The Solana blockchain is making a bold leap into the future of decentralized innovation with its first-ever global AI hackathon. Backed by over $185,000 in prize money, this high-stakes event invites developers, builders, and AI enthusiasts to create next-generation AI agents on Solana, merging the speed and scalability of one of the fastest blockchains with the transformative power of artificial intelligence.
Hosted in collaboration with Send AI, a leading platform for AI agent development, the hackathon is structured around six specialized tracks. Each track targets a unique application of AI within the Solana ecosystem, encouraging participants to push the boundaries of what’s possible in decentralized finance, infrastructure, and user interaction.
Why This Hackathon Matters
Solana’s move to integrate AI into its developer ecosystem reflects a growing trend in Web3: the convergence of blockchain and intelligent systems. As blockchain networks evolve beyond simple transaction layers, they’re increasingly becoming platforms for autonomous agents—AI-powered programs that can execute tasks, make decisions, and interact with decentralized applications (dApps) without human intervention.
This hackathon isn’t just about building tools—it’s about shaping the future of how users interact with blockchain. By incentivizing innovation through substantial rewards and expert support, Solana is positioning itself at the forefront of the AI x blockchain revolution.
Hackathon Tracks and Prize Breakdown
The competition is divided into six distinct categories, each sponsored by key players in the Solana ecosystem. This structure ensures diversity in innovation while addressing real-world use cases across DeFi, trading, infrastructure, and user experience.
1. Best Overall AI Agent (Sponsored by ai16z & Solana Foundation)
This flagship track rewards the most innovative and functional AI agent built on Solana. The top three winners will receive:
- 1st Place: $30,000
- 2nd Place: $20,000
- 3rd Place: $10,000
Judges will evaluate entries based on technical sophistication, usability, originality, and potential impact on the Solana ecosystem.
2. AI Agent Infrastructure (Sponsored by Kuzco)
A foundational track focused on building the underlying frameworks that power AI agents. Winners will develop scalable, secure, and efficient infrastructure solutions that enable future AI applications on Solana.
Prizes:
- 1st Place: $15,000
- 2nd Place: $7,500
- 3rd Place: $5,000
This track is ideal for developers interested in protocol-level innovation and long-term ecosystem growth.
3. DeFi Agents (Sponsored by Adrena Protocol)
Decentralized finance continues to be a core strength of Solana. This track challenges participants to build AI agents that can autonomously manage DeFi positions—such as yield optimization, risk assessment, or cross-protocol portfolio rebalancing.
Imagine an AI bot that monitors liquidity pools across Raydium and Orca, automatically shifting funds to maximize returns while minimizing impermanent loss—all without user input.
4. Agent Token Tooling (Sponsored by Meteora)
Focused on tokenomics and launch infrastructure, this track invites builders to create tools that empower AI agents to manage token liquidity, launch new projects, or automate market-making strategies using dynamic pools and algorithmic pricing models.
Successful submissions could redefine how new tokens enter the market—making launches more efficient, transparent, and accessible.
5. Trading Agents (Sponsored by Paladin)
In the fast-moving world of crypto trading, milliseconds matter. This track encourages developers to design AI-driven trading bots capable of executing spot trades based on real-time data analysis, sentiment tracking, or predictive modeling—all running natively on Solana.
With Solana’s sub-second finality, these agents could outperform traditional systems in speed and cost-efficiency.
6. Autonomous Chat Agents (Sponsored by Assisterr)
User experience meets AI in this innovative category. Builders are tasked with creating conversational AI agents that can assist users in navigating Solana dApps—answering questions, guiding transactions, or even executing commands via natural language.
Think of it as a decentralized ChatGPT for Web3: a chatbot that doesn’t just inform but acts on your behalf within wallets, exchanges, and social platforms.
Participation Details
The hackathon is open to individual developers or teams of up to five members from around the world. Whether you're a solo coder or part of a distributed team, you’re invited to contribute to the evolution of intelligent blockchain applications.
Key Dates
- Registration Open Now
- Submissions Due: December 15
- Winners Announced: Shortly after submission deadline
Participants will gain access to:
- Expert mentorship from Send AI and sponsor teams
- Idea boards and technical resources
- Networking opportunities through pop-up events (both virtual and in-person)
No prior experience with AI agents is required—just creativity, technical skill, and a passion for building the future of decentralized intelligence.
Core Keywords Driving Innovation
To align with search intent and enhance discoverability, here are the core keywords naturally integrated throughout this article:
- AI agents on Solana
- Solana AI hackathon
- blockchain and artificial intelligence
- decentralized AI applications
- Web3 developer competition
- AI-powered DeFi tools
- autonomous trading bots
- Solana blockchain innovation
These terms reflect both user interest and industry trends, ensuring the content resonates with developers, investors, and tech enthusiasts alike.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Who can participate in the Solana AI hackathon?
A: The event is open to developers worldwide—whether you're an individual coder or part of a team (up to five members). There are no geographic restrictions or formal qualifications required.
Q: Do I need prior experience with AI or Solana to join?
A: While familiarity with blockchain development or machine learning is helpful, it's not mandatory. Resources and mentorship will be provided to help teams get started with building AI agents on Solana.
Q: What kind of projects are eligible?
A: Projects must involve AI agents running on or interacting with the Solana blockchain. This includes DeFi automation tools, trading bots, chat assistants, infrastructure frameworks, and token management systems.
Q: How are winners selected?
A: Submissions will be judged based on innovation, technical execution, usability, scalability, and potential impact on the Solana ecosystem. Each track has its own panel of expert reviewers from sponsoring organizations.
Q: Are there non-monetary benefits for participants?
A: Yes! Beyond cash prizes, participants gain visibility within the Solana community, access to industry mentors, potential investment opportunities, and eligibility for follow-up grants or incubation programs.
Q: Where can I register or learn more?
A: Official registration and detailed guidelines are available through the Send AI platform. Participants are encouraged to join community channels for updates and collaboration.
Final Thoughts
The Solana AI hackathon represents more than just a competition—it’s a catalyst for transformation. As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in digital systems, blockchains like Solana offer the ideal environment for secure, scalable, and decentralized AI applications.
By empowering developers to build intelligent agents that operate autonomously across finance, communication, and infrastructure layers, Solana is laying the groundwork for a truly smart Web3 ecosystem.
For innovators ready to make their mark, this is more than an opportunity—it’s a launchpad. With substantial prizes, strong community support, and real-world applicability, now is the time to explore what’s possible when AI meets high-performance blockchain.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this groundbreaking initiative. The future of decentralized intelligence starts here—and it’s being built on Solana.