identify a high-impact task or workflow and design an innovative solution featuring AI agents.

Sustainable cities and communities challenge, brought to you by Call for Code
We’re calling on you to build an innovative proof-of-concept for how agentic AI using IBM watsonx can be put to work to address an issue that falls under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Call for Code®
Started in 2018, Call for Code is the largest tech-for-good initiative of its kind that brings together developers and problem-solvers from around the world to create solutions to help solve some of the most pressing societal issues of our time.

Step 1: Register

Sign up with your existing IBMid that uses your corporate or university email address or create one with your personal email to get access to the hackathon web site. 

Step 2: Get ready ahead of the hackathon

Take advantage of free watsonx education on the hackathon web site. You can also post your skills and get matched with other participants through the site to form a team. As the hackathon approaches, watch your email for critical updates and information. Access to the necessary watsonx accounts will be provided by IBM when the hackathon starts on August 1. 

Step 3: Build with IBM watsonx and win prizes

When the hackathon starts, you’ll get detailed instructions to build and submit your project for a chance to win cash and a trip to the IBM TechXchange 2025 conference! Those who submit a qualifying project may also be eligible to earn a badge from IBM TechXchange 2025.

Sign up now

Prizes

The 50 top scoring qualified submissions will receive 1 ticket per team member to IBM TechXchange 2025 conference, October 6-9, 2025, Orlando, Florida (tickets are non-transferable and travel/lodging is not included)

First place team, per theme

• 1 ticket per team member, including travel and lodging, to IBM TechXchange 2025 conference*, October 6-9, 2025, Orlando, Florida

• $5,000 USD

• $500 USD IBM Cloud credits, per team member

Additionally, the team that wins first place for the Call for Code theme will be eligible to be judged for the 2025 Call for Code Global Challenge, where the top team will take home $50,000 USD.

Second place team, per theme

• $300 USD IBM Cloud Credits, per team member

• Apple Airpod Pros®

• If you have any questions regarding the event, please email Watsonxhackathon@ibm.com for support.

* Trip is subject to legal pre-approval and is non-transferable. If traveling from outside the United States, it is your personal responsibility to understand any U.S. entry requirements and obtain any visas or entrance documents required for your host country and any other country you plan to visit. If you are required to obtain a visa prior to departure, please factor in processing times, as they vary based on your country of residence. Failure to obtain any necessary visas in a timely manner, prior to departure, will result in your inability to enter the U.S. in time to participate in the IBM TechXchange 2025 conference. Upon request, IBM can provide a visa invitation letter for registered attendees. The cost of obtaining such a visa will not be covered by IBM and IBM shall not be liable for the consequences to any contestant resulting from his or her failure to obtain such documents or visas. 

Please note: IBM employees are not eligible to participate.