Schedule

Location: On this platform

Idea Submission Deadline (Platform)

This marks the deadline for submitting ideas on the hackathon platform. All teams and individual participants are required to upload their idea descriptions, including the core concept, problem statement, and initial approach.

Submitting an idea does not require a fully developed solution. Early-stage concepts, evolving ideas, and draft proposals are explicitly encouraged. The platform serves as a living space where ideas can be refined, updated, or even reworked as teams progress.

Idea submission is essential for visibility, matchmaking, mentor feedback, and evaluation. Only ideas submitted on the platform will be considered for mentoring support and the final pitching sessions.

Make sure your idea is visible — it’s the starting point for collaboration, feedback, and impact.

Location: On this platform

Location: https://mural.zoom.us/j/96786150811?pwd=Zcmf22aG5I6YvsMUbGqHRDwv7fnuFO.1

Location: https://mural.zoom.us/j/95739281038?pwd=cCyjqyjagK4wf4stg9xwbvJIXVsY07.1

Great hackathons don’t fail because of ideas — they fail because teams don’t align fast enough.

On Jan 29 | 6 pm KSA, we’re hosting

Team Alignment Under Time Pressure: Simple Recipes for Smooth Hackathons.

This hands-on session introduces a lightweight team alignment recipe based on methods from LUMA Institute — designed for real decision-making under time pressure.

You’ll learn:

• How teams align quickly at the start
• How short checkpoints keep momentum
• How decisions and handoffs stay clear under pressure

Practical, human-centered, and directly applicable during the hackathon.

🗓 Jan 29 | 6 pm KSA

🎙 with Caroline Gilliland (LUMA) & Sabrina Goerlich (w3 ff)

Location: meet.google.com/tfe-jijo-eho

Location: meet.google.com/mbc-oyaj-azs

Location: Al Mursalat, Riyadh 12464, Saudi-Arabien @The technical digital college

Arrival / badges

Location: Al Mursalat, Riyadh 12464, Saudi-Arabien @The technical digital college

On-Site Hackathon Phase | Riyadh

The on-site phase of the hackathon will take place in Riyadh from February 5–7, 2026.

During these days, teams will collaborate in person to further develop their ideas, refine solutions, and prepare their final pitches. Throughout the event, mentors, industry experts, and partners will be available to provide guidance, feedback, and hands-on support.

We strongly encourage participants to join on-site to fully benefit from the experience — from direct mentorship and real-time collaboration to valuable networking opportunities and the unique energy that only an in-person hackathon can offer.

Beyond the work, expect inspiring conversations, new connections, and an atmosphere that makes building together both impactful and enjoyable.

Location: Al Mursalat, Riyadh 12464, Saudi-Arabien @The technical digital college

Presentation of the Hackathon Tracks

This session provides a comprehensive introduction to the hackathon tracks, outlining the thematic focus, key challenges, and strategic objectives of each track. Participants will gain clarity on the problem spaces, expected impact, and how their ideas can align with real-world needs and industry relevance.

All track descriptions and related materials are also available on the hackathon platform. During this session, however, we will revisit the tracks to address open points, clarify expectations, and respond to individual questions in more depth.

The presentation will further highlight evaluation criteria, innovation potential, and practical considerations such as feasibility and scalability. This is intended to help teams refine their direction, sharpen their problem statements, and make informed decisions when selecting or adjusting their track.

By the end of the session, participants will have a clear understanding of the opportunities within each track and how to position their solutions for meaningful impact throughout the hackathon.

Location: Al Mursalat, Riyadh 12464, Saudi-Arabien @The technical digital college

• Idea pitches (60 sec each) + “I need / I offer”

Location: https://meet.google.com/bhr-ndda-ott

Location: Al Mursalat, Riyadh 12464, Saudi-Arabien @The technical digital college

Matchmaking Session

The matchmaking session is all about bringing people together. It connects participants who are not yet part of a team with existing teams, and supports those who want to team up with others to form something new.

Participants are encouraged to share their skills, interests, and early ideas, explore open challenges, and actively look for complementary profiles. Whether you’re a developer, designer, strategist, or visionary — this session is your opportunity to find the right people to build with.

You don’t have to wait for the session to get started. Matchmaking can already begin now via the hackathon platform, where participant profiles, ideas, and team needs are visible at all times. The session itself will help accelerate connections, spark conversations, and turn first introductions into real teams.

Be open, be curious, and be bold — great teams are built through conversation, trust, and shared ambition.

Location: Al Mursalat, Riyadh 12464, Saudi-Arabien @The technical digital college

Welcome & Opening Ceremony

Official kick-off of the Hackathon with a short keynote and networking opportunity.This session provides important context, inspiration, and orientation for all participants.

Here are a few impressions from the last hackathon. Don't miss the opportunity to participate!

For active participants:

An additional matchmaking & FAQ session will be scheduled separately to support team building and open questions.Nevertheless, all participants are strongly encouraged to attend the Welcome & Opening Ceremony.

Location: Al Mursalat, Riyadh 12464, Saudi-Arabien @The technical digital college

• choose idea, define MVP, assign ownership, set next checkpoints

Location: Al Khalidiyah, Diriyah 11011, Saudi-Arabien @Monshaa´t Startup Hub

• Each team states: goal today, who owns what, biggest risk.

Location: Al Khalidiyah, Diriyah 11011, Saudi-Arabien @Monshaa´t Startup Hub

• 09:30–09:40 Standup (mandatory)

• 09:40–11:00 Build Block 1

• 11:00–11:30 Mentor window A (booked)

• 11:30–13:00 Jumu’ah protected break ✅

• 13:00–14:00 Lunch + reset (Mentor sessions)

• 14:00–15:10 Build Block 2

• 15:10–15:30 Asr break ✅

• 15:30–17:30 Build Block 3

• 17:30–18:30 Maghrib + Dinner ✅

• 18:30–20:00 Mentor window B (booked) + build

• ~19:10–19:25 Isha short break (optional but nice) ✅

• 20:00–22:30 Build + pitch prep / submission prep

Location: Al Khalidiyah, Diriyah 11011, Saudi-Arabien @Monshaa´t Startup Hub

• Problem + user: Who is the user and what pain are you solving?
• Demo scope: What will you deliver by submission? What are you not doing
• Show progress: Demo something real (clickable flow, API call, contract stub, data output, or end-to-end mock).
• Riskiest assumption: What’s the biggest risk (trust/identity/payment/compliance) and how will you test it today?
• Plan to finish: Top 3 tasks + owners + “demo by 6pm” milestone.
• Blockers + mentor ask: What’s stuck? Which mentor slot do you need (tech / business / legal)?

Location: Al Khalidiyah, Diriyah 11011, Saudi-Arabien @Monshaa´t Startup Hub

• Demo proof: Link or 60–90s Screenrecord (rough)

• One-pager (max 200–300 words): Problem, User, what has been built, what's missing, next steps

• Repo/link (optional if available)

Location: Al Khalidiyah, Diriyah 11011, Saudi-Arabien @Monshaa´t Startup Hub

Announcement of Selected Teams

During this session, the selected teams advancing to the next stage of the hackathon will be officially announced.

Team selection is based on the ideas submitted on the hackathon platform, the alignment with the hackathon tracks, as well as criteria such as innovation potential, feasibility, and overall impact. The announcement marks an important milestone, providing teams with clarity on their status and next steps.

Selected teams will receive confirmation to proceed to the pitching phase in front of the jury, along with detailed guidance on pitching formats, timelines, and expectations for the evaluation process.

For all participants, this moment marks a key transition point in the hackathon — from ideation and collaboration to presentation, validation, and impact — while continuing to engage with the community throughout the final phase.

Regardless of selection, the hackathon platform remains open for collaboration, learning, and networking.

Location: Al Khalidiyah, Diriyah 11011, Saudi-Arabien @Monshaa´t Startup Hub

Location: Al Khalidiyah, Diriyah 11011, Saudi-Arabien @Monshaa´t Startup Hub

Location: Al Khalidiyah, Diriyah 11011, Saudi-Arabien @Monshaa´t Startup Hub