Artificial intelligence has never been more accessible. As language models radically transform our relationship with technology, Mistral AI is launching a global-scale hackathon. From February 28 to March 1, 2026, over 1,000 developers and AI enthusiasts will gather simultaneously in Paris, London, New York, San Francisco, Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney, and online to push the boundaries of innovation. With over $200,000 in prizes and a unique opportunity to join the Mistral ecosystem, this event promises to be the must-attend gathering for the AI community this early in the year.
The Challenge
The Mistral Hackathon invites participants to build innovative projects leveraging the capabilities of Mistral’s latest AI models. For 48 hours non-stop, teams will have access to Mistral AI APIs and credits to develop creative, technical, or high-impact social applications. Whether it’s automation tools, intelligent assistants, creative applications, or sector-specific solutions, the only imperative is to demonstrate the transformative potential of generative AI.
Expected deliverables include a code repository, a functional demonstration, and a pitch presentation before the jury. Projects must be original and developed during the hackathon. Participants retain intellectual property of their creations, although Mistral AI reserves a non-exclusive right to use them for promotional purposes.
Practical Info & Schedule
Format: Hybrid – 7 cities in-person (Paris, London, New York, San Francisco, Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney) + online participation available
Duration: 48 intensive hours, from Saturday, February 28 to Sunday, March 1
Key Dates:
- February 25 (5pm local time): Online briefing with partners and tool presentation
- February 28 (9am-10am): Opening speech and official launch
- February 28 (10am-12pm): Team formation and idea brainstorming
- March 1 (3pm-5pm): Final presentations before the jury
- March 1 (5pm-6pm): Jury deliberation and local winners announcement
Who Can Participate?
The hackathon is open to all AI enthusiasts, regardless of experience level. Participants can register solo or form teams of 1 to 4 people. Each participant must register individually and registration is subject to organizers’ validation.
Evaluation Criteria & Rules
Projects will be evaluated by a jury of experts whose composition will be revealed soon. Specific scoring criteria have not yet been officially announced, but evaluation can be expected to be based on technical innovation, potential impact, implementation quality, and creativity.
Essential Rules:
- Projects must be original and developed during the hackathon
- Participants retain intellectual property of their creations
Resources & Official Links
- Registration: via dedicated Luma pages by city or online edition
- Official Website: worldwide-hackathon.mistral.ai
- Organizers: Iterate (operator) in partnership with Mistral AI
Why Participate in Mistral Hackathon 2026?
Beyond the $200,000 in total rewards, this hackathon represents an exceptional opportunity to join the Mistral AI ecosystem. The global grand winner will receive $10,000 cash, $15,000 in Mistral credits, and a hiring opportunity at Mistral AI. In each city, the top three podium finishers will receive between $500 and $1,500 cash, plus substantial API credits.
Special prizes include custom AirPods (Best Vibe Usage), $2,000 in ElevenLabs credits per team member, a collector’s Game Boy Color (best video game project), and a Reachy Mini robot (best use of agent skills). Prestigious sponsors (Weights & Biases, NVIDIA, AWS, Hugging Face, ElevenLabs, Supercell) offer privileged access to their technologies and mentors.
