Frequently asked questions

This page answers common questions about the UAE Hackathon. It covers who can join, how to register, event details, prizes, and more. If you're planning to take part, start here to learn everything you need.

Agenda Evaluation And Awards (15)
Eligibility & Participation Tracks (3)
General Overview (5)
Registration And Logistics (10)

Do the winning team members have the intellectual property rights on the developed product?

Yes. Teams retain ownership of the solutions they develop during the UAE Hackathon. While ideas themselves cannot be exclusively protected, intellectual property becomes stronger once an idea is developed into a tangible product, prototype, or business.
As the hackathon encourages collaboration and open innovation, participants are expected to work in a transparent and cooperative environment. Teams that wish to formally protect or receive attribution for their work are encouraged to consider appropriate intellectual property or licensing options, such as Creative Commons licenses (e.g., CC BY or CC BY-SA), where applicable.

How can I attend the mentorship sessions?

Once your team has successfully registered, selected a challenge, and participated in the required training sessions and the hackathon, you will receive the mentorship schedule and joining details via email.

How can I prepare well for the UAE Hackathon?

To prepare effectively, we recommend that you:
● Attend the online pre-hackathon workshops.
● Review the hackathon challenges carefully.
● Build a diverse team with complementary skills.
● Familiarize yourself with the judging criteria and expected deliverables for your track.

I Have a problem registering my team, how could I solve it?

If you encounter any registration issues, please contact the UAE Hackathon support team at hackathon@tdra.gov.ae, and our team will be happy to assist you.

Should the solution be an idea or a final usable product?

The expected deliverables vary depending on the participation track:
● Rising Stars & Pioneers Tracks: A well-defined innovative idea supported by a Business Model Canvas (BMC).
● Entrepreneurs Track: A functional Minimum Viable Product (MVP) at a minimum.
● Government Innovators Track: Practical recommendations, reports, frameworks, or solution proposals that address government challenges.

What is the agenda of the UAE Hackathon?

The UAE Hackathon consists of two main hackathon streams followed by post-hackathon support and the Innovation Summit:
Hackathon 1: Entrepreneurs & Government Innovators Track
Hackathon 2: Rising Stars & Pioneers Tracks
Regional Hackathons across the UAE during October and early November

What is the deadline to submit my idea?

Teams participating in the UAE Hackathon must submit their projects before the designated Pitching Day.

What is the evaluation criteria of the Hackathon?

Each track will have a dedicated judging panel tailored to the nature of the track participants, their qualifications, and the level of expected outcomes. Projects will be evaluated based on specific elements, including their potential impact on themes, data utilization, impact and relevance, innovative use of emerging technologies, solution feasibility and planning, market potential and commercialization, and presentation clarity. These elements collectively help identify the most innovative ideas that align with the hackathon's themes and can be transformed into impactful solutions. For detailed evaluation criteria, please visit the Criteria Page: https://uat.hackathon.ae/en/Participation-Tracks

What is the timeline of the UAE Hackathon?

The Hackathon's timeline is as follows:
Track 1: Startups & Professionals & Government Intrapreneurs
Aug 18 – 20: Track 1 Hackathon (Startups and GOV innovators)
Aug 24 - Nov 9: Post Hackathon Support for the finalists
Nov 11: Demo Day
Track 2
October 19 - 20: Abu Dhabi Hackathon
October 20 - 21: Sharjah and Ajman Hackathon
October 21 - 22: Umm al Quwain & Ras Al Khaimah Hackathon
October 26 - 27: Fujairah Hackathon
October 28 - 29: Abu Dhabi Hackathon
Nov 16 - Nov 27: Post Hackathon Support for the finalists
Conclusion & Awards
Nov 11: Innovation Summit & Awards Ceremony

What prizes will the winners get?

Prizes and Track Rewards:
Rising Stars Track
1st Place: 10,000 AED
2nd Place: 7,000 AED
3rd Place: 5,000 AED
4th to 10th Place: 3,000 AED each

Pioneers Track
1st Place: 20,000 AED
2nd Place: 15,000 AED
3rd Place: 10,000 AED
4th to 10th Place: 5,000 AED each

Government Innovators Track
1st, 2nd & 3rd Place: 10,000 AED for each winner

Disclaimer
Pioneers & Entrepreneurs Tracks: Teams must provide a letter or proof of registration in an incubator in the UAE to receive monetary awards.
Government Innovators Track: Winners must present their idea to the innovation center within their entity.

What will the participants receive at the end of the Hackathon?

All participants will receive a certificate of participation in recognition of their contribution to the UAE Hackathon.

- In addition, participants will receive track-specific benefits:

- Entrepreneurs Track: Cash prizes, post-hackathon incubation and business support, mentorship, and opportunities to further develop their startups.

- Rising Stars & Pioneers Tracks: Cash prizes, entrepreneurship development support, and continued mentoring to strengthen and refine their ideas.

- Government Innovators Track: Professional recognition, mentorship, and opportunities to further develop and present their solutions within their organizations.

When will the prizes be awarded?

Prizes will be presented during the Innovation Summit & Awards Ceremony.

When will the results be declared?

Prizes will be presented during the Innovation Summit & Awards Ceremony.

Who is the owner of the idea?

The ownership of all submitted ideas remains with the participating teams. The UAE Hackathon does not claim ownership of participants' ideas.
However, it is important to note that ideas alone cannot be legally protected. Intellectual property protection becomes stronger once an idea is developed into a tangible product, prototype, or business.

Will there be additional activities aside from training and hacking?

Yes. In addition to the hackathon activities, participants will benefit from a variety of learning and networking opportunities, including:
Technology sessions
Communication and presentation workshops
Technology transfer sessions
Networking opportunities
Expert talks and panel discussions
Eligibility and

Are there specific tracks for participants in this edition?

Yes. The UAE Hackathon 2026 offers four participation tracks designed to suit different age groups, backgrounds, and experience levels:

● Rising Stars Track – School Students
● Pioneers Track – University Students
● Entrepreneurs Track
● Government Innovators Track
Each track has its own objectives, judging criteria, and expected deliverables.

Who can participate in each track of the Hackathon?

Rising Stars Track

- For school students aged 11–17 who have not yet enrolled in university. The track focuses on fostering creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills.

Pioneers Track

- For university students aged 18–25. The track helps participants transform innovative ideas into practical prototypes through collaboration and experimentation.

Entrepreneurs Track

- Designed for entrepreneurs and professionals with industry experience who are interested in developing innovative solutions, validating opportunities, and building scalable products.

Government Innovators Track

- Designed for federal employees, policy leaders, and decision-makers who aim to develop innovative initiatives that improve public services and address national challenges.

Who can participate in the UAE Hackathon?

Anyone residing in the UAE with a valid Emirates ID is welcome to participate in the UAE Hackathon 2026. Registration is open to all UAE citizens, including students, employees, entrepreneurs, and creators—anyone with the passion and ability to innovate and develop creative, flexible ideas. Participants are encouraged to join one of four tracks based on their qualifications: the Rising Stars Track, designed for school students aged 11 to 17, focuses on ideation and fostering a spirit of creativity and innovation; the Pioneers Track, for university students aged 18 to 25, emphasizes ideation and prototyping to bridge the gap between ideas and tangible projects; the Entrepreneurs Track, tailored for professionals and entrepreneurs, focuses on ideation and prototyping to identify intrapreneurship opportunities and lead meaningful transformations; and the Government Innovators Track, designed for federal employees, policy leaders, and decision-makers, centers on creating initiatives that transform public services and address national challenges. These distinct tracks ensure that participants from all backgrounds can contribute meaningfully to shaping the UAE’s future.

How many hackathons will form part of the UAE Hackathon 2026?

This year, the UAE Hackathon will consist of five hackathons, covering all seven emirates to ensure widespread participation and engagement. Each hackathon provides a unique opportunity for innovators across the UAE to contribute their ideas and solutions to the nation’s challenges. For detailed information about the hackathon schedule, locations, and phases, please visit the Journey section of the website.

Is the UAE Hackathon an on-site or online hackathon?

The UAE Hackathon follows a hybrid format, combining both in-person and online elements to provide a comprehensive and flexible experience. The Hackathons, workshops and collaborative sessions will take place on-site, fostering hands-on learning and networking opportunities. Meanwhile, trainings and mentorship sessions will be conducted online, ensuring accessibility and convenience for participants across the UAE.

What is the UAE Hackathon?

It’s one of the largest competitive events encouraging innovation in the UAE. It motivates and inspires entrepreneurs, creative thinkers and innovators to shape the future by solving pressing technical challenges that could face different government or public entities and organizations the UAE, using open data available on the UAE official Open Data Portal (Bayanat.ae) as a tool to come up with innovative solutions.

What’s the latest in this version of the Hackathon?

New in UAE Hackathon 2026, artificial intelligence is embedded across all tracks to enhance solution development, support data-driven thinking, and accelerate innovation outcomes. Participants will also benefit from secure, pre-approved data environments that enable faster and more reliable experimentation. The hackathon introduces stronger engagement with selected government partners to support real-world implementation of ideas, alongside a more transparent, AI-supported judging process that enhances fairness and consistency. In addition, a structured post-hackathon support system will help promising teams further develop and scale their solutions into impactful initiatives with national relevance.

Who are the organizers and partners of the UAE Hackathon?

The UAE Hackathon is part of the innovative initiatives launched by The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA). Several government agencies participate in the UAE Hackathon. This includes local digital and electronic governments, a number of federal and local government agencies, and the private sector.

Can I apply individually or must I apply with a team?

Registration begins individually through UAE PASS.

However, project submissions must be made by a team consisting of at least two members.

Can I edit my submission or resubmit after I applied?

Yes. You may edit or resubmit your application at any time before the submission deadline.

Can I participate online from outside the UAE?

No.
The UAE Hackathon is open only to UAE residents holding a valid Emirates ID. While training and mentorship sessions are delivered online, participation in the hackathon is limited to eligible participants residing within the UAE.

Do I need to know how to code or have a technical skill to participate?

No.
Technical skills are not mandatory. Participants from all backgrounds are welcome to join. However, teams are encouraged to include members with technical expertise to strengthen the quality and feasibility of their solutions.

How can I register at the Hackathon?

To register:

● Visit the UAE Hackathon website and click Register.
● Sign in using your UAE PASS account (or create one if you do not already have one).
● Select the participation track that matches your profile.
● Choose the theme and challenge you would like to work on.
● Complete your registration details and submit your application.
● Once your registration is complete, you will gain access to the UAE Hackathon platform.

How many members are required in each team?

Each team must consist of a minimum of 2 members and a maximum of 7 members.

Is participation in the UAE Hackathon limited to citizens and residents?

No. Participation is open to anyone residing in the UAE who holds a valid Emirates ID.

Must I participate in a co‑ed team?

No. Teams are not required to be co-ed. However, all project submissions must be submitted by a team rather than by an individual.

What are the requirements for registering for the UAE Hackathon?

The primary requirement is to register using a valid UAE PASS account.

Additional eligibility requirements may vary depending on the selected participation track. Participants should also have an interest in solving challenges using open data and emerging technologies. Although technical expertise is not required, curiosity and a willingness to innovate are highly encouraged.

Which languages can I register in?

You can register either in English or Arabic.