AI Mobile App Hackathon · Leicester
Details
Reserve your place here: https://luma.com/elqavxbw
# Build a mobile app in an evening.
**The Build Room** is bringing an AI mobile app hackathon to Leicester, powered by [Bilt.me](https://bilt.me/?utm_source=luma) and supported by Leicester Startups, with De Montfort University as academic partner, food and drinks sponsored by H2K Solutions Ltd, and a video challenge supported by Fotor.
Bring an idea, tackle a practical business problem or meet people to build with. Your goal: a working mobile app prototype you can test on your phone and show the room.
No coding experience needed. Come solo or in a team of up to four. Complimentary Bilt Pro-level access, food and refreshments are included.
## THE CHALLENGES
Choose one of two app-building tracks:
- Open Build: bring your own mobile app idea or find one on the night.
- Startup Challenge: choose a practical business problem from our supplied prompts and build a prototype showing how your app could help.
Focus on one useful thing that works. Judges will assess apps on practical value, creativity and execution, then select finalists to demo. We’re interested in what you build during the evening, whatever your experience.
## BILT ACCESS & PRIZES
Build with [Bilt.me](https://bilt.me/?utm_source=luma) · Our headline technology partner
[Bilt.me](https://bilt.me/?utm_source=luma) turns a plain-language idea into a native mobile app, with the frontend, database and login built for you. Describe what you want, refine it with AI and test it on your phone.
All participants receive complimentary Bilt Pro-level access for the event, with 20 million Bilt tokens per person for the overall winning team across Open Build and Startup Challenge.
Use the evening to build and demonstrate your prototype, then keep developing it afterwards.
Optional Fotor Demo Video Challenge
Teams in either Open Build or Startup Challenge can also use Fotor to create a short demo or product video showcasing their app. Each member of the winning team receives 1,000 Fotor credits. This is a separate, optional award; you don’t need to make a video to enter the main app competition.
Fotor is a global AI-powered creative platform helping creators, marketers and businesses turn ideas into creative content through AI image and video tools.
For this challenge, participants will have access to Fotor Agent, designed to help transform creative ideas into structured, editable video projects.
Go beyond pixel-based AI generation. Fotor Code-to-Video builds motion graphics and animations with code, giving you precise control over text, layouts and movement, which is perfect for demo videos.
Watch the Fotor tutorial.
## BEFORE THE EVENT
We’re planning an optional online prep session on Monday 16 November in the evening, covering Bilt, the format, challenges and prizes. The exact time and joining link will be shared with registered attendees.
You can create your Bilt account beforehand, but wait until event night to redeem your event Pro access.
Join The Build Room on Discord now to ask questions, share ideas and connect with other builders.
Nearer the event, approved attendees will also be invited to an optional WhatsApp group to find teammates. Neither group is required to attend; official updates will continue through Luma.
No idea, team or previous hackathon experience needed.
## RUNNING ORDER
18:00 · Doors open, check-in and team formation
18:15 · Welcome, challenges and judging criteria
18:30 · Building begins
20:15 · Submissions close
20:15 to 20:45 · Judges review submissions and select finalists
20:45 · Selected teams demo their apps
21:15 · Final judging and winners
21:30 · Close
## WHAT TO BRING
- A laptop and charger
- Your phone for testing
- An idea, if you have one, and a willingness to experiment
## EVENT DETAILS
Wednesday 18 November 2026 · 18:00–21:30
Canopy, Leicester
Free · Limited places · Registration approval required
Teams of one to four
## PHOTOGRAPHY
We’ll take photographs to document the evening and promote this and future Build Room events on our website and social media. Prefer not to be photographed? Email [hello@thebuildroom.uk](mailto:hello@thebuildroom.uk) beforehand or tell an organiser when you arrive so we can make arrangements.
Interested in supporting The Build Room? Contact [hello@thebuildroom.uk](mailto:hello@thebuildroom.uk) or visit thebuildroom.uk.
Come with an idea. Leave with something you’ve built.