MBZUAI has opened applications for a two-stage global hackathon built around K2 Think, its open-source reasoning system. Anyone from developers to high-school students can submit a one-page idea by 26 October 2025. Ten teams will then get travel support to Abu Dhabi for a 48-hour build from 7–9 November—and the winning concept gets shipped inside the K2 Think app.
What MBZUAI is running—and why it matters
A fast, two-stage format aimed at turning smart ideas into a working demo, with real distribution if you win.
- Global idea call: 14–26 October 2025
- In-person build: 7–9 November 2025, Abu Dhabi
- Top 10 teams get travel grants
- Winning idea goes into the K2 Think app
- Organised by MBZUAI’s Incubation and Entrepreneurship Center; K2 Think built with G42
The format is simple. You submit a one-page proposal showing what problem you’re solving and how K2 Think helps. Judges pick ten teams and fly them to Abu Dhabi for a 48-hour sprint on campus. At the end, someone walks away not just with bragging rights, but product distribution: MBZUAI says the winning concept will be integrated into the K2 Think app to reach users worldwide. It’s rare for a hackathon to ship the result as part of a real product.
Who can apply (it’s broad on purpose)
It’s not just PhDs. Founders, engineers, researchers—and even secondary/high-school students—are encouraged.
- Innovators, developers, researchers, founders
- Students from secondary and high schools
- Teams of up to four people
- Global participation (remote for Stage 1)
MBZUAI is casting a wide net to surface useful, deployable ideas. Teams can be as small as two or as large as four. The first stage happens online, so you don’t need to be in the UAE to compete; only finalists need to travel for the Abu Dhabi build weekend—and they get support to do so.
What your one-pager must include
Keep it crisp. Prove the user need, show how K2 Think adds value, and outline a demo.
- Problem statement and target users
- How you’ll use K2 Think
- Proposed demo or experience
- Potential global impact
- Apply at: https://hackathon.k2think.ai/
- Deadline: 26 October 2025
Treat this like a product spec, not a lab note. Define the user and the pain point. Explain why a reasoning engine—not a generic LLM—helps. Describe the demo you can build in two days. Finally, make the case for impact beyond a pitch deck. MBZUAI is clear on the basics and has kept the bar to entry low on purpose.
The Abu Dhabi sprint: what to expect
Two days on campus to turn your idea into a working demo, then pitch to judges.
- 48-hour in-person build at MBZUAI
- 7–9 November 2025 (Abu Dhabi)
- Travel grants for the top 10 teams
- Final pitch to a panel of experts
Finalists meet in Abu Dhabi for a tight sprint. Expect focused building, quick feedback, and a final pitch in front of experts. MBZUAI’s Institute of Foundation Models is involved, and the organiser is the university’s Incubation and Entrepreneurship Center, so the support network should be strong and practical.
Why K2 Think?
It’s engineered for advanced reasoning—maths, planning, and step-by-step problem solving.
- Built by MBZUAI’s Institute of Foundation Models with G42
- Designed for advanced mathematical reasoning
- Target sectors include science, finance, education, logistics
- Goal: real-world impact, not just benchmarks
In MBZUAI’s words, K2 Think is tuned to reason. The hackathon is a way to test that claim against messy, real problems—routing trucks, analysing datasets, tutoring students, or stress-testing trading rules. As Richard Morton puts it, the aim is to “push the limits” and ship ideas that are actually useful.
How to apply (and not get cut)
Submit at the link below. Keep it one page. Make it specific. Ship-ready beats shiny.
- Apply: https://hackathon.k2think.ai/
- One-page proposal only
- Clear use of K2 Think in the solution
- Show the demo you can build in 48 hours
- Deadline: 26 October 2025 (UAE time)
Don’t write an essay. Use headings and bullet points for scannability. Prioritise a narrow slice you can build in the sprint. If your idea depends on external data or APIs, note how you’ll access them. The judges are choosing ten teams; make it obvious why yours will be easy to test and ship.
What is the deadline to apply?
26 October 2025. It’s a one-page submission.
Who can enter?
Innovators, developers, researchers, founders, and students—even at secondary/high-school level. Teams can have up to four members.
Where is the final?
At MBZUAI in Abu Dhabi, during a 48-hour build from 7–9 November 2025.
