MariaDB Hackathons

MariaDB Foundation arranges hackathons to facilitate the adoption of MariaDB and encourage various forms of contributions to the relational open source database MariaDB. 

Ongoing: Hackathon 2025

The MariaDB-Python global hackathon in collaboration with BangPypers in Bengaluru is running September-October 2025. There is a USD 10 000 prize pool for winners, and for an outstanding final submission, a paid trip to Finland to meet founder of MariaDB, Monty Widenius.

Hackathon AMA Slides
See slides of the MariaDB Hackathon AMA, 5 September 2025

Past MariaDB hackathons

Why MariaDB Hackathons?

MariaDB Foundation arranges hackathons to facilitate the adoption of MariaDB and encourage various forms of contributions to the relational open source database MariaDB. 

Integration: Make MariaDB easy to access and use

We want MariaDB to be available and easy to use in all tools, languages, environments, and that MariaDB is enabled across all (Github) projects that use databases.

Innovation: Develop feature demos and use cases

We want MariaDB reference implementations (aka use cases, role models, demos) of individual features that are easy to find, learn and adapt.

Organise a hackathon with us?

Offering for groups and co-organisers

  1. Meetup groups: A value-adding event where community members can collaborate and learn on real projects, connect with experts, and showcase their skills.
  2. Universities: A hands-on experience for students with mentorship from industry professionals – and a boost to the institution’s innovation culture.
  3. Companies: A chance as a supporter of the event to find talent and promote your brand as supporters of innovation and open source. 
  4. VCs: A front-row seat as supporter of the event to discover early-stage ideas, emerging technologies, and talented builders. 

Offering for Hackathon participants

With hackathon topics on AI, database innovation or whatever we agree with our co-organisars, participants will get to:

  1. Scratch your own itch: build something that intrigues you
  2. Learn: Pick up the latest database technology, integrations and AI applications
  3. Network: Collaborate and get to know new people
  4. Contribute: Make a meaningful open source contribution to a widely used project
  5. Career advancement: Get visibility and recognition for your skills and efforts

How MariaDB delivers

Using experience from previous hackathons and our technical insights on MariaDB: 

  • Co-design and announce the hackathon with your organization
  • Mentor participants during hackathon – including top MariaDB experts as needed
  • Provide a prize budget to reward top contributions
  • Share results and facilitate further steps with the hackathon contributions
  • Showcast the contributions in documentation, blog, and social media

MariaDB Foundation goals

The key values of MariaDB Foundation are adoption, openness, and continuity. We drive our values as part of hackathons: 

  • Contributions in code and documentation
    • Core server – code improvements to MariaDB Server
    • Integrations – how MariaDB is connected with apps, environments and tools
    • Innovations – sample apps that showcase MariaDB functionality 
    • Documentation – quality content for MariaDB’s knowledge base and university lecture materials
  • Adoption of MariaDB Server in apps and cloud offerings

Organise a hackathon with us! 

Want to organise a hackathon together with MariaDB?
Please contact us at hackathon@mariadb.org