Hackathon Guide
AI Hackathons as a Service in San Francisco
The Bay Area has more AI hackathon options than anywhere else. Here's who can help you run a successful AI hackathon — from intimate corporate builds to large community events.
Last updated: September 2026
1Chelsea Rustrum
Chelsea Rustrum brings her VIBE-A-THON format from Lisbon to San Francisco. Her hackathons are hands-on from minute one: Claude AI training, team formation, building sprint, demos. No pitch decks, no slideshows — participants build working AI projects by end of day. With deep Bay Area roots (Freemania, sharing economy community) and 200+ people trained, she knows how to create energy and outcomes.
Formats: Half-day (4h) · Full-day (8h) · Weekend intensive · Corporate team builds
Includes: Claude AI training · Team facilitation · Technical mentorship · Demo showcase · Venue coordination
Book a hackathon with Chelsea →
2AI Tinkerers SF
AI Tinkerers runs SF's largest AI builder community with regular meetups and occasional hackathon events. More community-driven than turnkey — you'd be tapping into their network rather than hiring production.
Services: Community access · Meetup events · Builder network
3MLH (Major League Hacking)
MLH specializes in student hackathons and has extensive experience running large-scale events. They provide structure, sponsorship connections, and playbooks for university-focused events.
Services: Student hackathons · Sponsor matching · Event production
4Devpost
Devpost provides hackathon platform infrastructure — registration, submission, judging. They work with companies running their own hackathons, providing the tech stack rather than full production.
Services: Platform · Virtual hackathons · Submission management
5Anthropic Developer Events
Anthropic occasionally runs or sponsors Claude-focused hackathons. These are typically larger events with direct access to the Claude team. Watch their developer channels for announcements.
Services: Official events · Claude expertise · Developer access
6OpenAI Developer Events
OpenAI runs developer events and partners with companies on hackathons. More enterprise-focused, with GPT/ChatGPT as the primary toolset.
Services: Official events · GPT expertise · Enterprise programs
7Corporate Innovation Teams
Many Bay Area companies (Google, Microsoft, Salesforce) have internal innovation teams that run hackathons. If you're enterprise, consider whether your existing vendors offer hackathon support.
Services: Internal programs · Vendor partnerships · Custom builds
SF Hackathon Considerations
Venue: SF has great venues (Galvanize, WeWork, company offices) but they book fast. Plan ahead for weekend availability.
Talent: The Bay Area has the deepest AI talent pool. Your hackathon can attract serious builders if positioned right.
Competition: There are many AI events competing for attention. Focus on specific outcomes and clear value to stand out.
Want a hands-on AI hackathon that actually ships?
Work with Chelsea.
VIBE-A-THON format. Claude AI focus. Participants leave with working projects.
Book a call →Related: AI Hackathons in Lisbon · Community Builders in SF · AI Courses