VSLive! Microsoft AI Hackathon 2026

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

Held July 28-29 at VSLive! @ Microsoft HQ

Thank You to our Competitors

The VSLive! Microsoft AI Hackathon was a purpose-built innovation challenge for developers to create a real-world, enterprise-ready AI solution using Microsoft's modern AI stack. Over two high-energy evenings on the Microsoft Campus in Redmond, WA, contestants went beyond proofs of concept, they were tasked to design and deliver secure, scalable applications powered by Azure OpenAI, Microsoft Copilot, AI agents, and .NET.

We want to thank all of our competitors for an amazing high-stakes build-off!

Hackathon Categories Explained

  • 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 were evaluated across the following weighted criteria:

Relevance to the problem

Architecture & design

Safety & security considerations

Creativity & originality

User experience

Additional considerations

VSLive! Microsoft AI Hackathon Winners

Prize Structure – Up to $25,000
The awards ceremony was held on Thursday, July 30th in the Microsoft Commons Mixer (Building 98)


Top Awards

  • $6,000

    Hackathon Grand
    Champion

    Overall best project across innovation, execution, and impact

    Team Orcas: Daniil Simonian, Ilian Khankhalaev, Artyom Borodovitsyn

  • $2,000

    Best
    Team Build

    Outstanding collaboration, design,and delivery

    (Team Redmond Summer: Richard (Gang) Huang, Yu Zheng, Kevin Keeney

  • $2,000

    Best
    Solo Hacker

    Most impressive individual project

    Yoann Frayce

Category Awards

  • Best Azure OpenAI / LLM-Powered App

    $2,000 1st Place — Jason Beres
    $1,250 2nd Place — Bill Blair
    $750 3rd Place — Jerry Ross

  • Best Microsoft Copilot Integration

    $2,000 1st Place — Max Chtcherbatchenko
    $1,250 2nd Place — Kenny Yukich
    $750 3rd Place — Tony Doko

  • Best AI Agent or Workflow Automation

    $2,000 1st Place — Anthony Cui
    $1,250 2nd Place — Max Chung
    $750 3rd Place — Vishwa Kumar

  • Microsoft .NET Powered Business Applications

    $750 1st Place — Team Reliance: Mayur Patel, Tae Jin Chung
    $500 2nd Place — Cliff Manning
    $250 3rd Place — Ali Al Obaidi

  • Creative Applications

    $750 1st Place — Rick Hellwege
    $500 2nd Place — Team AllAboutCoding: Tracy Rickman, Ben Lopez
    $250 3rd Place — Geoffrey Willis

What a Huge Success

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].