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Get hands-on experience, network, and win big.
Grow your AI skills in hackathons throughout the year and compete to win $5,000 USD, tickets to the IBM TechXchange conference, and more.
Why compete in a hackathon?
Grow AI skills
- - Access free AI education.
- - Get hands-on experience applying IBM AI tech to real-world use cases.
- - Get help from expert mentors.
- - Develop skills to enhance your career.
Network with problem solvers
Collaborate with peers on big ideas and build something new together. This is your opportunity to meet and work with people from around the world and get inspired by fresh perspectives.
Innovate to win big
Apply what you learn to build something new. Submit your team's original proof-of-concept to win from the pool of exciting prizes.
All experience levels are welcome to take part in these virtual events.
Right now there are no upcoming events.
We're planning more hackathons throughout the year. Watch this space for more chances to participate!
Prizes
Our expert judges are looking for the hackathon submissions that are most creative, feasible, usable and effective. Top teams can win cash prizes up to $5,000 USD and complimentary passes to the IBM TechXchange 2026 conference in Atlanta (Eligibility rules apply). There's also plenty of swag up for grabs, from Apple AirPods Pros® to watsonx t-shirts and hoodies, and even IBM Cloud credits to keep developing your big idea after the event.
Check out the details for each of our upcoming hackathons for specifics on what you can win.
“This was my first AI hackathon and I loved every bit of it. I got to learn so much about developing robust AI agents. Thank you very much to IBM for this opportunity. Thank you to the mentors too for being on hand to provide support.”
Alumni winners
Winning the prize can be just the beginning. Hackathon teams often take the hands-on AI skills and insights they've gained and continue to further develop their solutions, putting IBM tech to practical use to drive productivity and growth into their organizations or communities.
IBM TechXchange 2025 Pre-conference watsonx Hackathon
Team AIght
The team won first place in the "Build with agentic AI Developer challenge". Their agentic AI solution uses IBM watsonx to fact-check meeting transcripts in real-time.
Watch their demo
2024 IBM TechXchange Pre-Conference watsonx Hackathon
Team Daimyo
This student team from PES University in India built an IBM watsonx.ai and Granite-powered app to help restaurants automate and manage their data, boosting staff efficiency and saving significant time. Since winning, they are working on a deal to further develop their solution, and they have been invited to showcase their project at IBM TechXchange 2025 conference.
Watch their story
2021 Call for Code Global Challenge
Team Saafwater
Since winning the Global Challenge 3 years ago, the Saafwater team has grown their life-saving solution for providing local communities with clean drinking water.