$5K
$3.5K
$1.5K
*Plus every submitter gets a free pass to API + AI Summit — and winners get flight and hotel covered too. 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, and submit. Win, and we fly you to LA to be recognized on stage during the Day 2 keynote.
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
(Available now)
Ship a working demo on AI Gateway, Agent Gateway, or Konnect. Solo or team. Submit online, no travel required. Kong engineers review in-progress submissions and share feedback along the way.
(Aug 19 – Sept 9)
Kong's judging panel scores every submission and selects the top 3 teams: $5,000 for first, $3,500 for second, $1,500 for third.
(Winners chosen Sept 16)
Winning teams get flight and hotel covered for up to two people, and are recognized on stage during the Day 2 keynote. Can't make it? We'll bring you up on screen.
(Oct 1 · Day 2 keynote)
## 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.
Top 3 teams selected and notified privately. All submitters get a free summit pass; winners' flight and hotel are confirmed for up to two people per team.
Kong books flights and hotel for winning teams ahead of the summit.
Day 2 keynote. Winners unable to travel join virtually on screen.
## 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 hackathon for early-stage builders. Submit a working build on Kong AI Gateway, Agent Gateway, or Konnect during a 3-week virtual window. Kong's judging panel picks the top 3 teams, who win gift card prizes and get flown to LA to be recognized on stage.
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 certain states in 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, and winners are chosen and notified privately by Sept 16. Winners are publicly recognized Oct 1 at the Day 2 keynote.
How is judging done?
Entries are scored on technical execution, real use of Kong, and originality and impact. Kong's solutions engineers and product growth team judge directly from submissions; no live pitch, no random selection.
Will I get feedback on my submission?
Yes. Kong engineers review submissions during the window and share feedback so you can improve your entry before Sept 9.
What do winners win?
Top three teams take home gift card prizes: $5,000 for first, $3,500 for second, $1,500 for third, plus flight and hotel covered to attend the summit.
Do I get anything just for submitting?
Yes. Every team that submits a complete entry gets a free pass to attend API + AI Summit in LA, whether or not you win. If you don't win and choose to attend, you're responsible for your own travel and hotel.
What happens if I win?
Your summit pass is free, and we'll also cover the flight and hotel for up to **two people** on your team (see [Kong's travel guidelines](https://assets.prd.mktg.konghq.com/files/2026/08/6a90694a-api--ai-summit-external-speaker-travel-guidelines.pdf)Kong's travel guidelines) to join us in LA. You'll be recognized on stage during the Day 2 keynote.
What if I can't travel to LA?
If your team wins but can't travel to LA, we'll bring you up on screen to accept your prize virtually during the Day 2 keynote. Same prize, same recognition.
Can my company submit more than one entry?
No — one entry per company.
## Premium. Immersive. Limited.
Secure your spot today.
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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