GDG × OpenxAI Hack Node Australia

Unleash your genius at Hack Node Australia, where Aussie tech enthusiasts can build revolutionary apps in AI, Web3, gaming, and beyond! Top teams and winners earn massive recognition, a chance at a $100,000 USD prize pool in the Global Accelerator Program, and exclusive internship and job opportunities (like Junior Software Engineer, Junior AI Web App Developer, and Junior AI Engineer). The ultimate winner will also secure a coveted month-long incubation in vibrant Dubai. 🇦🇪

About the Hack 💻

A precursor to the OpenxAI Global AI Accelerator 2025, the Australian Hack Node runs until August 11, 2025, and invites USYD students to build innovative AI applications, learn from industry experts (including from companies Microsoft and NVIDIA), and compete for over $8,500 AUD in prizes. Top projects may be eligible to join the Global Accelerator, offering a $100,000 USD prize pool and a one-month incubation in Dubai.

Winning projects will also be featured on the Upcoming OpenxAI App Store, offering global visibility and capacity to monetise. The hackathon aims to onboard 1,000 developers and achieve 100–200 unique app submissions. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced coder, this competition will provide all you need to succeed, with mentorship, community support, and access to cutting-edge AI infrastructure.

The Australian Hack Node is specifically designed for Australian students (and recent graduates) to join and create an AI app (with vibe coding being allowed and endorsed). Students can participate as a team or solo to win:

• $8,500 AUD total cash prizes

• Xnode One Hardware (valued at $3,500 AUD)

• Career opportunities with OpenxAI as Junior AI Engineer, Junior AI Web Developer, Junior Software Developer, various internships and more.

• Escalated opportunity to qualify for the OpenxAI Global Accelerator and a chance to secure $100K USD investment and 1 month in Dubai to meet and learn from the investors and mentors in person.

Students in the Faculty of Engineering who submit complete submissions will also stand to earn 25 Automatic PEP hours.

How to get involved 👀

• Join OpenxAI's Discord channel to learn more and engage with mentors and engineers:

• Sign up for the Australian Hack-Node and start working on your app.

• Sign up for Orientation and free online lectures and workshops.

Steps to compete 🪜

Step 1: Sign Up

• Sign ups are open until August 11, 2025 (project submission close date)

• Visit the Official Landing Page (https://accelerator.openxai.org/ ) and complete the sign up form. Add hashtag #gdg during your sign-up.

• After signing up, you’ll receive email updates with next steps, event invites, and resources.

Step 2: Join Our Orientation

• Dates: August 4, 2025

• Register at our Discord server or https://lu.ma/openxai

Step 3: Choose Your Track

Select one of the 9 exciting tracks that align with your interests and skills. Each track focuses on a unique application of AI:

Tracks

Textstream

• Build AI apps that transform text, such as chatbots, article generators, or document summarisers.

Soundwave

• Develop audio-driven AI solutions, including voice assistants and speech-to-text tools.

Gamejam

• Create AI-enhanced games or tools with smart NPCs or dynamic game worlds.

Vision

• Build AI apps for image recognition, object detection, or video analysis.

Enviro

• Develop AI solutions for environmental challenges, like climate modelling or wildlife tracking.

HealthTech

• Innovate in healthcare with AI for medical image analysis or disease prediction.

FinTech

• Build AI tools for finance, such as fraud detectors or predictive market analysers.

LearnAI

• Develop AI-powered educational tools, such as personalised tutors or automated grading systems.

Social Network

• Build AI apps to enhance social interactions with more intelligent recommendations or content curation.

Step 4: Start Building

• Date: July 25, 2025 onwards

• Begin working on your project, either independently or as part of a team. Teams are encouraged but not required.

• Post your project idea in the Discord forum (#app-showcase) to get feedback from mentors and peers, ensuring alignment with the hackathon’s scope and Australian Hack Node KPIs.

Step 5: Set Up Your Development Environment

• Clone the OpenxAI Accelerator App Submissions Repository.

• Create a new branch:
  git checkout -b your-project-name
  (replace your-project-name with a short, unique name).

• Follow the README instructions for setup, using NextJS, Python, and tools such as Nix, Ollama, and Cursor AI.

• Use your preferred code editor or vibe coding platform to start building.

Step 6: Build and Test Your App

• Develop your AI application based on your chosen track and idea.

• Test your app locally to ensure it runs smoothly and is demo-ready.

• Use resources like the GitHub repo’s vibe code, app demo code, and five provided demo apps for inspiration.

Step 7: Submit Your App

• July 25 – August 12, 2025

• Finalise your project to ensure it runs locally and is ready for the demo.

• Add hashtag #gdg in your submission and README.md

• Record a demo video (2-5 minutes) showcasing your app’s functionality and explaining why it should win. Use tools like OBS, QuickTime, or Loom.

• Upload the video as an unlisted YouTube video (or TikTok/Instagram if preferred) and add the link to your own project’s README.md.

• Finalise the submission on Github, and then provide all the links and submit it via BlockseBlock page.

Step 8: Judging and Winning

• Judges will review submissions based on innovation, technical quality, user experience, and the impact of the submission.

• Ensure your submission meets all requirements to avoid disqualification.

• Winners will be announced on Discord, Hack Node Page, and Social Media channels on August 15, 2025.