Riyadh: The Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE) has announced the launch of the first edition of the "Engineering Hackathon" as part of the 4th International Engineering Conference (IECE 2026). The event features a total prize pool of SAR500,000, with registration and submission of initial ideas open from September 13 to October 5, 2026.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the hackathon aims to empower national talent and stimulate engineering and creative capabilities to develop solutions addressing the sector's needs and challenges. It seeks to bridge academic knowledge and professional expertise with practical application, support innovation, advance engineering practices, and strengthen the sector's competitiveness and sustainability.

The hackathon comprises three main tracks and 15 engineering challenges. The "Engineering, Smart, and Cognitive Cities" track addresses challenges related to cities, infrastructure, and smart urban services. "Engineering Development" focuses on modern technologies and business development for engineering firms and offices, while "Engineering Innovation" tackles real-world challenges within society and the built environment.

The hackathon will conclude during IECE 2026, where qualifying teams will present their solutions to judging panels, followed by the announcement and honoring of the winners. The SAR500,000 prize fund will be distributed among five winning places. Winning projects will also have opportunities to connect with business incubators and accelerators.

Organized by the Saudi Council of Engineers, IECE 2026 will be held under the patronage of Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majed Al-Hogail from December 14 to 16, 2026, at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center in Riyadh.