$5K
$3.5K
$1.5K
*Plus 5–8 finalist teams are invited to join us to present live at the summit. See *[*FAQs*](/events/conferences/api-ai-summit/hackathon#faqs)*FAQs** for more details.*
## Sign up, build, present, win.
Get free access with Kong's free trial, build virtually, then present in person. The stage is real, Roosevelt Ballroom, Day 1 of API + AI Summit.
Sign up for Kong's 30-day free trial to get access to AI Gateway, Agent Gateway, and Konnect. This is what you'll build on.
Ship a working demo on AI Gateway, Agent Gateway, or Konnect. Solo or team. Submit online, no travel required.
Top teams are invited to join us in LA to go deeper on their submission live, demo walkthrough and Q&A in front of Kong leadership and engineers. Real feedback, real room.
Top three teams win gift card prizes: $5,000, $3,500, and $1,500.
*Can't travel? Present remotely, same judging, same prize.*
## Six weeks, start to stage.
Submission portal live. Rules and prize details published.
Three weeks to build and submit. No travel, no cost to enter.
Kong leadership and solutions engineers review every submission.
5–8 teams invited to LA. Free summit registration, travel and logistics confirmed.
Direct comms and build support from Kong solutions engineers ahead of the live finals.
Day 1 — Roosevelt Ballroom. Finalists go deeper on their submission live, 10 min per team (6-min demo + 4-min Q&A) with the judging panel.
Day 2 keynote
## Bring a real problem. Build a real fix.
## Govern and route AI traffic
Multi-model routing, token controls, prompt security. Show us what production-grade AI infrastructure looks like at your scale.
## Ship agentic workflows
Multi-agent orchestration, identity across workflows, MCP-based tool access. Take an agent from demo to something that survives contact with production.
## Connect and monetize APIs
Usage metering, developer portals, API monetization. Build the connective layer your product actually needs to ship.
## Your idea. Our infrastructure. $10K in prizes to ship it.
Founders, engineers, and teams building AI or API infrastructure.
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## FAQs
What is Kong Build Sprint?
A two-stage hackathon for early-stage builders. Submit a working build on Kong AI Gateway, Agent Gateway, or Konnect during a 3-week virtual window. Top teams present live at API + AI Summit and compete for gift card prizes.
Who can enter?
Anyone 18 or older building on Kong's platform — solo builders, small teams, funded or not. One entry per company.
Who is not eligible to participate?
The following can't enter Kong Build Sprint:
- - Anyone under 18
- - Government or public officials, or those acting on their behalf
- - Individuals subject to trade sanctions or export restrictions
- - Kong employees involved in administering the contest
- - Residents of Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Russia, Belarus, the Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions of Ukraine, Italy, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, mainland China, or India
Full eligibility terms, including jurisdiction-specific restrictions, are in the [official contest rules.](https://assets.prd.mktg.konghq.com/files/2026/08/6a7f3d0c-kong-sprint-terms--conditions-2026.pdf)official contest rules.
What do I need to build?
Something real that runs on AI Gateway, Agent Gateway, or Konnect. No pitch deck. No pre-built demo required — get started with Kong's 30-day free trial and build during the submission window.
How do I submit?
Through the Kong Build Sprint landing page. You'll need a team name, contact info, the Kong product you used, and a demo link or short video.
Does it cost anything to enter?
No. No purchase or payment required to enter or win.
What's the timeline?
Submissions open Aug 19 and close Sept 9. Judging runs Sept 9–16. Finalists are announced Sept 17. Live finals are Sept 30 at API + AI Summit (Roosevelt Ballroom, Day 1). Winners are revealed Oct 1 at the Day 2 keynote.
How is judging done?
Entries are scored on technical execution, real use of Kong, originality and impact, and — for finalists — the quality of the live demo. Kong's solutions engineers and product growth team judge; no random selection.
What do finalists win?
Top three teams take home gift card prizes: $5,000 for first, $3,500 for second, $1,500 for third.
What happens if I'm selected as a finalist?
You will be invited to join us in LA at API + AI Summit to present in the live finals - 10-minute slot plus, a 6-minute demo walkthrough plus 4 minutes of Q&A with the judging panel. Your pass to the summit is free and we will cover up to 2 nights at our host hotel - up to 2 people; however, finalists must cover their travel expenses.
What if I can't travel to LA?
Finalists who can't travel present remotely, live via video call-in during their assigned slot. Same judging, same panel, same prize eligibility.
Can my company submit more than one entry?
No — one entry per company.
## Premium. Immersive. Limited.
Secure your spot today before prices increase on September 1.
IN-PERSON
Full Experience
- Keynotes and product launches
- Hands-on workshops
- Deep technical sessions
- Full virtual access included
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IN-PERSON
Full Experience + Certification Training
- Pre-event certification training sessions
- Keynotes and product launches
- Hands-on workshops
- Deep technical sessions built for builders
- Full virtual access included
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