WHAT IT IS 
THE UAE's FIRST LIVE AI APP-BUILDING COMPETITION FOR SCHOOL STUDENTS
Is this built for you?

Any student from any school across the UAE. If they have an idea and the curiosity to explore, they're welcome to step in.

Age Range
14-16 years
Eligibility
All UAE schools
Prerequisite
No coding skill
Capacity
10 teams / school 
1-2 students per team
01
Built in a day, from scratch 
No preparation, no pre-built code. Every team starts from the same brief at the same moment.
02
A real, working app, built on a premium platform 
A few hours to think it through and ship a solution using a premium AI app builder. Every participant gets a 1 month premium subscription to keep building after the day.
03
Students solve a real problem 

Every team identifies a real-world problem based on the brief and builds a working app that solves it.

04
Pitch to a panel of judges 
Each team presents what they built to a panel of experts, on the day.
PRIZES & RECOGNITION
WHAT YOU COULD WALK AWAY WITH
The top three teams at the Grand Finale each take home a device prize, trophies and recognition that lasts well beyond the day
1st Prize
Laptop
2nd Prize
Tablet
3rd Prize
Smartwatch
Trophies and certificates
Winners and runners-up from every heat receive trophies and official certificates of achievement.
Recognition for everyone 
Every student receives a certificate of participation and recognition for what they built on the day.
WHY YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THIS 
WHAT STUDENTS & SCHOOLS GET OUT OF IT
For Schools

The kind of event that raises the bar

Zero Teacher Burden

No intensive classroom prep required. Our team guides the students completely through the event.

Regional Stage Stature

Elevate your school's portfolio on a premium stage backed by major industrial pioneers like Boeing.

University Portfolio Assets

Tangible student outcomes perfect for higher-education references and parent updates.

Unlocking Quiet Potential

A stage for students who don’t always shine in the classroom.

For Students

A day that changes how they see themselves

Build Beyond Textbooks

They don't just learn theory; they construct a real, working application from scratch.

AI as a Creative Engine

They use AI as a creative tool, not just learn about it in a textbook.

The Grand Stage Pitch

They pitch their ideas to a panel of experts, earn a certificate and a story worth telling. 

Something to Keep

The top teams at the Grand Final walk away with their own device. A laptop, tablet, or smartwatch plus a certificate that proves what they built. 

HOW TO GET INVOLVED
THREE STEPS TO THE HACKATHON
We keep it simple for schools. Register, see it in action, then bring your students on the day.
1
Register Your Interest
Fill in the form below. No commitment needed yet - just tell us your school and we'll take it from there.
2
Join a Demo Session
We run online demo sessions so you and your students can see exactly what the day looks like before signing up.
3
Build it on the day
Your teams come to the heat, compete, and walk away with something they actually built. We handle the rest.
 FORMAT & TIMELINE
HOW THE COMPETITION WORKS
Regional heats run across the UAE. The top teams from each heat go through to the Grand Final in January 2027.
Sept - NOV
2026
Register your interest
Schools register. No commitment needed - just your details so we can follow up.
OCT - NOV 2026
Demo sessions and confirmations
Schools attend an online demo, confirm their teams, and receive their heat assignment.
OCT - NOV 2026
Regional heats
Heats run across the UAE. Four to five schools per heat, up to ten teams per school. One day, one brief, one chance to build something great.
Inside Competition Day
Stage 01
Teams arrive
Your students show up at the venue prepared after a demo session.
Stage 02
The challenge is revealed 
The theme will be released to all teams at once and everyone starts at once.
Stage 03
Build and pitch
Teams build a solution using a premium AI app builder, then pitch to judges before the session ends. 
Dec
2026
Finalists announced
Top teams from each heat are invited to the Grand Final and receive dedicated support in the lead-up.
Jan
2027
Grand Final
The best teams from across the UAE compete for the top prize and recognition at a national level.

Register for the Pure Minds Academy AI Hackathon 

Register your school's interest in the AI Hackathon. Share your details below and our team will help you with the next steps. 

* Seats are limited and registration will be on a first come first serve basis 

AI Hackathon FAQs

Is there a cost to participate?

 No. Participation is completely free for all schools and students. 

What is a demo session and do we have to attend one?

 A demo session is a 45-minute walkthrough of the hackathon format - what students do on the day, how the tools work, and what to expect. We run them online and onsite. We recommend attending one before confirming your teams, though it is not mandatory. 

Do students need to know how to code?

 No. Students use Lovable, an AI-powered app builder that handles the technical side. The focus is the idea, the problem, and the pitch - not writing code. 

How many teams can our school enter?

 Each school can enter up to 10 teams per heat. Teams are 1 to 2 students each. 

What does the teacher need to do on the day?

 Very little. You show up with your students. We handle the venue, the brief, the mentors, the judging, and the programme. Your students take it from there. 

How are teams judged?

 Teams are judged on how well they understood the problem, what they built, and how they presented it. Full judging criteria are shared with schools before their heat.