about this event
One Day. One Challenge. Build Something Real. This event is FREE for eligible Georgetown University students and alumni.
Join Georgetown University students and alumni for an in-person AI Buildathon focused on creativity, problem solving, entrepreneurship, and building real products with AI. Whether you are already experimenting with AI, have an idea you have always wanted to build, or have never written a line of code, this event is designed to give you the opportunity to turn an idea into something real. No traditional coding experience is required. You will receive the official challenge and Buildathon tracks at kickoff, then use AI-powered tools to take a problem from idea to working product.
What to Expect
We will kick off the Buildathon in person at Georgetown University with an introduction to AI-native building, insights from speakers and industry leaders, and everything you need to get started. Get ready to build with Lovable. Then, the challenge begins. The official tracks and specifications will not be revealed until kickoff, giving every participant a fair opportunity to start from the same place.
During the Buildathon, you will:
Get the Challenge — Discover the official tracks and specifications at kickoff.
Identify the Problem — Think critically about the user, problem, and opportunity before jumping into the build.
Build With AI — Use Lovable and AI-powered tools to turn your idea into a working product.
Present Your Solution — Submit your product along with the story behind what you built, the problem you are solving, and how your solution works.
Get Judged — Projects will be reviewed by a panel of judges across entrepreneurship, technology, venture, product, and the Georgetown community.
Get Recognized — Winning projects will have opportunities for recognition, visibility, and connections across the Georgetown and DC startup ecosystem.
This is not about who can write the most code. We are looking for great problem solvers, creative thinkers, strong ideas, thoughtful execution, and people willing to experiment with what is possible using AI.
Who Can Participate?
This event is FREE for eligible Georgetown University students and alumni. Undergraduate students, graduate students, and alumni across different programs and disciplines are encouraged to participate. You do not need to be a computer science student. Business, technology, design, entrepreneurship, finance, analytics, product, and other backgrounds are welcome. Limited capacity. Registration and approval are required.
Start From Scratch
To keep the competition fair, Buildathon projects should begin as new builds. You may bring your experience, skills, interests, and ideas, but the official challenge specifications will not be released until kickoff. Why? Because we want to see what you can think, design, and build during the challenge, not what you have been developing for months. Everyone should have a fair opportunity to compete from the starting line.
More Than a Competition
The Georgetown AI Buildathon is also an opportunity to meet people across technology, entrepreneurship, venture capital, AI, and the DC startup community. We are bringing together students, alumni, founders, builders, investors, mentors, and industry professionals. The goal is not simply to walk away with a project. It is to walk away with new skills, new relationships, something tangible you can showcase, and a better understanding of what is possible when you build with AI.
New to Vibe Coding? You Are Welcome.
Never built an application before? That is okay. We will share resources leading up to the Buildathon to help participants understand the fundamentals of AI-native building, including how to think about: Users → Problems → Ideas → Product → UX → Data → Security → Building. The goal is to lower the barrier to entry so that a great problem solver with a great idea has an opportunity to compete, regardless of their traditional coding experience.
Join the Vibe Code Social Community
Want to connect before the Buildathon? Join the Vibe Code Social Discord to connect with builders, founders, students, and creators across the DC area. Use the community to meet potential teammates, ask questions, receive Buildathon updates, get support, discover opportunities, and stay connected after the competition. Joining the Discord is optional and is not required to participate. Discord: https://luma.com/8pf1hrm3 Lovable: https://discord.gg/sTWmga9xC
Event Details
📅 Date: Friday, November 13, 2026
📍 Location: Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business, Washington, DC
🎟️ Cost: FREE
👥 Who: Georgetown University students & alumni
💻 Format: In-person AI Buildathon
🏆 Prizes & Recognition: Details coming soon
🎤 Speakers & Judges: Coming soon
🤖 Build Platform: Lovable + AI-powered tools
Additional details about the event schedule, challenge rules, speakers, judges, partners, prizes, and Buildathon resources will be announced as we get closer to the event.
Ready to Build? Register now to reserve your spot. Come curious. Come ready to solve problems. Come ready to build. One Day. One Challenge. Build Something Real. #GeorgetownBuildathon
tracks
Official Buildathon Tracks
The official tracks and specifications will not be revealed until kickoff, giving every participant a fair opportunity to start from the same place.
when
Georgetown AI Buildathon
In-person kickoff with an introduction to AI-native building, insights from speakers and industry leaders, followed by the challenge, the build with Lovable and AI-powered tools, and project submissions.
◍ Georgetown University McDonough School of Businesstickets
| tickets | price | Fee | Status | description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Admission | Free | None | Available | Free for eligible Georgetown University students and alumni. Limited capacity; registration and approval are required. |
prizes
| # | PRIZE | price |
|---|---|---|
| Winners | Recognition, visibility, and connections across the Georgetown and DC startup ecosystem | TBA |