AINOW Joins Since AI Hackathon 2026
By: Suad Seferi · Events & community · 2026-09-20 · 2 min read
AINOW Society joins Since AI Hackathon 2026 as a Community Partner for North Macedonia, connecting Western Balkan builders with the event in Turku, Finland.
Key takeaways
- AINOW Society is a Community Partner for North Macedonia at Since AI Hackathon 2026.
- The hackathon runs 6 to 8 November 2026 in Turku, Finland, with a €50,000 prize pool and more than 1,000 participants targeted.
- Participants get 72 hours to work on real challenges from companies and public-sector organisations, and can apply individually.
- Attendance is free; participants cover their own travel and accommodation, and visa invitation letters are available.
AINOW Society has joined Since AI Hackathon 2026 as a Community Partner for North Macedonia, helping connect local and regional builders, researchers, students and founders with the event in Turku, Finland.
The hackathon will take place from 6 to 8 November 2026 and will bring together participants working across artificial intelligence, software, data, robotics and product development.
Organised by Since AI, a Finnish student-led nonprofit AI ecosystem, the event is targeting more than 1,000 participants and includes a €50,000 cash prize pool.
Participants will have 72 hours to work on real challenges provided by companies and public-sector organisations.
Participation is free, and applicants can apply individually. No existing team or startup is required.
Industry challenges and partners
Participants will work on challenges connected to companies including Google for Developers, Bayer, Sandvik, Kongsberg and Valmet, bringing real industry problems into the 72-hour build.
Google and the LUMI supercomputing infrastructure will also provide compute resources for participants during the event.
Among the confirmed speakers is Jason Mayes, Web AI Lead at Google, who will join the event in Turku.
Since AI’s wider ecosystem also brings together technology companies, research organisations and investors internationally, creating opportunities for participants to connect beyond the hackathon itself.
Connecting the Western Balkans with wider AI communities
For AINOW Society, this collaboration is part of a broader effort to connect people from North Macedonia and the Western Balkans with international opportunities, communities and organisations working in artificial intelligence.
While AINOW is based in North Macedonia, our work increasingly extends across the wider Western Balkans through education, research, events and regional initiatives.
We see this collaboration with Since AI as a first step toward building stronger links between our communities and creating opportunities for future cooperation.
Participation from North Macedonia and the region
Applicants from North Macedonia and other Western Balkan countries are welcome to apply through the standard application process.
The hackathon itself is free to attend. Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs.
For accepted participants who require a visa, Since AI can provide an official invitation letter confirming their participation, event dates and location. Discounted accommodation options are also available through the organisers.
Travel and accommodation costs can be a significant barrier for students and early-stage builders from our region, but we encourage interested participants to explore the opportunity and apply.
Since AI Hackathon 2026
Dates: 6–8 November 2026
Location: Turku, Finland
Participation: Free
Prize pool: €50,000
Format: 72-hour hackathon
Applications are open to developers, students, researchers, founders and other builders interested in working on real-world challenges.
Apply here:
https://sinceai.app/events/since-ai-hackathon-2026
More information:
AINOW Society will continue to support opportunities that help connect the Western Balkans AI community with organisations, initiatives and networks across Europe and beyond.
Questions and answers
Who can apply?
Applicants from North Macedonia and other Western Balkan countries can apply through the standard application process. No existing team or startup is required.
Does it cost anything to take part?
The hackathon is free to attend. Participants pay for their own travel and accommodation, and the organisers offer discounted accommodation options.
Can participants get a visa invitation?
Yes. Since AI can provide an official invitation letter to accepted participants who need a visa, confirming their participation, the event dates and the location.
What is AINOW's role?
AINOW Society is a Community Partner for North Macedonia, connecting local and regional builders, researchers, students and founders with the event.
Sources
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