Build together
Software, hardware and design working as one.
1 Oct 2026 — 4 Oct 2026Build what watches
Build what watches
over life.
Three days of focused co-creation across artificial intelligence, health, robotics, accessibility and digital trust.
Doors open in
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- Days
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- Hrs
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Live build signalActive
SAVANNA—01
72
Hours to build
Multi-system safety network
- Personal Health MonitoringReady
- Mobility and AccessReady
- Social ImpactReady
- AI and RoboticsReady
/Personal Health Monitoring/Mobility and Access/Social Impact/AI and Robotics/Application of AI in Robotics/Cybersecurity & Digital Trust
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- Challenge tracks
- KES 4.6M+
- Cash & prizes
- 72h
- Build window
- 150
- Available seats
01 / Date & venue
Oct1— 4
Reliance Center, Nairobi.
Three focused days surrounded by builders, mentors and partners who can help a promising idea move.
Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya
-1.2667° · 36.8000°
02 / Why we build
Technology works best when it feels human.
AI for Health: Building technology that watches over life. TechSavanna brings developers, designers, data scientists, hardware engineers and security analysts together to build practical solutions.
We are looking for useful prototypes, not pitch decks. Start with a real need, build with your community and leave with something worth continuing.
Build for here
Real needs, local context and measurable human value.
Build to ship
A working MVP and live demo by the final bell.
03 / Choose your challenge
Pick a problem worth solving.
Every track rewards real impact, thoughtful craft and a working demonstration. Choose one signal and follow it all the way to a human outcome.
01
AI/ML · Web or mobile
Personal Health Monitoring
Build connected health and environmental systems that turn raw signals into early action.
02
AI/ML · Web or mobile
Mobility and Access
Make navigation, transport and public spaces safer and more independent for everyone.
03
AI/ML · Web or mobile
Social Impact
Coordinate communities and public resources through accessible, scalable digital products.
04
AI/ML · Web or mobile
AI and Robotics
Create intelligent mapping, planning and control for physical or simulated robots.
05
AI/ML · Web or mobile
Application of AI in Robotics
Bring vision, voice and language intelligence into useful robotic systems.
06
AI/ML · Web or mobile
Cybersecurity & Digital Trust
Protect people and platforms with verification, scanning and secure access systems.
04 / The build window
Ignite. Build. Ship.
A deliberately simple rhythm: understand the problem, build the thing, then show the room what it can do.
01
Day 01
1 Oct 2026
Ignite
- 08:00Check-in, badges and workspace setup
- 08:45Welcome coffee and team mixer
- 09:30Opening ceremony
- 10:30Track briefings with challenge owners
- 12:00Lunch and networking
- 13:30Problem-framing workshop
- 15:00Build begins
- 18:00Mentor office hours
- 20:00Evening stand-up and dinner
02
Day 02
2 Oct 2026
Build
- 08:30Breakfast and workspace open
- 09:00Team stand-up
- 10:00Technical clinics and API labs
- 12:00Mentor rounds
- 13:00Lunch
- 15:00Hardware and robotics lab
- 17:00Wellness break
- 18:00Midpoint demos
- 20:30Late-night build and snacks
03
Day 03
3 Oct 2026
Ship
- 08:30Breakfast and final-day briefing
- 09:00Final sprint
- 11:00Submission clinic
- 14:00Submission freeze
- 15:00Judges briefing
- 16:00Track demonstrations
- 17:00Finalist showcase
- 18:30Awards and closing
- 19:30Community reception
05 / Rewarding real impact
KES 4.6M+ and a way forward.
Cash is only the start. Top teams unlock hardware, incubation, mentorship and meaningful career conversations.
Grand prize
Overall Winner
KES 200,000
The strongest project across all six tracks.
- 12-month incubation
- Developer laptops
- Career opportunities
Place 02
1st Runner-Up
KES 100,000
Second place overall.
- 6-month incubation
- Developer laptops
- Mentorship
Place 03
2nd Runner-Up
KES 60,000
Third place overall.
- 3-month incubation
- Hardware kits
- Mentorship
06 / Rules & judging
One scoring model.
Zero surprises.
Teams of 2–5. Build during the official window. Open-source tools are welcome with attribution. Submit one original project to one track.
Judging signal
Max 55
- Innovation10
- Technical execution10
- Impact and relevance10
- User experience10
- Presentation10
- Responsible AI5
07 / Good to know
Questions, meet answers.
Do I need a team before I register?
No. Register solo and use the skill-matching board to meet collaborators during the opening program.
What Is a Hackathon?
A hackathon is a short, intense event — usually a day to a few days — where people team up to build something from scratch: an app, a device, a prototype, a piece of software.
Who can participate?
Developers, designers, data scientists, students and hardware builders aged 18 and above are welcome.
What should I bring?
Bring your laptop, charger, valid ID and any personal hardware you plan to use.
Is the event in person?
Yes. TechSavanna Hack 1.0 takes place at Reliance Center in Westlands, Nairobi.
08 / Backed by builders
Our partners
In partnership with organisations building the future.
Proudly supported by institutions investing in practical technology, local talent and meaningful digital progress.
/Techsavanna sofware institute/Techsavanna LTD
09 / Talk to us
Questions before you build?
Send the TechSavanna team a note. Your message is delivered through the platform — not a pretend success screen.
hackathon@techsavanna.technologyYour build starts here
Make the signal
impossible to ignore.
Bring a problem worth solving. Leave with a team, a prototype and momentum.
Applications close 26 Sept 2026