about this event
Dream AI Hackathon 2026 brings together builders, founders, students, and professionals in San Francisco for a full day of building. Identify a real problem. Build a working AI-powered MVP. Turn it into a compelling startup pitch—all in one day. This is not just an idea competition. We want to see what you can actually build.
IMPORTANT: APPLICATION REQUIRED THROUGH LUMA. Registering on Eventbrite does NOT count as an application and does not guarantee admission. To attend Dream AI Hackathon 2026, you must apply through our official Luma page and receive approval. An Eventbrite registration or ticket alone will not grant entry.
What you'll build: Create a new AI-powered product or add a substantial new capability to an existing project. Existing models, APIs, libraries, infrastructure, and codebases may be used as a starting point. Teams must clearly explain what existed before the hackathon and what they built during the event. Judges will evaluate the work completed during the hackathon, the quality of the product, and its potential as a real startup.
Who this is for: University students and recent graduates interested in AI and entrepreneurship; aspiring founders looking to turn an idea into a working product; early-stage startup teams from idea stage through pre-seed or seed; engineers, designers, product managers, researchers, and other working professionals interested in building and validating a new AI-powered solution. Whether this is your first hackathon or you are already building an early-stage startup, you are welcome to apply. Projects should be newly created or meaningfully developed during the hackathon. Judging will focus primarily on the progress made during the event.
Team format: Recommended team size is 3–5 people. Solo participation is also welcome. You may apply individually or with an existing team. If applying with a team, each member must submit a separate application and receive approval. Participants who are interested in joining a team will have an opportunity to connect with other participants during an on-site team formation session at the beginning of the hackathon. Team placement is not guaranteed.
Prizes & opportunities: 1. Startup Support & Investment Opportunities — Selected standout teams may be eligible for startup funding and venture-building support from LIKELION US, as well as potential investment opportunities through funds backed by LIKELION US. 2. The Top 3 Winning Teams Will Receive Founder Institute Fellowships — Full participation in an upcoming FI Core Program (Serephina's cohort) at no cost upon successful graduation. Graduates will also receive access to over $2M in startup perks and benefits. 3. Cash Prizes sponsored by Sazze Partners: 1st Place $1,500; 2nd Place $1,000; 3rd Place $500.
The evening networking reception will be open to invited guests and selected hackathon participants. Additional details will be shared after approval.
Benefits for All Participants: Every participant will receive $50 in Nebius credits and access to the evening networking reception, where they can connect with fellow builders, founders, mentors, and investors.
Event Schedule: 9:00 AM — Check-in & Team Formation; 9:30 AM — Opening & Hackathon Kickoff; 10:00 AM–4:30 PM — Hackathon Sprint (Mentors available from 1:00 PM); 12:30 PM — Lunch; 4:30 PM — Submission Deadline; 5:10 PM — Finalist Presentations; 6:20 PM — Awards & Closing; 7:00 PM — Evening Networking Reception; 9:00 PM — Event Concludes. Schedule is subject to change.
Venue details, the final schedule, judging criteria, prizes, and participant instructions will be shared with approved participants. Accepted participants will receive access to the official event Slack and final event instructions after confirming their attendance through Luma. This event may be photographed or recorded.
The hackathon is co-hosted by LIKELION US, a student builder community connecting AI education, industry projects, and hackathon execution; the Founder Institute, a global startup accelerator headquartered in Silicon Valley; and Sazze Partners, a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm supporting Korean and Korean-founded startups.
when
Dream AI Hackathon 2026
One-day hackathon: check-in, hackathon sprint, finalist presentations, awards, and evening networking reception.
◍ Frontier Tower, 995 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94103tickets
| tickets | price | Fee | Status | description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application required via Luma | Free | TBA | Available | Registering on Eventbrite does not count as an application. To attend Dream AI Hackathon 2026, you must apply through the official Luma page and receive approval. Eventbrite registration alone does not grant entry. |
prizes
| # | PRIZE | price |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Place | Cash Prize | $1,500 |
| 2nd Place | Cash Prize | $1,000 |
| 3rd Place | Cash Prize | $500 |
| Top 3 Winning Teams | Founder Institute Fellowships — Full participation in an upcoming FI Core Program (Serephina's cohort) with access to over $2M in startup perks upon graduation | TBA |
| Selected Standout Teams | Startup funding and venture-building support from LIKELION US, plus potential investment opportunities | TBA |
| All Participants | $50 in Nebius credits and access to the evening networking reception | $50 |