Overview
The AWS Communication Developer Services (CDS) Agentic AI Partner Hackathon invites AWS Partners to create practical, AI-enabled customer communication solutions. The online hackathon runs from September 14 through October 28, 2026, with submissions due October 28 at 4:00 p.m. EDT. It is intended for professionals and postgraduate participants who meet the legal age requirement in their country of residence. AWS Partner Network registrants only are eligible. The page lists country and territory exclusions in the full rules.
Projects should rethink messaging beyond one-time passwords, basic notifications, and scripted chatbots. The challenge is to build customer experiences that use preferred communication channels, carry context between conversations, and support two-way interactions. One example is a prescription refill reminder sent by SMS, followed by pharmacy selection through RCS and dosage instructions by email.
What to build
Entrants must build, develop, and deploy an AI solution on AWS for a real-world customer use case. The project must use at least one eligible AWS Communication Developer Service: AWS End User Messaging with Rich Communication Services (RCS) or SMS, AWS End User Messaging Social for WhatsApp, or Amazon Simple Email Service (SES). Amazon Bedrock AgentCore is recommended for agentic AI, but is not required. AWS End User Messaging Push does not qualify as CDS usage for eligibility. The solution must run reliably on its intended platform and work as represented in its submission.
Teams are optional. If forming a team, members should come from the same AWS Partner organization. The page suggests combining development, architecture, and customer engagement skills. Participants are encouraged to explore the services and technology stack, identify a customer problem, and build a solution that could become a repeatable offering.
Submission requirements
Submissions must include a code repository on GitHub or GitLab, an architecture diagram, a written description, an approximately three-minute demonstration video, and either a deployed project URL or instructions for interacting with the project. The repository must include the source code, assets, and run instructions, and show AWS CDS use at runtime. Public repositories need an open-source license; private repositories must be shared with the designated Devpost and AWS email addresses. Entrants must also create an opportunity in AWS Partner Central's AWS Customer Engagement system using the specified campaign code. A description of WhatsApp usage is required for consideration for the Meta WhatsApp prize.
Support and judging
AWS offers live webinars and weekly office hours with AWS Specialists. The page also states that one $50 AWS credit per team and Kiro access codes per individual are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Judging weighs technical execution at 40%, potential value or impact at 20%, demo presentation at 20%, creativity at 10%, and functionality at 10%. Judges listed include AWS leaders Marie Carlton, Sara Caleffi, and Tom Sly, along with other AWS specialists and managers.
Prizes
The total prize pool is $40,000. First place receives $18,000, second place $8,000, and third place $4,000. These awards also include varying AWS Marketplace enablement, go-to-market, case study, or marketing support. The $10,000 Best of WhatsApp prize is sponsored by Meta. The top winner is offered a joint case study with AWS.
