Build your confidence.
And your résumé.
Make a working project you can demo, explain and add to your portfolio. Learn by doing something real.
AI BUILDERS WEEKEND / NOV 20–22 / MTSU
Your idea.
Made real.
Take your first step with AI.
Build your résumé. Test a business idea.
Make something useful—with a team.
Nov 20–22, 2026 · Murfreesboro, TN · Free, 18+
Beginners welcome. Every background. Come solo or with friends.
Registration is open · Build Nov 20–22
A lot of possibility.
Free to join. Open to adults 18+Teams of 2–6. Come solo or with friendsSunday showcase. Two teammates on site, noon–3 p.m. CT
YOUR NEXT CHANCE TO START
One weekend.
Your first build.
FREE · AGES 18+AI Builders
AI Builders
Weekend at MTSU.
November 20–22, 2026
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Come solo. Build in a team of 2–6.Remote building is allowed. At least two teammates must present at MTSU Sunday, November 22, noon–3 p.m. Central.
Register for freeRead the full event guide ↗YOUR WEEKEND AT A GLANCECENTRAL TIME
NOON / EVENT BEGINS
Find a problem.
Find your people.
Start the weekend, meet collaborators and choose a small project you can build and explain.
- Introduce yourself and form a team.
- Define your audience and smallest useful demo.
- Check Friday parking-pass instructions.
BUILD DAY / FLEXIBLE TEAM WORK
Make it work.
Then make it clearer.
Build, test with teammates and trim the scope. A small working project beats an enormous unfinished idea.
- Connect one complete user flow.
- Test the parts you plan to demonstrate.
- Record a backup demo and credit contributions.
NOON–3 P.M. / PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS
Show what
you made.
At least two teammates must present in person at MTSU. Tell the story behind your project and demonstrate what works.
- Confirm your two in-person presenters.
- Prepare a live flow and a backup demo.
- Follow the published submission and judging instructions.
A FIRST STEP CAN TAKE YOU SOMEWHERE NEW.
Start where you are.
See what’s possible.
You don’t need to be an engineer.
You need a little curiosity—and a reason to try.
Build your confidence.
Give an idea
its first version.
Test a business idea, help a local shop or improve a daily task. Start with one problem worth solving.
Different strengths.
Better together.
Meet designers, business minds, researchers, writers and coders. Bring your perspective to a team.
WHAT SOUNDS LIKE YOU?There’s more than one way in.
01 / YOUR FIRST BUILDYou don’t need to know everything.
You don’t need to know everything.
Just start with one useful thing.
Choose a small problem, bring your strengths and learn with teammates. Start with a simple website or a tool you can explain in a sentence.
A first working flow you can click, test and show someone.
Make my starting plan ↗Explore my starting points ↗A SMALL IDEA. A WORKING FIRST VERSION.
From “what if”
to “I built this.”
Start with one audience and one useful thing. Build a first version, test it, and tell the story behind it.
A simple project can teach you a lot. Explore three examples of a manageable first build.
These are interactive examples with prepared sample answers—not past teams’ work or live AI-generated responses.
YOUR FIRST BUILDEXAMPLE
A SMALL PROBLEM IS A REAL STARTING POINT.
“What if a local shop
could answer the
same questions faster?”
ONE AUDIENCEA neighborhood shop
ONE USEFUL THINGAnswers customers need
ONE WEEKEND DEMOA simple FAQ helper
FICTIONAL BUSINESS / SAMPLE DATA
Corner Shop Helper
Try a question. A small, useful flow is enough to start.
SHOP NOTES → ANSWER
This example shop opens Tuesday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. A real project should use the shop’s approved information.
An illustrative prototype with prepared answers. No AI request is sent.
YOUR FIRST “I BUILT THIS.”A useful demo.
A useful demo.
A story to tell.
- Show the problem you chose.
- Walk through one working flow.
- Explain your part and what you learned.
- Be clear about the limits and next steps.
THE REAL SUNDAY SHOWCASE
Nov 22 · Noon–3 p.m. Central
At least two teammates present in person.
Explore the idea, try the prototype, then see how you might present it.
HAVE AN IDEA OF YOUR OWN?Make a starting brief ↗
ONE AUDIENCE. ONE PROBLEM. ONE DEMO.Give your idea
Give your idea
a useful boundary.
Write what you’d like to make and who it’s for. We’ll organize your answers into a practical first-project worksheet you can edit, copy or download.
A guided worksheet with suggested steps. It does not make an AI request or send your idea to a server.
NO IDEA YET? BORROW A STARTING POINT.
Good ideas
start small.
Browse example projects and take away a build brief. These are suggestions, not past winners or official competition tracks.
3 starting points
A project brief is a starting point. Your team owns the decisions, testing and explanation.
COME SOLO. FIND YOUR PEOPLE.
Come solo.
Build together.
Our Slack is where the introductions start—and where the conversation can keep going after the weekend.
Say hello.
Join Slack and share what you’re curious about in #introductions.
Find complementary skills.
Post your interests and open roles in #find-a-team. Design, research, storytelling and business skills count.
Make a small plan.
Form a team of 2–6. Agree on one problem and who can present on Sunday.
Questions? Use #ask-organizers. Keep sharing progress in #showcase after the weekend.
MEET US IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE.Made in
Made in
Murfreesboro.
Open to you.
Business & Aerospace Building
1642 MTSU Blvd, Murfreesboro, TN 37132
A little clarity before you travel.
Room and building access
The room number and detailed access hours are being finalized. Check Luma updates before traveling; overnight venue access has not been announced.
Friday and weekend parking
Friday parking passes are needed. Luma says Saturday and Sunday parking are free. Approved lots and Friday pass pickup instructions still need to be published.
Awards, mentors and the full program
Organizers are seeking a $2,000 prize pool and recognition across multiple strengths. Secured amounts, final awards, judging criteria and mentor availability are being finalized. Check official updates for confirmed announcements.
Equipment, food and accessibility
A laptop and charger are sensible preparation if you have them. Loaners, food and detailed accommodations are not confirmed. Email the organizers privately about access or equipment needs.
Checking the latest organizer arrival update…
Public event facts checked November 1, 2026. Latest updates on Luma
YOUR FIRST-WEEKEND CHECKLIST0 of 5 ready
FIRST TIME? YOU’VE GOT A NEXT STEP.
Five little things.
One good start.
Use this short checklist to get ready. Your progress stays in this browser; it isn’t an event check-in or a submission.
0 of 5 ready
Download the builder kit ↗HELP SOMEONE SAY “I BUILT THIS.”
The next first step
could start with you.
Meet emerging talent. Introduce your business to Middle Tennessee. Help more people turn curiosity into a working project.
Sponsorship discussions start at $200. Benefits and funding are agreed directly with organizers.GOOD QUESTIONS. CLEAR ANSWERS.
Before your
first “yes.”
Check the full event guide, or ask the organizers.
Open the event guide ↗Do I need to know how to code?
Beginners are welcome. The event is built around making useful things with AI, and people bring different strengths: design, business, research, storytelling and software. Choose a small project and a team that can learn together.
Is this only for MTSU students?
No. The event welcomes people ages 18+ from all backgrounds, including students from other universities and professionals. Every major and experience level can take part.
Can I register on my own?
Yes. Come solo or bring friends. Form a team of 2–6 and use the community Slack to meet people with complementary interests. Register on Luma for event and community access information.
Can I build remotely?
Yes, remote building is allowed. At least two teammates must be physically present at MTSU on Sunday, November 22, from noon to 3 p.m. Central for presentations and awards.
What does it cost?
Registration is free. Bring a laptop and any tools you plan to use. Do not assume paid AI subscriptions or credits are provided; check the official event updates for any offers.
A FIRST STEP IS STILL A BIG STEP
Take your first step.
We’ll build from there.
AI Builders Weekend · November 20–22 · MTSU.
Free, ages 18+, all backgrounds. Come solo or bring friends.
AI Builders · Nov 20–22Free · MTSU · Beginners welcome
Register free