GDG Markham Community AI Hackathon 2026

Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Time: 8:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
Location: 88 Doncaster Ave. Thornhill, ON L3T 1L3
Format: In-person, one-day hackathon
Expected attendance: 60–100 participants
Team size: 3–5 people per team

Build technology solutions for challenges that matter to Markham

Join GDG Markham for a one-day community hackathon that brings residents, youth, developers, designers, students, product thinkers and technology enthusiasts together to address real challenges affecting our city.

The event will begin with short reverse pitches from Markham residents and community representatives. Each speaker will have one minute to describe an issue, concern or opportunity they would like builders to explore.

Participants will then choose a challenge, form a multidisciplinary team and spend the day creating a working technology prototype with support from experienced mentors.

You do not need to arrive with an idea or a team. Individual participants are welcome, and organizers will facilitate team formation at the event.

Who should attend

This event is for:

• Software developers and engineers

• Students and youth

• Designers and user experience professionals

• Product managers and entrepreneurs

• AI and cloud technology enthusiasts

• Researchers, storytellers and community advocates

• First-time hackathon participants

• Markham residents with community challenges to share

You do not need to be an advanced programmer. Successful teams also need people who can research problems, understand users, design experiences, test ideas and present solutions.

Three ways to participate

Community pitch speaker

Share a one-minute reverse pitch about an issue, concern or opportunity you would like builders to address in Markham.

Your pitch should explain:

• What the problem is

• Who it affects

• Why it matters to Markham

You do not need to propose a technical solution or join a build team.

A maximum of 12 community pitch speakers will be selected.

Technology co-builder

Work side by side with youth, residents and other participants to turn a selected challenge into a working prototype.

We are seeking approximately 12 technology enthusiasts with experience or interest in areas such as AI, web development, mobile development, cloud technology, design or product development.

Team participant

Join a multidisciplinary project team and contribute through development, design, research, testing, product thinking, storytelling or presentation.

Approximately 10–20 additional participant spaces will be available. Beginners and first-time hackathon participants are welcome.

Technology

Teams may use technologies such as:

• Gemini and Google AI Studio

• Firebase

• Flutter

• Android

• Google Cloud

• Google Maps Platform

• Other complementary development and design tools

Participants may use other technologies alongside Google products. The Best Use of Google Technology award will require meaningful use of at least one Google technology.

Proposed schedule

8:30–9:15 a.m. — Registration and breakfast
9:15–10:00 a.m. — Welcome, orientation and technology introduction
10:00–10:45 a.m. — Community reverse pitches and team formation
10:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m. — Building session and mentor support
12:30–1:15 p.m. — Lunch
1:15–4:00 p.m. — Building, testing and project submission
4:15–5:30 p.m. — Project demonstrations and judging
5:30–6:00 p.m. — Awards and closing
6:00–6:30 p.m. — Networking

The schedule may be adjusted slightly before the event.

Awards

Projects will be considered for five award categories:

• Best Overall Project

• Best Use of Google Technology

• Best Community Impact

• Best Beginner Team

• People’s Choice Award

Projects will be evaluated on problem relevance, community impact, technical implementation, innovation, user experience and presentation.

What participants will gain

Participants will have an opportunity to:

• Build a practical portfolio project

• Apply AI and Google technologies to a real problem

• Learn directly from experienced mentors

• Collaborate with people from different backgrounds

• Meet members of Markham’s technology community

• Practise product development and presentation skills

• Receive feedback from judges and community representatives

• Continue promising projects after the hackathon

What to bring

Please bring:

• A laptop and charger

• Any adapters or accessories you require

• A reusable water bottle

• Your ideas, experience and willingness to collaborate

Meals and refreshments are planned for the event. Registered participants will be asked to provide dietary and accessibility requirements.

Project rules

• New project work should be completed during the hackathon.

• Public libraries, APIs, templates and open-source tools may be used.

• Teams must disclose substantial pre-existing work and significant use of generative AI.

• Teams must have the right to use all submitted code, data, images and other materials.

• Participants must follow the event code of conduct.

• Teams retain ownership of their work.

• Every team member must make a meaningful contribution.

• Final projects must be submitted before the announced deadline.

Registration

Space is limited, and registration is required.

Please indicate during registration whether you would like to participate as:

1. A community pitch speaker

2. A technology co-builder

3. A general team participant

4. A mentor, judge or volunteer

Applicants selected as community pitch speakers will receive guidance before the event. Participants without teams will receive team-formation support.

Additional venue, accessibility and arrival information will be shared with confirmed participants.

GDG Markham is an independent, community-led Google Developer Group. Our activities and views should not be attributed to Google.