Join our AI Hackathon with MariaDB Vector
We are excited to announce a hackathon with MariaDB Vector and Python. Since we are reaching outside our bubble, let’s start from the beginning:
MariaDB, the open-source database powers the world’s most demanding applications, from Wikipedia to global financial institutions. Now MariaDB Vector is bringing AI-ready vector search natively into the open-source database world. MySQL users ahoy:
Our hackathon is your chance to explore AI possibilities with MariaDB Vector and Python. Whether you’re a developer, data scientist, or AI enthusiast, MariaDB Foundation invites you to build innovative AI applications, compete for prizes, and showcase your work.
Gather a team, submit your idea, and develop it! Winners get to demo their project at Helsinki Python Meetup in May, and receive prizes sponsored by Verkkokauppa.com. Can’t be on-site? Participate and earn a special mention!
For more details about the Helsinki Python Meetup in May hosted by MariaDB Foundation and Open Ocean Capital, a meetup page link will be shared closer to the event.
Key parts and dates
- Ideation (Now – Mon 31 March 2025, 23:59 EET): Submit your idea for approval.
- Development (Upon Approval – Mon 5 May 2025, 23:59 EET): Build your solution based on your approved idea and submit it by instructions below.
- Demo (Tue 27 May 2025): Winners present their project’s live demo at the Helsinki Python Meetup (Hackathon participants will be informed about the hackathon results a week before the meetup).
How to Participate
- Form a team (1 to 5 members) via the Helsinki Python Discord group at #mariadb-hackathon. Diverse and new teams are encouraged.
- Your project must be in Python, and utilize MariaDB Vector (see Vector Overview in the MariaDB Knowledge Base, with video tutorials)
- Choose between two tracks:
- 1) Integration: Enable MariaDB Vector in an existing open source project or AI-framework. Either add it alongside other vector solutions (Qdrant, pgvector, etc.) or create a first implementation.
- 2) Innovation: Build a reference implementation for a use case, such as a Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) system in text, image, voice, or video form.
- Submit a one-page PDF proposal via email to hackathon@mariadb.org (a one sentence summary, short use case, and a brief technical outline).
- If needed, discuss your idea with organizers (@robertsilen) on Helsinki Python Discord #mariadb-hackathon or receive mentoring from international experts at MariaDB Foundation
- Develop your project and submit the code as a GitHub repository (or a Pull Request to an existing open-source repo) under an Open Source license. Record a 2-4 minute demo video (unlisted/public YouTube or other) and send the URLs to hackathon@mariadb.org.
Evaluation & Prizes
Projects will be judged by representatives from MariaDB Foundation and the Helsinki Python Team based on:
- Impact: How effectively MariaDB Vector is integrated or how significant the reference implementation is.
- Elegance: Code quality and implementation.
Prizes sponsored by Verkkokauppa.com will be awarded at the event. Fine print: While everyone can participate online, only in-person participants can claim prizes. At least one team member must be present at the event to demo and receive the prize.
Let’s get going 🙂
Whether you’re participating in the hackathon or joining the Helsinki Python Meetup to learn and be inspired, we look forward to seeing you participate!