Find answers to common questions about the AI Builder Challenge
Yes. Registration is free, so taking part is never pay-to-play.
The challenge is presented with support from ReconArt and Creative Robot, the innovation lab and venture studio of ReconArt.
Yes. Anyone in the world can register. The competition runs fully online with remote submissions, so your time zone and passport are not barriers.
The challenge is open to individuals or small teams (max 3 people) from anywhere in the world. You must be 16 years or older to participate.
No, the product must be built from scratch during the competition period (April 2026 - December 1, 2026). Existing products or derivatives are not eligible.
Yes. You can enter on your own or as a team of up to three people.
No. Individuals and teams up to three can enter without prior incorporation or venture backing—focus on shipping, selling, and documenting your journey.
You do. Intellectual property remains with the builder.
You can use any AI tool you want: ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Midjourney, Runway, v0, or any other AI platform. The choice is yours. We only require that AI tools are used in at least one stage of development.
No, but AI tools must be used meaningfully in at least one stage (ideation, design, development, marketing, or sales). We value strategic use of AI over forcing it into every aspect.
You need to submit: (1) Product description and link, (2) Proof of revenue from paying customers, (3) Documentation of your build process, (4) Which AI tools you used and how, (5) Obstacles faced and lessons learned, (6) Preferred educational institution for donation.
Any amount of revenue from at least one paying customer qualifies. Even €1 counts. We value proof of commercial viability over revenue size. Free trials or free users do not count.
Acceptable proof includes: payment processor screenshots (Stripe, PayPal, etc.), invoices, bank transaction records, or customer testimonials confirming payment. Make sure to redact sensitive information.
All projects must be submitted by December 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM. The product itself must be built between April 2026 and that date.
Someone who actually pays for your product. Any amount qualifies—even €1—but free trials and free users do not count. You need proof of the payment, such as an invoice or a payment processor screenshot.
Projects are evaluated on four criteria: Revenue & Commercial Viability (70%), Problem-Solution Fit (10%), AI Utilization (10%), and Story & Documentation (10%). A panel of judges will review all submissions.
After submissions close on December 1, 2026, judging runs in early December. Results are announced in mid December 2026 at a special event for all participants. The winner collects the cash prize on stage, shares the story of their journey, and receives a custom 3D-printed award. Top finalists may be contacted ahead of time with event details.
Revenue carries the most weight: 70% of the score. Judges reward defensible revenue, viability signals, creative AI leverage, and the clarity of your narrative. A modest but real customer beats a slick deck with zero payments.
The winner chooses an educational institution (school, university, or educational non-profit) to receive a €1,000 donation. We handle the donation directly and provide confirmation to both the winner and the institution.
Only the top 5 builders will have their full case studies featured and published between January and February 2027. However, we may highlight interesting submissions in our blog and social media.
The winner receives €1,000 in cash and a custom 3D-printed award at the results event, and chooses an educational institution to receive a further €1,000 donation.