Dhiraagu and SparkHub have announced the Maldives’ first-ever Generative AI Hackathon, marking a major milestone in the country’s rapidly evolving innovation and startup ecosystem.
Branded as GenAI Hack 2026, the initiative is designed to empower startups, entrepreneurs, and young innovators to build and publicly launch AI-driven products within an intensive 48-hour timeframe. The hackathon aims to demonstrate how generative artificial intelligence can dramatically compress development cycles, enabling teams to move from concept to a live, deployable product in just two days.
The event will run from 6 to 8 February 2026 and will bring together teams of three to five participants. Registration is limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Unlike conventional hackathons, GenAI Hack adopts an open-category format, requiring all solutions to be conceived and developed entirely during the event. The organisers have positioned originality and real-world application at the core of the competition, steering participants away from recycled ideas or pre-built concepts.
A defining feature of the hackathon is its uncompromising rule: “No shipping, no pitching.” Teams must publicly launch their product before the final judging stage. Judges will evaluate only fully functional, publicly accessible products, rather than slide decks or conceptual demonstrations.
Participants will receive hands-on support through curated AI-focused sessions led by experienced practitioners. Mentors with expertise in modern AI tools will guide teams across ideation, development, deployment, and launch, reflecting how founders globally are now using AI to bridge skill gaps and accelerate execution.
The hackathon is a joint initiative by Dhiraagu and SparkHub, with joining as a co-partner.
Mirshan Hassan, Director of Brand and Marketing Communications at Dhiraagu, said the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to practical AI adoption within the local innovation community.
“The rapid advancement of generative AI makes it increasingly important to actively engage communities in hands-on adoption of these technologies. This initiative reflects Dhiraagu’s commitment to equipping Maldivian innovators with the tools, skills, and confidence to build, experiment, and launch AI-driven solutions in real-world settings, while supporting community-led innovation,” he said.
From SparkHub’s perspective, CEO and co-founder noted that the hackathon mirrors a global shift in how startups are being built.
“Globally, founders are using AI to overcome skill gaps and dramatically accelerate product development. GenAI Hack was designed to reflect this shift by moving beyond conventional hackathons and placing emphasis on real product launches rather than conceptual demonstrations,” he said.
Organisers say GenAI Hack 2026 is expected to play a catalytic role in strengthening the Maldives’ startup ecosystem, encouraging experimentation, and positioning local innovators to compete in an increasingly AI-driven global economy.
