PixelRiotAI Hackathon Platform

Overview

PixelRiot is a large-scale AI-focused hackathon that attracted over 5,000 participants from across the globe. As Technical Lead, I owned the complete technical infrastructure for the event, from the initial planning stages through execution and post-event operations. This encompassed everything from building the event platform to coordinating with tier-1 AI partners and producing promotional video content.

The Challenge

Organizing a hackathon of this scale presented several critical challenges:

• Building a robust platform to handle 5,000+ participant registrations and project submissions
• Coordinating distribution of $600,000 in API credits from multiple tier-1 AI partners
• Creating automated workflows for participant communication at scale
• Designing and deploying a public-facing website that effectively showcased the event
• Managing on-site technical operations at Varso Tower for the physical kickoff
• Producing professional video content to amplify event reach and engagement

Solution & Approach

I designed and implemented a comprehensive technical solution that included:

• Full-stack event platform with registration system and project submission pipeline
• Automated email workflow system for participant communications and updates
• Partner management system for API credit distribution across ElevenLabs, Runway, Bolt, and Fal AI
• Public-facing website optimized for participant acquisition and partner showcasing
• Video production featuring jury interviews to build credibility and excitement
• On-site technical infrastructure management at the Varso Tower kickoff event

Technical Implementation

The platform was built using modern, scalable technologies:

• Next.js and TypeScript for a performant, type-safe frontend and backend
• Cloudflare infrastructure for reliable global distribution and security
• Database architecture designed to handle thousands of concurrent users
• Automated email system integrated with event triggers and milestones
• API integrations with partner platforms for seamless credit distribution
• Analytics and monitoring systems for real-time event tracking

Key Responsibilities

As Technical Lead, my role encompassed:

• End-to-end ownership of technical infrastructure and platform development
• Partnership coordination with ElevenLabs, Runway, Bolt, and Fal AI for $600k API credit distribution
• Video production and content creation featuring jury member interviews
• Physical event management and technical operations at Varso Tower
• Team coordination and technical decision-making across all event systems
• Community engagement strategy to drive participant growth and retention

Outcomes

The November 2025 edition ran with more than 5,000 participants, and the platform carried registration and submissions for all of them. I coordinated $600,000+ in API credits across the tool partners. The same codebase is being reused for the 2026 Vienna edition rather than rebuilt.