It already happened, in Al Qua'a.
A 36 hour community hackathon, June 2026.
The first edition of Tatweer Hackathon ran for 36 hours, 26 to 28 June 2026, in Al Qua'a, a town of fourteen thousand people. Teams competed for a 50,000 AED prize pool across five challenges built around one question: how does a small town claim its place in the digital world?
The venue was organised into four districts inspired by the traditional Freej, each with its own character, so the event felt less like a conference and more like a neighbourhood at work.
None of it happened alone. Abu Dhabi University stood as our academic partner, the backbone of judging and a source of participants. Athar+, an initiative by Ma'an, the Authority of Social Contribution, joined as our impact partner. UAE FPV brought the frontrunners of the drone world to a rural stage. The Maakum volunteering group carried the event on the ground, hour by hour. And Al Ain Municipality stood with the community throughout.
The record
| Registrations | 305 |
|---|---|
| Teams | 100 |
| Verified team members | 216 |
| NationalitiesNamed at registration, not counting Other. | 15 |
| Kiosks mapped | 49 |
| Community challenges submitted | 10 |
Our partners
- Abu Dhabi UniversityAcademic partner
- Athar+ by Ma'anImpact partner
- UAE FPVDrone showcase
- MaakumVolunteering
- Al Ain MunicipalityCommunity
Into incubation
Three projects stood out and moved into incubation. QAFD, a clinic kiosk with facial recognition and a bilingual voice assistant, built for the town's own health centre. Hisati and Study Buddy, each solving a problem their builders live with. They are the proof of the model: challenges from the community, solutions from the community, and a path that continues after the weekend ends.
The programme
As published to participants before the event.
Day 1
Opening Day
- Opening ceremony
- Hackathon track announced and the core challenge revealed
- Hackathon begins and teams work remotely as the 36 hour clock starts
- Souq / market opens to public
- Guest speakers on digital infrastructure trends and community innovation
- Media interviews and coverage
Day 2
Event Day
- Hackathon continues remotely
- Souq / market and attractions continue
- Guest speakers and entertainment
- Media coverage continues
Day 3
Demo Day and Awards
- Top 10 teams present their projects at the venue
- Hackathon judging
- Vendor awards judging
- Award ceremony for both hackathon and vendor tracks
- Closing remarks
How projects were judged
As published to participants before the event.
Hackathon Judging Criteria
- Feasibility of implementation
- Accessibility to the communities
- Uniqueness of the idea
- Time to impact on the community
- Popularity among the demo audience
Souq / Market Vendor Awards
- Creativity and uniqueness of concept
- Customer service
- Brand identity and presentation
Questions answered before the event
As published to participants before the event.
Is participation free?
Yes, there is no entry fee for hackathon participants.
Do I need a team to register interest?
No. Register your interest individually, then head to the Teams page to create a team or register solo. Teams can have up to 5 members including the leader. There is no minimum and no nationality requirement.
How does forming a team work?
On the Teams page, the leader names the team and invites teammates by email. Each teammate gets their own magic link and verifies their address. Only verified members count toward the team, and a team can have up to 5 people.
What should I bring?
Your laptop, charger, and any equipment you need. Wi-Fi and power will be provided.
Is there food?
Food vendors will be operating in the Souq market area during the event.
Where is Al Qua'a?
Al Qua'a is in the Al Ain region. Directions and transport details will be shared with registered participants.
What are the event hours?
4:00 PM to 1:00 AM daily.
Can the public attend?
The Souq market and entertainment sections are open to the public. The hackathon workspace is restricted to participants, media, and organizers.
What happens to my project?
All hackathon submissions are open-sourced. You retain ownership of your work.
Is this final registration?
No, this is a registration of interest only. Only those who register their interest now will be eligible for final registration when team check-in is announced.
Will there be ID checks?
Yes, ID checks will be conducted on the day the hackathon commences to verify team composition.