Welcome to theAutomation Innovation Hackathon 2026, where creativity meets execution. This is not just another hackathon where concepts win prizes. We are looking for builders who can turn automation ideas into fully functional, deployable solutions that solve real-world problems.ABOUT THE CHALLENGEIn an era where efficiency and scalability define success, automation has become the cornerstone of innovation. This hackathon challenges you to identify problems worth solving and build automation solutions that actually work.We want to see yourbest ideas brought to life through clean code, thoughtful architecture, and practical implementation. Whether you are automating business processes, streamlining workflows, enhancing user experiences, or solving industry-specific challenges, your solution must be functional and ready to deploy.WHAT MAKES THIS HACKATHON DIFFERENT?Most hackathons reward presentations and prototypes. We reward execution. Your submission must include working code, deployment instructions, and comprehensive documentation. We are investing in solutions that could actually be used, not just imagined.This is your opportunity to build something meaningful, demonstrate your technical skills, and potentially see your solution make a real impact. The best automation tools started as hackathon projects. Yours could be next.WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE?This hackathon is designed for developers, engineers, and technical innovators who:Can turn ideas into working softwareUnderstand automation principles and best practicesWrite clean, maintainable, and documented codeThrive on solving complex problems with elegant solutionsWant to build something that mattersWhether you are a solo developer with a vision or a team ready to collaborate, we welcome participants who are serious about building functional automation solutions.WHAT YOU WILL BUILD?The scope is intentionally broad. Automation touches every industry and every aspect of our digital lives. Your solution could focus on any area where automation adds value:1)Business process automation that eliminates repetitive tasks and reduces human error.2)Workflow optimization tools that help teams collaborate more efficiently. 3)AI-powered automation that learns and adapts to user behavior.4)Data processing systems that transform raw information into actionable insights.5)Smart home and IoT automation that improves daily life. (6)Document processing and analysis tools that save hours of manual work.(7) Customer service automation that enhances user experience. (8) Marketing and sales automation that drives business growth. (9) Healthcare solutions that improve patient care and administrative efficiency.(10)Educational platforms that personalize learning experiences. (11) Financial automation that simplifies complex processes. (12) Supply chain optimization that reduces costs and improves delivery. Any other innovative automation use case that solves a real problem.The only limit is your imagination and your ability to execute.JUDGING CRITERIASubmissions will be evaluated by industry experts based on four key criteria:Innovation and Creativity: How original is your idea? Does it approach a problem from a fresh angle? Have you combined technologies in new ways or found novel applications for existing tools?Implementation Quality: How well is your solution built? Is the code clean, well-structured, and maintainable? Does your architecture make sense? Have you followed best practices and security standards?Functionality: Does your solution actually work as intended? Is it stable and reliable? Could it be deployed and used in a real-world scenario? How complete is the implementation?Impact and Practicality: What problem does this solve and how well does it solve it? Who benefits from this automation? Is there a clear use case? Does it have potential for real-world adoption and scaling?The winning solutions will excel across all four dimensions, showing both creative thinking and strong execution.PRIZES AND RECOGNITIONWe are awarding $22,500 in total prizes to the top three submissions:First Place: $15,000 for the most innovative, well-executed, and impactful automation solutionSecond Place: $6,000 for outstanding implementation with strong potential and technical meritThird Place: $1,500 for excellent automation solution demonstrating creativity and functionalityBeyond monetary prizes, winners will receive recognition in the developer community, potential opportunities for further development, and the satisfaction of building something that could make a real difference.GET STARTEDReady to build the future of automation? Here is what you need to do:Register on Devpost and create your hackathon profile. Form your team or decide to compete solo. Start brainstorming ideas and identifying problems worth solving. Review the technical requirements and judging criteria. Join our Discord community to connect with other participants. Mark the important dates and prepare your development environment.The best automation solutions combine deep problem understanding with excellent execution. Spend time understanding the problem you want to solve before you start coding. Build something you are proud of.FINAL THOUGHTSAutomation is transforming how we work, live, and solve problems. This hackathon is your chance to be part of that transformation. We are not looking for perfect solutions. We're looking for innovative thinking, solid execution, and the determination to build something that works.Bring your ideas. Write great code. Build something meaningful. Show us what automation can do.We cannot wait to see what you create.