Welcome to the Yelp AI API Hackathon!

Build the Future of Local Discovery with AI

Join us for an exciting opportunity to revolutionize how people discover and interact with local businesses! The Yelp AI API Hackathon challenges developers to create innovative web or mobile applications powered by Yelp's cutting-edge AI API as the primary data source.
 

This hackathon puts Yelp's powerful AI-driven local business data directly in your hands. You'll have access to comprehensive information about restaurants, services, and businesses worldwide, enhanced by conversational AI capabilities to create truly unique user experiences. Whether you're building a personalized dining recommendation engine, a smart travel companion, or an innovative business discovery tool, the possibilities are endless.

Using new agentic action capabilties, Yelp's AI API supports conversational restaurant reservations at thounsads of locations across the US & Canada. You can try the AI API Playground here (Yelp account required).

 

The Challenge

Create a NEW, fully functional application that leverages Yelp AI API's capabilities. Your project will be judged equally on technological implementation, design excellence, potential impact, and creative innovation. Top submissions will compete for $5,000 in total prizes, and exclusive rights to use the Yelp Hackathon Winner badge.

PLEASE NOTE: We have now confirmed all judges for this event, we appreciate your interest in becoming a judge for this hackathon however applications for this role will not be considered

Requirements

What to Build

The only limit is your imagination. Design intelligent dining experiences like AI-powered meal planners that suggest restaurants based on dietary preferences and cuisine exploration goals. Create nightlife guides that match users with venues based on music taste, atmosphere, and real-time crowd insights. Build smart home service platforms connecting homeowners with trusted contractors through AI-driven matching. Develop travel companions that craft personalized itineraries blending food, activities, and hidden gems. Think beyond search ro consider voice-activated assistants, AR experiences overlaying business info on city streets, or social platforms for sharing local recommendations. Your app should make discovering and experiencing local businesses more intuitive, personalized, and delightful than ever before.

What to Submit

Your submission must include a NEW web or mobile application using Yelp AI API endpoint as the primary data source, with a public code repository containing all source code and setup instructions. Provide a URL to a hosted build (APK/TestFlight) or published app for testing. Include a three-minute demonstration video (YouTube, Vimeo, or similar) showing your app in action, plus a detailed text description explaining features and functionality. Enter your Yelp AI API client ID generated during sign-up. Ensure your project meets technical requirements: thoroughly leverages Yelp AI API, functions as demonstrated, and represents original work created during the submission period

 

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

$5,000 in prizes
First Place
$3,000 in cash
1 winner

Second Place
$2,000 in cash
1 winner

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Matthew Hammon

Matthew Hammon
Head of Marketing, AI & APIs at Yelp

Rustam Ibragimov
Software Engineer at Yelp

Sid Arora
Product Manager at Yelp

Judging Criteria

  • Technological Implementation
    Does the project demonstrate quality software development? Does the project thoroughly leverage the required tool? How is the quality of the code?
  • Design
    Is the user experience and design of the project well thought out? Is there a balanced blend of frontend and backend in the software?
  • Potential Impact
    How big of an impact could the project have on the target community? How big of an impact could it have beyond the target community?
  • Quality of the Idea
    How creative and unique is the project? Does the concept exist already? If so, how much does the project improve on it?

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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