Build AI apps, agents, inference APIs, and creative GPU workflows with affordable cloud GPUs from GPU.ai. Bring your idea, and we'll bring the GPUs.
Applications reviewed · only 50 teams accepted
GPUs are the engine behind modern AI: agents, inference APIs, image and video generation, fine-tuning, and the next generation of AI-native products. But for too many builders, access is still slow, expensive, and frustrating.
The best AI products are built by people who move fast, test quickly, and iterate constantly. Cloud quotas, overpriced instances, and confusing setup all get in the way of shipping.
We built GPU.ai to make powerful compute cheaper and easier to reach. The Buildathon is our way of putting that infrastructure directly into the hands of builders, and seeing what they create.
The Buildathon is intentionally broad. If it makes creative use of cloud GPUs, it counts. Some directions to spark ideas:
Autonomous agents built on open-source models.
vLLM-powered endpoints serving Llama, Qwen, or DeepSeek.
ComfyUI, Flux, and Stable Diffusion generation workflows.
Fine-tuned open models for a specific domain.
Tooling that makes AI engineers faster.
ML experiments and reproducible research demos.
Model benchmarking and evaluation suites.
Open-source GPU deployment templates for the community.
Voice, image, video, and multimodal applications.
You don't need to build something massive. A well-executed project with a clear demo can be just as compelling as a technically complex one.
Solo or as a team. If you've ever wanted to build something GPU-intensive but hesitated because compute was too expensive, this is the time to start.
A guaranteed $1,000 grand prize for the best overall project, plus $100 prizes across different categories. Winning projects also get featured by GPU.ai.
Awarded to the single most impressive project of the Buildathon. Guaranteed: top projects win, no strings.
Fill out the application with your team, your idea, and your socials. We accept up to 50 teams.
Once you're approved, receive GPU credits, starter templates, and guidance to get running fast.
Use GPU.ai in a meaningful way: deploy an inference endpoint, run a fine-tune, host a workflow, or benchmark models.
Ship a working demo before the deadline with a short write-up of how GPU.ai was used.
Due Aug 24 · 8:00 AM PT
Still curious? Register and we'll send everything you need to get started.
Anyone building with AI: developers, founders, researchers, students, and AI hackers. You can apply solo or as a team.
We accept up to 50 teams this round. Every application is reviewed, so apply early to lock in your spot.
Nothing to apply. Approved teams get GPU credits to build with, plus starter templates and guidance.
Yes. Projects should use GPU.ai in a meaningful way. That could mean deploying an inference endpoint, running a fine-tuning job, hosting a creative workflow, benchmarking models, or building an app that depends on GPU compute.
A short description, a demo video or live demo, a GitHub repo or project page if you have one, a note on how GPU.ai was used, and any setup instructions. Submissions are due August 24 at 8:00 AM PT.
Fill out the application form on this page and share your team's socials so we can review. We accept up to 50 teams; if you're in, we'll send your free GPU credits and everything you need to get started.
No. A useful, well-executed project with a clear demo can be just as compelling as a technically complex one. Build something real, deploy it, and show what's possible.
The GPU.ai Buildathon kicks off August 22, 2026. Apply now, and if you are one of the 50 teams, grab your GPU credits and start building.
Only 50 teams will be accepted. Tell us who is on your team, what you want to build, and share your socials so we can review. Approved teams get free GPU credits and everything they need to start.
Get approved and we will load your account with free GPU.ai credits to build, deploy, and demo your project on.