#BuildHybridAI Hackathon 2026

#BuildHybridAI 2026 is an online hackathon from Google, managed on Devpost, where you build an AI app that runs both on the device and in the cloud using Firebase AI Logic hybrid inference. A single Grand Prize of US$30,000 (about ₹28.5 lakh) in cash is on offer, and submissions open on 9 November 2026 and close on 30 November 2026.

A note on what we could read: the Devpost page blocked our automated check, so this listing relies on the information already saved from the official page. The full rules go live on 9 November 2026, so read them carefully before you submit.

What the program offers

The prize is one Grand Prize of US$30,000 (about ₹28.5 lakh) in cash, for a single winner. It is a hackathon prize, not a loan or an investment, and the saved information describes no equity being taken. The rules, submission requirements, prize details and bonus challenges are published on 9 November 2026, so there may be extra prizes or conditions that we cannot confirm yet.

You get about three weeks to build, either alone or in a team. The hackathon is online, so there is no travel involved on the information we have.

Who can apply

Entry is open to people above the legal age of majority in their country of residence, from all countries and territories except the standard exceptions that appear in the official rules. We cannot see which countries those exceptions name, so check the rules page. You can enter solo or as a team.

For an Indian developer or startup team this means you can generally take part, provided you are an adult under Indian law and the rules do not list an exception that affects you. It suits mobile and web developers who already use or want to learn Firebase and on-device AI. It does not suit anyone who wants to build something that does not use Firebase AI Logic hybrid inference, since that is the theme.

How to apply

Register on the hackathon's Devpost page by clicking the button to join. If you want teammates, you can look for them on the Participants tab. Before building begins, read up on Firebase AI Logic hybrid inference, which is the technology your app must use. When submissions open on 9 November 2026, read the official rules and the submission requirements, then build your app and submit your project on Devpost before the deadline. A practical tip: plan to submit at least a day early, because the cut-off is 2:00 PM Pacific time on 30 November 2026, which is 3:30 AM IST on 1 December 2026.

How applications are judged and what happens next

Judges score projects on four things. Technical implementation looks at how well the project uses Firebase AI Logic hybrid inference. Design asks whether the project is a complete and coherent product rather than a proof of concept. The other two are potential impact and the quality of the idea. Full judging details, the winner announcement date and how the prize is paid are published with the official rules, and we could not confirm them.

About Google and Devpost

Google is the organiser of the hackathon, and the competition is managed on Devpost, a platform that hosts online hackathons. Firebase is Google's app development platform, and Firebase AI Logic is the part that lets apps call AI models, in this case with a mix of on-device and cloud inference.

Things to check before you apply

• The official rules were not yet published when this listing was written, so check them for prize payment, tax, eligibility exceptions and intellectual property terms.
• The prize is stated in US dollars; the rupee figure is an estimate, so the amount you receive may differ.
• Winners of international prizes should check Indian tax treatment of the prize with an adviser.
• The source does not mention an entry fee. Check the registration page.
• Your app must use Firebase AI Logic hybrid inference, so test early that it works on a real device.