Shanghai, January 2026, the French Tech Shanghai is taking a decisive step forward in the local innovation landscape with the launch of its first-ever AI Hackathon, scheduled for January 16–17, 2026. Designed as a 24-hour marathon of creativity and execution, the event will gather more than 200 participants to tackle real-world artificial intelligence challenges alongside major international corporations.

In a context where speed, applied innovation, and cross-functional collaboration have become critical, this hackathon marks a clear statement of intent: French Tech Shanghai is ready to operate at corporate scale while preserving startup agility.

A Platform for Applied AI Innovation

Unlike traditional tech competitions, the French Tech Shanghai AI Hackathon is firmly rooted in industrial and business realities. Participants will be developers, designers, data scientists, marketers, entrepreneurs, and students, will work in multidisciplinary teams to build functional AI solutions in just 24 hours.

The challenges reflect some of today’s most pressing innovation topics:

• Edge AI & Computer Vision for assisted driving and safety
• Health diagnostics powered by data science and AI vision
• Building energy efficiency using forecasting, digital twins, and optimization
• Offline consumer experience enhanced by LLMs and AI agents
• Industrial root-cause analysis through advanced data science

At the end of the hackathon, teams will pitch their projects to a jury of technology and business leaders, competing for RMB 35,000 in cash prizes and ecosystem visibility.

Our Platinum Sponsors

Our Gold Tech and Venue Sponsors

Corporate Sponsorship at the Core

The event is supported by a strong lineup of corporate and technology partners, underlining the strategic importance of open innovation in today’s competitive environment.

Platinum Sponsors include Danone, Forvia, L’Oréal China, Safran, and Akila, while VO2 Asia Pacific joins as Gold Sponsor. Alibaba Cloud and ST provide technical support, and the hackathon will be hosted at Beauty Nova Tech Hub.

Their involvement sends a clear signal: large corporations increasingly look to ecosystems like French Tech Shanghai to accelerate innovation, access talent, and test ideas faster than traditional R&D models allow.

Open, Inclusive, and Talent-Driven

The hackathon is open to all profiles, regardless of background or experience level. Participants may join with an existing team or be matched through a dedicated platform prior to the event.

“No team? We’ll find one for you,” organizers say a reflection of the inclusive spirit that defines the French Tech community worldwide.

A Milestone for French Tech Shanghai

More than a one-off event, the AI Hackathon represents a new chapter for French Tech Shanghai. It showcases the organization’s ability to mobilize talent, engage corporates, and deliver concrete innovation outcomes in one of the world’s most dynamic tech hubs.

As AI continues to reshape industries, French Tech Shanghai positions itself not only as a community, but as a credible innovation partner capable of turning ideas into impact — fast.

📅 January 16–17, 2026 📍 Shanghai – Beauty Nova Tech Hub

Innovation starts here. The clock is ticking.

Here is the link to find more informations and register: https://www.frenchtechshanghai.com/french-tech-hackathon-2026-participant-info/