Venture 313 AI Buildathon (Sept 19–25, 2025) is Detroit's 7‑day hybrid AI hackathon during Mobility Tech Week. More than 100 innovators, engineers, and creatives will come together at Michigan Central and virtually to develop AI‑powered mobility solutions.

Compete for $17,500 in Grant Funding for Your Business!

Unlike traditional hackathons, this event focuses on:

  • Hands‑on AI learning support across three skill tracks (Beginner – Lovable, Developer – Cursor IDE, Expert – Cursor + MCP).
  • A real world learning project (SkyMarket): Learn how to prototype in AI by building SkyMarket, a drone marketplace you can have running in 24 hours
  • AI Skills for Career advancement: The learn & hack format lets you compete for money while improving your resume.

Daily Schedule (Hybrid)

  • Sept 19th, 2025 @ 5pm (Kickoff, In-person) – Opening ceremony @ TechTown Detroit
  • Sept 20th, 2025 @ 9am-9pm (Build Day, In-person) – Full day of workshops, mentors, open workspace for your team, and food and support.
  • Sept 21st, 2025 @ 10am-3pm (Build Day, In-person) – Half day of mentors and open workspace.
  • Sept 22nd, 2025 @ 3am (Online) – First round deadline for submissions
  • Sept 25th, 2025 @ 12:00 am (Online) – Final round submission deadline
  • Sept 25th, 2025 (Finale, In-person) – Demo presentations, judging, awards, and showcase.

This isn't just a hackathon — it's a pathway to Detroit's next generation of AI‑enabled innovators, backed by ID Ventures, Venture 313, and Tetroid's growing ecosystem of partners.

Requirements

Round 1 — Virtual Submission

(Due Mon 9/22/25 3:00 a.m. ET)

Submit on Devpost with the following:

Required
  • 🎥 Demo Video (≤5 min): Team intro + live product walkthrough (screen recording or camera). No slide‑only videos.
  • 🔗 Usable Project Link: Link to a functional prototype. If login is required, include test credentials. Include any instructions on how to use the prototype in your submission and demo.
  • 📜 Project Write‑up:
    • Product Name: One-sentence marketing tagline describing the product
    • Product Overview: One page description of the product, target user, market opportunity and how you will make money.
    • How it works: Overview of the tools used to build it, the tech stack built upon, and any technical aspects to be considered in judging
  • 💻 Code Access: Public repo link (or zip if required) with clear README and run steps.
  • 🤖 Responsible AI Disclosure: Models/services used, data sources & licenses, safety/ethics considerations.
Viewer's Choice Award Submission

While not required, teams can submit a 30-60 second commercial for their project. These submissions will be voted on by participants and judges for a viewer's choice award.

  • 📣 Marketing Video (30–60s): A commercial‑style spot promoting your product (eligible for Best Marketing Video).

Submission Checklist

  • Project title, elevator pitch, and screenshots/cover
  • Video URL, live URL, repo URL
  • Team members added on Devpost
  • Tech used / APIs and category/track
  • Credentials (if needed) in the "Testing Instructions" field

Round 2 — Finale

Devpost Submission Due Thursday 9/25/25 @ 12:00 am midnight 
Live Pitch (Required) Thursday 9/25/25 @ 5:00pm (Location to be announced)

Semi‑finalists announced Mon evening receive focused coaching. At the finale, each team delivers:

Format
  • 6‑minute VC‑style pitch & Demo (problem, solution, market, traction, GTM, differentiation)
  • Q&A at judges' discretion
Final Submission Requirements
  • Pitch deck (PDF or link) with a clear story and metrics
  • Updated demo link/credentials if changed since submission
Intellectual Property

 

All submitted projects code and IP remain the sole property of the participants, but participants grant a royalty free license to Venture 313 and WNCP AI for non-commercial private use of marketing, promotion and research.

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

$17,500 in prizes
1st - $10,000 in TechTown Business Grants
$10,000 in cash
1 winner

2nd - $5,000 in TechTown Business Grants
$5,000 in cash
1 winner

3rd - $2,000 in TechTown Business Grants
$2,000 in cash
1 winner

Viewers Choice - $500 from TechTown
$500 in cash
1 winner

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Stefon Crawford

Stefon Crawford
GM Ventures

Brandi Brown

Brandi Brown
Gilbert Family Foundation

Myka Burley

Myka Burley
Michigan Central

Derrick Kennedy

Derrick Kennedy
Just Air

Judging Criteria

  • Solving a User Need (50%)
    Clear pain/need, evidence or insight, solution addresses the need, tight problem‑solution fit.
  • Design & Usability (20%)
    Intuitive UX, accessibility, visual design quality, ease of task completion.
  • Technical Prowess (20%)
    Appropriate AI/ML use, stability/performance, code quality and basic security/privacy
  • Market & Viability (10%)
    Market potential, feasibility, go‑to‑market clarity, differentiation.

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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