VSLive! Microsoft AI Hackathon 2026

Build Real AI with Microsoft Copilot, Azure OpenAI, and .NET

Compete for up to $25,000 in cash prizes

Tuesday, July 28 | 6:00pm – 10:00pm & Wednesday, July 29, 2026 | 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Awards Ceremony | Thursday, July 30 | 11:00 - 11:30am | Microsoft Commons Mixer (Building 98)

The VSLive! Microsoft AI Hackathon is a purpose-built innovation challenge for developers who want to create real-world, enterprise-ready AI solutions using Microsoft’s modern AI stack. Over two high-energy evenings, you’ll move beyond proofs of concept to design and deliver secure, scalable applications powered by Azure OpenAI, Microsoft Copilot, AI agents, and .NET.

If you’re ready to turn advanced AI capabilities into practical impact—and compete for up to $25,000 in prizes—this is where it happens.

Why This Hackathon Matters

AI is rapidly reshaping how applications are built—but knowing what’s possible isn’t enough. This hackathon is about how AI is actually implemented inside modern Microsoft environments.

Projects are judged the way real enterprise software is judged:

  • Architecture and design
  • Security
    and safety
  • Relevance to real business problems
  • User experience and execution

This is a hackathon for developers who ship.

Featured Microsoft AI Challenge Categories

Participants must declare a primary category and may also declare a secondary category.

  • Best Azure OpenAI / LLM-Powered App Build an application that uses Azure OpenAI, GPT models, or LLM orchestration to solve a real-world problem.
  • Best Microsoft Copilot Integration Create a compelling, practical integration using Microsoft Copilot, Copilot Studio, or Copilot APIs.
  • Best AI Agent or Workflow Automation Design autonomous or semi-autonomous AI agents that streamline workflows using Microsoft tools.
  • Microsoft .NET Powered Business Applications Develop APIs, services, productivity tools, or workflow applications built on .NET and the Microsoft ecosystem.
  • Creative
    Applications     Explore creative uses of AI and Microsoft technologies—content generation, image creation, games, or interactive experiences.

Judging Criteria

Projects will be evaluated across the following weighted criteria:

Relevance to the problem

Architecture & design

Safety & security considerations

Creativity & originality

User experience

Additional considerations

Judging categories may be refined based on peer review and feedback.

Prize Structure – Up to $25,000

Awards Ceremony will be held on Thursday, July 30 at 11am
in the Microsoft Commons Mixer (Building 98)


Top Awards

  • $6,000

    Hackathon Grand
    Champion

    Overall best project across innovation, execution, and impact

    (Not eligible for any other monetary prize)

  • $2,000

    Best
    Team Build

    Outstanding collaboration, design,and delivery

    (Not eligible for any other monetary prize)

  • $2,000

    Best
    Solo Hacker

    Most impressive individual project

    (Not eligible for any other monetary prize)

Category Awards

  • Best Azure OpenAI / LLM-Powered App

    $2,000 – 1st Place
    $1,250 – 2nd Place
    $750 – 3rd Place

  • Best Microsoft Copilot Integration

    $2,000 – 1st Place
    $1,250 – 2nd Place
    $750 – 3rd Place

  • Best AI Agent or Workflow Automation

    $2,000 – 1st Place
    $1,250 – 2nd Place
    $750 – 3rd Place

  • Microsoft .NET Powered Business Applications

    $750 – 1st Place
    $500 – 2nd Place
    $250 – 3rd Place

  • Creative Applications

    $750 – 1st Place
    $500 – 2nd Place
    $250 – 3rd Place

Notes: Each project or team may win one (1) monetary prize only. Additional sponsored and specialty awards will be announced closer to the event. Exhibitors, speakers, employees or contractors of Microsoft, and sponsors are not eligible to participate in the VSLive! Microsoft AI Hackathon.

Who Should Participate

  • Software developers and engineers
  • AI practitioners and architects
  • .NET and Microsoft platform developers
  • Teams exploring Copilot, Azure OpenAI, or AI agents
  • Builders who want hands-on experience with production-minded AI

Build What’s Next—With Microsoft AI

The VSLive! Microsoft AI Hackathon is where innovation meets execution. Come build something bold, practical, and impactful—and show what’s possible when AI is done right.

How to Join

Conference Attendees

  • Add the Hackathon to your VSLive! @ Microsoft conference package during registration (participation is free for registered attendees).
    Register Now

Community Attendees - Hackathon Only

  • If you can’t join us for the full conference, you can purchase a Hackathon only package.
  • Hackathon only package is $50 and you can register here
  • This hackathon is an in-person event and will not be available virtually.

Limited spots available for both conference and community attendees – register now to secure your spot today!

  • Hands-on and fast-paced
  • Free with conference package
  • Top prizes & serious bragging rights
  • Mentors, exposure & networking
  • Showcase your work
Register Now

Details:

  • Dates: Tuesday, July 28 & Wednesday, July 29, 2026
  • Time: 6:00pm – 10:00pm on Tuesday & 5:00 - 9:00pm on Wednesday (4 hours per night)
  • Location: Microsoft Commons Mixer (Building 98), Microsoft Headquarters, Redmond, WA
  • Night 1 – Kickoff & First Sprint
    • Welcome and hackathon kickoff
    • Team formation & idea-matching
    • Idea pitching and planning
    • First coding sprint & mentor check-ins
  • Night 2 – Build & Submit
    • Final coding sprint and project build-out
    • Prepare and submit final code files
    • Record and submit project demo video
  • Thursday – Demos & Awards (11:00am)
    • Project highlights and selected demos
    • Judging recap
    • Awards ceremony and celebration

Expect snacks, coffee, and late-night coding vibes with a fun competitive edge that brings out your best.

Who Can Join:

  • Free for all VSLive! @ Microsoft HQ registered attendees
  • Community participants: $50 entry fee . This hackathon is an in-person event and will not be available virtually. Hackathon Only register here

Participation:

  • Solo Mission - Work on your own
  • Teams of up to 4 people
    • Have a team you would like to work with? Great – note your other team members during registration so we can group you together. Please note that all team members must register individually.
    • Want to join a team but coming on your own? No problem—we'll match you with other participants looking for a group.

FAQ

Who can join?

Any registered VSLive! @ Microsoft HQ attendee. Limited spots are available for community members for a $50 entry fee.

Hackathon participation is limited and once the limit has been reached, no additional spots will be available.

Exhibitors, speakers, employees or contractors of Microsoft, and sponsors are not eligible to participate in the VSLive! Microsoft AI Hackathon.

Do I need a team?

No. Solo entries are welcome. You can also form a team of up to 4 members during registration or we will place you with other participants looking for a team.

What tech can I use?

Anything you can build and demo live: .NET, web, cloud, AI/agents, or hybrid stacks. Creativity and innovation matter most.

Are there rules?

Yes:

  • Projects must be started at the event (using existing libraries and frameworks is fine).
  • All assets and dependencies must be properly licensed.
  • This hackathon is an in-person event and will not be available virtually.
  • Full guidelines and judging criteria will be published closer to the event.
Who owns the IP?

You do. Participants and teams retain full ownership and rights to their intellectual property. VSLive! and event sponsors make no claims to your code, designs, or concepts—what you build is entirely yours to keep, refine, and ship.

Will there be food?

Yes. Light snacks and beverages will be provided—expect the essential fuel to keep hacking.

For more information about the VSLive! Hackathon, contact Danielle Potts at [email protected].