AWS MSP AI Hackathon 2026

The AWS MSP AI Hackathon 2026 is an online hackathon from Amazon Web Services (AWS), run on Devpost, for managed service providers and other companies in the AWS Partner Network (APN). Only people who work for, or are authorised to act for, an organisation registered with the APN can enter, so an ordinary startup that is not an AWS Partner cannot take part. Winning projects earn up to US$10,000 (about ₹9.5 lakh) each, and the cash prizes total US$64,000 (about ₹60.8 lakh). Submissions close at 12:00 PM PT on 11 December 2026, which is 1:30 AM IST on 12 December.

All team members must be registered with the same AWS Partner, and you register with your corporate email on the organisation's APN-registered domain. Residents of Brazil, Quebec, Russia, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and other sanctioned places cannot enter.

What the program offers

There are two tracks. In each, first place wins US$10,000 (about ₹9.5 lakh), second US$7,000 and third US$5,000. Ten special prizes of US$2,000 each reward the best use of specific AWS AI services. The top three in each track cannot also win a special prize, and a project wins only one prize.

Winners also get inclusion in the MSP AI Use Case Library, priority consideration for AWS go-to-market support and partner marketing, and help towards a possible AWS Marketplace listing. Teams can request US$200 in AWS Promotional Credits to build. The source describes no equity being taken.

Who can apply

You must be at least the age of majority where you live and be employed by, or authorised to act for, an organisation registered with the AWS Partner Network that has signed the APN Terms and Conditions. Employees or affiliates of Amazon or Devpost cannot enter. The project must use at least one AWS AI service and be new or significantly updated during the submission period.

For an Indian company, this works only if it is an APN-registered partner. It suits Indian managed service providers and cloud consultancies that already hold AWS Partner status and want visibility with AWS. It does not suit early startups, students or independent developers without that registration.

How to apply

Make sure your organisation is in the APN and has signed its terms. Register on the Devpost page with your corporate email and your AWS Partner name. Request the optional US$200 credits through the credit form. Build a publicly hosted AI solution with at least one AWS AI service, such as Amazon Bedrock, AgentCore, Strands Agents, Amazon Quick, Kiro or the AWS Frontier Agents.

Choose a track. Track 1 is Run Your MSP Better, for AI that improves your own operations with measurable gains, such as automated triage or AI-driven FinOps. Track 2 is Deliver AI-Driven Outcomes for Customers, for AI-powered services and managed AI offerings for end customers. Share a private code repo with the judges, record a demo video of about three minutes, and prepare an architecture diagram and a high-level design document. Projects must be production-ready. A practical tip: start the design document early, since it is a required item and easy to leave to the last day.

How applications are judged and what happens next

Judges review eligible submissions between 5 and 22 January 2027, and winners are announced around 28 January 2027. Prize winners must pass identity and eligibility verification before payment. The pages we could read did not give the scoring criteria.

About AWS and the Partner Network

AWS is Amazon's cloud company. The AWS Partner Network is its programme for companies that build on, sell or manage AWS services for customers. This hackathon is aimed at its managed service providers.

Things to check before you apply

• Check that your organisation's APN registration and signed terms are in order before you register.
• The source we could read does not state an entry fee or the payout currency. Indian winners should check tax and foreign-receipt rules with an adviser.
• The submission is online, and travel is not mentioned.
• Winners are not guaranteed Marketplace listing; the source speaks of help towards a potential listing.