HackerRank is conducting Orchestrate – September Edition, a 24-hour hackathon focused on designing, building, and shipping an AI agent. Participants will receive a real-world challenge and will have 24 hours to develop an agent-based solution.
The hackathon gives developers an opportunity to work with AI tools, demonstrate their technical skills, and compete for cash prizes, industry opportunities, expert interactions, and other rewards.
Hackathon 2026
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Platform | HackerRank |
| Hackathon | Orchestrate – September Edition |
| Event Type | 24-Hour Hackathon |
| Focus | AI Agents |
| Challenge Starts | September 12, 2026, at 6:00 PM IST |
| Duration | 24 Hours |
| AI Judge Interview | After submission |
| Live Evaluation | September 15–18, 2026 |
| Results | September 18, 2026 |
| Participation | As per official event eligibility |
| Registration | Online |
How HackerRank Orchestrate Works
Get the Challenge
The challenge will be sent to participants by email at 6:00 PM IST on September 12, 2026. The challenge will involve solving a real-world problem using an agent-based solution.
Build and Submit
Participants can use the development tools and IDEs they prefer, including Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, or other tools.
Participants need to submit their:
- Code
- Agent output
- AI chat transcript
Face the AI Judge
After submitting the solution, participants will take part in a 30-minute voice interview with an AI judge. Participants will need to explain their architecture, decisions, and technical trade-offs.
Timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Challenge Starts | September 12, 2026 – 6:00 PM IST |
| Challenge Duration | 24 Hours |
| AI Judge Interview | Opens immediately after submission |
| Live Evaluation | September 15–18, 2026 |
| Results Announced | September 18, 2026 |
Rewards
The September edition of HackerRank Orchestrate offers rewards for top-performing participants.
1st Place
The first-place winner will receive:
- $1,200 cash prize
- Opportunities with leading technology companies
- One-on-one interaction with top industry experts
- Exclusive HackerRank merchandise
2nd–5th Place
Participants finishing from second to fifth place will receive:
- $300 cash prize
- Opportunities with leading technology companies
- Exclusive HackerRank merchandise
Codex Credits
The top three winners who build with Codex can receive:
- 1st Place: $10,000 Codex Credits
- 2nd Place: $7,500 Codex Credits
- 3rd Place: $5,000 Codex Credits
Rewards for All Participants
Every participant will receive 10 HackerRank AI Mock Interview Credits.
Tools You Can Use
Participants can use the tools and development environments they are comfortable with. The event specifically mentions tools such as:
- Claude Code
- Cursor
- Codex
- Other preferred development tools
Who Should Participate?
This hackathon can be a valuable opportunity for developers and AI enthusiasts who want to demonstrate their ability to build practical AI agent solutions.
Participants can use the event to showcase:
- AI development skills
- Agent-building capabilities
- Problem-solving skills
- System design and architecture
- Technical decision-making
- Ability to work under time constraints
How to Register
Interested participants can register online through the official HackerRank Orchestrate registration page.
Registration Link : Click Here
Steps to Register
- Visit the HackerRank Orchestrate September Edition page.
- Click on Register Now.
- Complete the registration process.
- Keep an eye on your email for the challenge.
- Join the hackathon at 6:00 PM IST on September 12, 2026.
- Build and submit your AI agent within the 24-hour challenge period.
Important Dates
The hackathon begins on September 12, 2026, at 6:00 PM IST and runs for 24 hours. The AI judge interview opens immediately after submission. Live evaluation is scheduled from September 15 to September 18, 2026, with results announced on September 18, 2026.
Final Summary
HackerRank Orchestrate – September Edition is a 24-hour AI hackathon where participants will design, build, and ship an AI agent to solve a real-world challenge. Participants can use tools such as Claude Code, Cursor, and Codex and will explain their solution during a 30-minute AI judge interview.
The 1st-place winner gets $1,200, while 2nd–5th place winners receive $300 each. Additional Codex Credits are available for the top three Codex-based projects, and all participants receive 10 HackerRank AI Mock Interview Credits.
The challenge starts on September 12, 2026, at 6:00 PM IST. Interested participants can register online through HackerRank.