Orange gradient grid background for the AI Buildathon
AI@IM

Buildathon.

Build. Learn. Compete.

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Join the AI Buildathon and turn your ideas into real-world solutions. Learn, build, and compete using industry-grade tools, no prior experience needed.

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Overview

From Idea
to AI-Powered
Solution.

The Alibaba Cloud AI Buildathon brings together students from the University of Kelaniya
to learn, experiment and build with AI.Following the kickoff and training, you'll have two weeks to transform an idea into a
functional AI-powered prototype using Qoder, QoderWork or MuleRun.You don't need to arrive as an AI expert. Bring your curiosity, creativity and willingness to build.

Format

Build From Anywhere

Take part in the build sprint with online training and mentorship, followed by an in-person Grand Finale.

Online Build Sprint In-Person Finale

Team Size

1–3 Members

Go solo or team up with fellow University of Kelaniya students and bring complementary skills together.

Solo Duo Team of 3

CHOOSE YOUR TRACK

Build for a
Real Industry Challenge.

Your project must be developed within one of the official Buildathon tracks below. Choose the field that best fits your idea, identify a meaningful problem, and build an AI-powered solution around it.

BFSI & FinTech

Banking, payments, insurance and smart financial tools.

EdTech & Inclusive Learning

Accessible education, tutoring and learning platforms.

Hospitality & Tourism

Travel planning, guest experiences and destination tech.

Smart Manufacturing

Automation, predictive maintenance and Industry 4.0.

Retail & eCommerce

Personalized shopping, inventory and storefront AI.

Enterprise Customer Support

AI agents, help desks and smarter service workflows.

YOUR AI TOOLKIT

Three Tools.
One Mission: Build.

Meet the tools that will power your journey from first idea to final prototype.

Q

Qoder

Agentic IDE

An AI-native development environment designed to help you turn ideas and specifications into working software.

Real Software Development
QW

QoderWork

Desktop AI Agent
TRIGGERACTIONRESOLVED

Describe what you need and let an AI agent help plan, execute and produce real outputs.

Provided to all Teams
M

MuleRun

AI Workflow Runtime
98.5ms

Connect models, APIs and data to create AI-powered workflows that can be triggered, automated and shared.

Cloud Credits Available
THE ROAD TO THE FINALS

Your Buildathon Journey.

01
August 14, 2026

Registration Deadline

  • Roster locks — no new profiles or members accepted after deadline
02
August 20, 2026

Kick-Off & Product Training Online Session

  • Workspace and tooling credentials dispatched to registered teams
  • Combined Kick-Off session and hands-on Product Training
  • Introduction to tools, structure, and project guidelines
03
August 31, 2026, 5:30 PM

Q&A Session for Teams

  • Live online session for teams to ask questions and resolve issues before the submission deadline
04
September 5, 2026, 11:59 PM

Submission Deadline

  • Build models, compile source repository, and submit walkthrough demo video
  • Submission portal closes
05
Tentative

Finals (Onsite Pitching)

  • Finalist teams pitch their AI solutions onsite before judges
THE PRIZE POOL

Prizes & Global Certification

Three teams. Three cash prizes.

2nd

1st Runner's Up

Second Place Overall

$800
  • Alibaba Cloud Certificate
  • Cloud platform credits
1st

Grand Prize

Overall Winner

$1000
  • Alibaba Cloud Official Certificate
  • Cloud platform credits
3rd

2nd Runner's Up

Third Place Overall

$500
  • Alibaba Cloud Certificate
  • Cloud platform credits

Roster Registered!

Congratulations, team !

Your team profile has been successfully registered. Check your inbox for confirmation details.

Registration Closed

Registrations for the AI Buildathon closed on August 15 at 7:00 AM.