Singapore's Largest AI Hackathon Showcases Innovation and Talent

Published Date : 20/10/2025 

The Cursor Hackathon, held at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, brought together over 400 participants and leading AI firms like Cursor, OpenAI, DeepMind, Anthropic, and Supabase to create innovative AI projects. 

SINGAPORE - The Cursor Hackathon, held recently at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) campus, was a 24-hour event that tested the limits of creativity and innovation using artificial intelligence (AI). Participants were challenged to use AI in any way they could, and the results were nothing short of impressive.

The hackathon featured a diverse range of participants, from teenagers to seasoned engineers and start-up founders. One of the standout projects was an online game that pitted humans against AI models in a trivia challenge. The game not only showcased the capabilities of AI but also highlighted the competitive spirit of the participants.

Another winning project was an AI art generator that turned random scribbles into digital art. This project, created by principal product manager Sritam Patnaik, won the top prize of over US$43,000 in AI firm credits and three months of access to advanced AI tools. Patnaik's project demonstrated the potential of AI in the creative arts, opening up new possibilities for digital artists and designers.

The second prize went to a web game called canyoubeatgroq.com, developed by a final-year Singapore Management University undergraduate named Brian Chew. The game challenges users to solve logic, mathematics, and word puzzles faster than AI models, providing a fun and engaging way to test human intelligence against AI.

The third prize was awarded to the creators of Neuroflix, a video generator that transforms compliance training into engaging content. The team, consisting of Justin Baird, Antoine Lee, and Sharon Li, aimed to make corporate training more interactive and enjoyable. They were inspired by the lack of engaging training modules in corporations and hoped to develop Neuroflix into a full-fledged company.

The Cursor Hackathon was organized by five founders and operators of Singapore start-ups: Ivan Leo, Sherry Jiang, Agrim Singh, Kaspar Hidayat, and Gabriel Chua. Singh noted that it was the first time such a diverse group of AI leaders gathered in one place, even in the United States. The event provided a unique opportunity for participants to learn from and be guided by industry experts.

Among the youngest participants was 13-year-old Usman Asif, who worked on a tool for sports coaching, alongside his father, Asif Saleem, and his 18-year-old sister, Shanzey Asif. Shanzey developed a website to help users find the best times and locations to view celestial bodies in Singapore. Asif, who works in financial services at Google, also contributed by creating a website called College Leap, which helps students choose universities based on their academic performance and preferences.

The hackathon not only highlighted the potential of AI but also fostered a sense of community and collaboration among participants. It demonstrated that with the right tools and guidance, even those with little coding experience can create innovative and impactful projects. The event was a testament to Singapore's growing reputation as a hub for AI innovation and talent. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What was the main goal of the Cursor Hackathon?

A: The main goal of the Cursor Hackathon was to challenge participants to create innovative projects using AI, fostering creativity and collaboration among a diverse group of participants.

Q: Who were the top prize winners at the Cursor Hackathon?

A: The top prize went to Sritam Patnaik for his AI art generator, followed by Brian Chew for his web game canyoubeatgroq.com, and the creators of Neuroflix for their video generator.

Q: What was the unique aspect of the Cursor Hackathon?

A: The unique aspect of the Cursor Hackathon was the participation of leading AI firms like Cursor, OpenAI, DeepMind, Anthropic, and Supabase, which gathered in one place for the first time to support and guide participants.

Q: How did the youngest participants contribute to the hackathon?

A: The youngest participants, including 13-year-old Usman Asif and his 18-year-old sister Shanzey Asif, contributed by developing projects such as a sports coaching tool and a website for viewing celestial bodies in Singapore.

Q: What was the role of the organizers in the Cursor Hackathon?

A: The Cursor Hackathon was organized by five founders and operators of Singapore start-ups: Ivan Leo, Sherry Jiang, Agrim Singh, Kaspar Hidayat, and Gabriel Chua. They aimed to bring together AI leaders and participants to foster innovation and learning. 

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