NEXXT AI Hackathon 2026: More than 50 teams build artificial intelligence solutions in Bucharest

More than 50 teams, more than 30 mentors and one shared challenge: turning ideas into AI prototypes that solve real business problems. NEXXT AI Hackathon 2026 returns for its third edition on October 28–29 at FACE Convention Center in Bucharest. It invites students, young professionals and startup founders to build the next generation of artificial intelligence solutions. Participants will compete for €8,000 in cash prizes and in-kind benefits worth €30,000.

The competition sets out three AI innovation tracks, with applications in business growth, operational efficiency and robotics:

Participants can register individually or in teams of 3–6 members, and the program runs in two stages. On October 28, teams focus on building their AI solutions: they start from the proposed challenges, build prototypes and test their ideas. On October 29, participants meet their mentors, receive technical and business feedback, and attend hands-on masterclasses and selected sessions of the NEXXT AI Summit conference. The day ends with the finalist projects presenting on the Main Stage and the winning teams receiving their awards.

NEXXT AI Hackathon brings together developers, entrepreneurs, students and corporate professionals under one roof, creating a setting where their skills and perspectives complement each other. The goal is to build a community of AI innovators who find collaborators, learn together and develop projects with real potential for adoption by companies.

“Romania has a strong foundation of talent and experience in technology. Artificial intelligence is opening a new wave of opportunities, and the next step calls for adaptability, bold ideas and people who put them into practice. Through NEXXT AI Hackathon, we want to support the next generation of innovators. We bring together people with different perspectives and give them the context, guidance and resources to build solutions and accelerate the adoption of new technologies” said Alexandra Pollack, CEO of NEXXT AI Hackathon.

Raiffeisen Bank Romania, main partner and initiator of this movement, supports closer ties between tech talent and the challenges companies face. The bank’s involvement helps build a community where ideas are tested in dialogue with the business world. It also helps participants understand what it takes to turn a prototype into a solution used in practice.

“Artificial intelligence proves its value when it responds to real needs and helps both people and companies work more efficiently, faster and better. Through NEXXT AI Hackathon, we connect young talent with the experience of mentors and give them a framework in which ideas can become solutions relevant to the business world” said Mircea Busuioceanu, Vice President, Risk Division, Raiffeisen Bank Romania.

Teams will be supported by more than 30 technical and business mentors, including professionals from Raiffeisen Bank Romania, Stripe, QA DNA, Decathlon, IKEA, Adore Me, Instantly, Featherless AI, Alchemy and the Institute for Humane Robotics. The mentors will help participants validate their hypotheses, identify improvements to their prototypes and prepare their pitches. They bring experience in AI product development, robotics and technology implementation in companies.

NEXXT AI Hackathon is part of NEXXT AI Summit, which brings together 2,000+ business leaders, technology experts and public institution representatives, 50+ international speakers and 30+ AI solutions. Access to the conference and masterclasses on October 29 gives participants opportunities to learn from and interact with professionals from the organizations represented: OpenAI, Anthropic, Microsoft, Google Cloud, AWS, IBM, HPE, Adobe, IKEA, Decathlon, Renault, Raiffeisen Bank, Regina Maria, BBC, Financial Times, SandboxAQ, Deep Space Biology and the European Space Agency.

Registration for NEXXT AI Hackathon closes on October 20, 2026, or once the competition reaches full capacity. Participants can apply individually or as a team. Participation terms and the application form are available on the NEXXT AI Hackathon registration page.