5 Hackathons You Can't Miss in October-November 2026
If you're a developer, AI enthusiast, student, software engineer, or startup builder, October and November 2026 are packed with exciting hackathons.
From building AI-powered payment solutions with PayPal to creating next-generation VR experiences for Meta, these hackathons offer opportunities to build real projects, learn new technologies, showcase your skills, win prizes, and connect with the developer community.
We've picked 5 hackathons you shouldn't miss in October-November 2026, including their deadlines, prize opportunities, technologies and registration links.
1. PayPal AI Hackathon
2. Nebius x NVIDIA Global AI Hackathon
3. Build, Ship, Shape: Amazon Developer Hackathon
4. Meta VR Start Developer Competition 2026
5. AWS Communication Developer Services (CDS) Agentic AI Partner Hackathon
1. PayPal AI Hackathon
The PayPal AI Hackathon is one of the biggest AI-focused hackathons happening during the October-November 2026 period.
The challenge is simple: build something new using both PayPal and AI. Participants can create an AI agent, application, automation, payment experience, business tool or another innovative idea that combines PayPal with artificial intelligence.
PayPal AI Hackathon 2026 – Highlights
- Theme: PayPal + Artificial Intelligence
- Format: Online
- Submissions Open: October 1, 2026
- Submission Deadline: November 12, 2026
- Prize Pool: $60,000+ in cash according to PayPal's announcement
- Who Can Participate: Developers, designers, founders, students and builders
PayPal says there are no fixed problem statements or tracks, giving participants plenty of freedom to decide what they want to build.
💡 Project idea: Build an AI shopping assistant that can recommend products and complete a payment workflow using PayPal.
2. Nebius x NVIDIA Global AI Hackathon
If you're interested in generative AI, AI agents, machine learning and NVIDIA models, the Nebius x NVIDIA Global AI Hackathon is one to consider.
The hackathon challenges builders to create a working AI system using NVIDIA open-source models on Nebius infrastructure. Projects can use Nebius Token Factory or Nebius AI Cloud.
Nebius x NVIDIA Hackathon – Highlights
- Theme: AI and open infrastructure
- Format: Online
- Deadline: October 30, 2026
- Prize Pool: $50,000
- Platform: Nebius AI Cloud / Token Factory
- Technologies: NVIDIA open-source AI models and AI infrastructure
The competition includes tracks focused on coding and agentic engineering as well as applications and AI agents.
💡 Project idea: Build an autonomous coding agent that can write, execute and test code inside a secure environment.
3. Build, Ship, Shape: Amazon Developer Hackathon
The Build, Ship, Shape: Amazon Developer Hackathon is a great opportunity for developers who want to build experiences across Amazon's growing ecosystem of devices and services.
This hackathon brings together Fire TV, Alexa+, Ring and Bee, allowing developers to build for one platform or combine multiple Amazon technologies into a single project.
Amazon Developer Hackathon – Highlights
- Format: Online
- Submission Deadline: October 23, 2026
- Prize Value: $190,000 in cash and AWS credits according to Amazon Developer
- Platforms: Fire TV, Alexa+, Ring and Bee
- Additional Opportunities: AWS and open-source mini challenges
Amazon is also offering developers documentation, sample code, simulators and live office hours to help participants get from an idea to a working submission.
There are also mini challenges involving AWS services and open-source projects, giving developers additional ways to compete.
💡 Project idea: Build a connected smart-home experience combining Ring, Alexa+ and an AI-powered AWS backend.
4. Meta VR Start Developer Competition 2026
Want to build for VR, mixed reality and the next generation of immersive applications? The Meta VR Start Developer Competition 2026 is one of the biggest competitions on this list.
Meta is offering a massive $1 million prize pool for developers building new or significantly updated experiences for Meta VR devices, including Meta Quest and Meta VR Glasses.
Meta VR Start Competition – Highlights
- Start Date: September 24, 2026
- Submission Deadline: November 18, 2026
- Prize Pool: $1,000,000
- Format: Online
- Tracks: Entertainment, Gaming and Productivity
- Eligibility: Meta Horizon Start Program members
Meta says the competition includes 20 cash prizes, with top prizes valued at up to $100,000.
One important point: participants must be members of the Meta Horizon Start Program. If you're not already a member, Meta says you should apply to the Start program before submitting your competition entry.
💡 Project idea: Create a hands-free productivity app designed around hand tracking for Meta VR.
5. AWS Communication Developer Services (CDS) Agentic AI Partner Hackathon
The AWS Communication Developer Services (CDS) Agentic AI Partner Hackathon is aimed at developers and AWS partners interested in building the next generation of conversational experiences.
The challenge focuses on AWS Communication Developer Services and technologies such as RCS, SMS and WhatsApp, with an emphasis on agentic AI and customer communication.
AWS CDS Hackathon – Highlights
- Format: Online
- Submission Deadline: October 28, 2026
- Prize Pool: $40,000
- Organizer: AWS
- Focus: Communication, Mobile and Agentic AI
- Eligibility: Professionals/Post-grads and AWS Partners, subject to the official rules
The hackathon is designed around creating conversational solutions using AWS Communication Developer Services to help businesses engage users at scale.
💡 Project idea: Build an AI customer-support agent capable of handling conversations through WhatsApp or RCS.
Hackathon Deadline Comparison
| Hackathon | Deadline | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| PayPal AI Hackathon | Nov 12, 2026 | $60K+ cash |
| Nebius x NVIDIA Global AI Hackathon | Oct 30, 2026 | $50K |
| Amazon Developer Hackathon | Oct 23, 2026 | $190K cash + AWS credits |
| Meta VR Start Competition | Nov 18, 2026 | $1M |
| AWS CDS Agentic AI Hackathon | Oct 28, 2026 | $40K |
Which Hackathon Should You Choose?
Choosing the right hackathon depends on what you enjoy building.
- AI + FinTech: PayPal AI Hackathon
- Generative AI + AI Agents: Nebius x NVIDIA Global AI Hackathon
- Devices + AI + AWS: Amazon Developer Hackathon
- VR / AR / Immersive Apps: Meta VR Start Developer Competition
- Conversational AI + Messaging: AWS CDS Agentic AI Hackathon
Tips to Win a Hackathon
Joining a hackathon is easy. Building a project that stands out is the difficult part.
1. Don't Build Too Much
Focus on one strong problem instead of trying to build a huge application with dozens of features.
2. Build a Working MVP
A working prototype is usually much more impressive than a collection of unfinished features.
3. Use AI Wisely
AI coding assistants can help you move faster, but make sure you understand and test the code you submit.
4. Make the Demo Excellent
Your demo video should quickly explain the problem, show your solution and demonstrate why your project matters.
5. Read the Rules
Every hackathon has different technology, eligibility and submission requirements. Read the official rules before building your project.
Final Thoughts
October and November 2026 are excellent months for developers who want to challenge themselves and build something innovative.
Whether you're interested in AI, agentic applications, FinTech, cloud computing, VR or conversational technology, there's a hackathon on this list for you.
Don't wait until the final few days. Pick a hackathon, register early, find a problem worth solving and start building.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which are the best hackathons in October-November 2026?
Some notable options include the PayPal AI Hackathon, Nebius x NVIDIA Global AI Hackathon, Amazon Developer Hackathon, Meta VR Start Developer Competition and AWS CDS Agentic AI Hackathon.
Which hackathon has the biggest prize pool?
The Meta VR Start Developer Competition 2026 currently has the largest listed prize pool among these five, with $1 million in total prizes.
Which hackathon is best for AI developers?
The Nebius x NVIDIA and PayPal AI hackathons are particularly interesting for AI developers. The AWS CDS hackathon is another option if you're interested in agentic and conversational AI.
Are these hackathons online?
Yes. The five competitions listed here are currently listed as online competitions on Devpost or by their organizers.
Can students participate?
Eligibility varies by competition. PayPal explicitly welcomes students and builders, while other competitions have their own eligibility rules. Always check the official rules before registering.
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