Overview
Xathon 2026 is an innovation challenge organized by BeyondX Lab, supported by Padang & Co and others. The event brings together professionals and aspiring founders to explore how AI can transform the physical world. It features a hands-on one-day workshop followed by a two-day hackathon, culminating in a showcase of AI backed prototypes at BeyondXpo. The program centers on four primary tracks—Smart Cities, Creator Economy, Mobility, and Health—and invites multidisciplinary teams to develop AI-assisted prototypes with real world impact. Selected teams will present their solutions at BeyondXpo and may gain access to further opportunities within the BeyondX ecosystem.
What it is for
- Participants: professionals and aspiring founders looking to explore AI enabled solutions.
- Outcomes: AI-assisted prototypes, practical demonstrations of AI in the physical world, and potential pathways to showcase at BeyondXpo.
- Focus areas: Smart Cities, Creator Economy, Mobility, and Health with an emphasis on tangible, real-world applications.
Format and agenda
- One day workshop to introduce AI tools and workflows that will be used during the hackathon.
- Two day hackathon where teams build and test AI-enabled prototypes.
- After the hackathon, selected teams advance to a finals showcase at BeyondXpo.
- The tracks emphasize collaboration, rapid prototyping, and user oriented design thinking.
What happens during the programme
- Team formation: Participants form teams of three to four members.
- Problem framing: Teams select one of the four innovation missions and define a problem statement to tackle during the programme.
- AI-assisted prototyping: Teams use AI tools and hardware prototyping resources to build a prototype.
- Mentorship and validation: Teams receive guidance from mentors and refine their pitches through practice sessions.
- Final presentation: The top three teams present at BeyondXpo, with recognition and potential incubation pathways.
Programme Tracks
- AI + Smart Cities: How to make cities more adaptive, efficient and human.
- AI + Creator Economy: Reshaping creation, learning and storytelling with AI.
- AI + Mobility / EV: Rethinking mobility, urban transport and electrification.
- AI + Health / Longevity: Preventative health, eldercare, workplace wellbeing and remote diagnostics.
Who should attend
- Individuals and teams interested in hands-on AI development, prototyping and real-world deployment.
- Founders, developers, designers, students, researchers and professionals looking to explore AI enabled solutions for the physical world.
Venue and dates
- Location: BeyondX, Singapore with a live, in-person format. The event includes a final showcase at BeyondXpo.
- Dates visible on the page include a workshop on a Wednesday 19 August and a two-day Hack Weekend on Saturday and Sunday 26 and 27 September, with additional activity through BeyondXpo finals.
FAQ and prizes
- Finalists will be invited to present at BeyondXpo, with cash prizes and sponsor rewards for top teams.
- The programme emphasizes rapid iteration, validation, and real-world applicability of AI powered prototypes.
- There are opportunities for ongoing mentorship and potential incubation pathways after the event.
Target audience
- Professionals and aspiring founders who want to explore AI in the real world, with a focus on practical, scalable solutions that address urban and health related challenges.
What you gain
- Hands-on experience building AI assisted prototypes in real world contexts.
- Mentorship from seasoned professionals and potential pathways to showcase at BeyondXpo.
- Networking with ecosystem partners, potential customers and investors.
This description reflects the content on the event page, including the workshop and hackathon format, the four tracks, and the final showcase at BeyondXpo. It does not introduce dates or facts beyond what is visible on the site.
Notes for attendees
- Be prepared to work intensively over two days if selected to proceed to BeyondXpo finals.
- Registration is typically done by forming a team and selecting a track, with guidance and resources provided by the event organizers.
