Gemini XPRIZE opens $2M hackathon

XPRIZE and Google launched the Build with Gemini XPRIZE on May 19 at Google I/O, opening a $2 million global hackathon for teams building AI-powered businesses with Gemini and Google Cloud tools. The competition is structured as a 90-day build window rather than a weekend sprint, according to XPRIZE. Organizers said teams must ship a working business, acquire users and generate revenue before judging. XPRIZE said the competition is backed by Google and uses Google’s AI stack, including Gemini and cloud products such as Cloud Run. ### How is this different from a normal hackathon? The Build with Gemini XPRIZE requires entrants to launch what XPRIZE describes as a “real business” during the competition window. XPRIZE said projections alone will not be enough to win, and that teams must show real users and real revenue by the time submissions are reviewed. (xprize.org) The 90-day format runs from May 19 through Aug. 17, 2026, according to XPRIZE’s announcement. That timeline puts the emphasis on execution, customer acquisition and operating an AI-native product, rather than on a prototype demo assembled over a few days. ### What do teams have to build with? (xprize.org) Google’s tools are built into the contest rules. XPRIZE said participants are expected to use Gemini and Google’s broader AI stack, naming Google AI Studio, Google Antigravity, Cloud Run, Stitch and Flow in the launch announcement. The contest site says builders are competing to “build with Gemini” and “ship products that impact the world.” XPRIZE framed the event as a way for developers to move from idea to production inside one build window. (xprize.org) ### How much money is on the table? The prize pool totals $2 million. XPRIZE said the grand-prize winner will receive $500,000, second place will receive $200,000, and teams finishing third through fifth will each receive $100,000. (xprize.org) Fifteen runner-up prizes of $50,000 each are also available, along with five category prizes of $50,000 each. (xprize.devpost.com) XPRIZE said each project is eligible for a maximum of one prize. ### Which categories are organizers targeting? XPRIZE listed five categories for submissions: Education & Human Potential, Entrepreneurship & Job Creation, Small Business Services, Money & Financial Access, and Professional Services Access. (xprize.org) Those categories indicate the contest is aimed at applied products tied to work, services and access rather than general-purpose demos. Peter Diamandis, founder and executive chairman of XPRIZE, said in the launch announcement that software historically required an engineering team and that AI has lowered that barrier. Anousheh Ansari, XPRIZE’s chief executive, said the competition is intended to widen access to AI tools so more people can turn ideas into products. (xprize.org) ### How will winners be chosen? XPRIZE said submissions will be judged on three equally weighted criteria: business viability, AI-native operations and category impact. Hacker Fund will oversee screening and verification before an expert panel selects five finalists, according to the announcement. (xprize.org) The next dates are fixed. XPRIZE said the build period ends on Aug. 17, 2026, and five finalists will compete live in Los Angeles on Sept. 25, 2026. (xprize.org)