Build-a-Thon 2026
ICC
📌About the Challenge
The Ignition Build-a-Thon 2026 is a highly accelerated, multi-stage innovation sprint organized by Inductive Automation. Designed explicitly for certified partners, this challenge bridges the gap between raw industrial engineering and rapid system execution.
Instead of focusing on traditional, fantasy-themed riddle gauntlets, the 2026 challenge introduces a high-intensity “Gordon-Ramsay-mode” format. Teams are given a single surprise build prompt and an absolute, non-negotiable ticking clock to deploy functional, real-world SCADA and enterprise architectures under intense time pressure.
📅 Event Status Notice
- 🚀 Registration Launch: Active now.
- 🏁 Registration Hard Deadline: June 21, 2026
- ⏱️ Virtual Elimination Window: July 13 – July 19, 2026
- 📢 Future Finalists Livestream Announcement: July 30, 2026.
- 🏆 Grand Finale Phase: September 2026 live on the main stage at the Ignition Community Conference (ICC).
📋 The Execution Roadmap
The competition forces rapid development cycles using a streamlined qualification and live arena model:
- 🔍 Step 1: Team Assembly – Premier Integrators assemble a tight-knit squad of exactly three (3) elite builders who specialize in Jython scripting, HMI layouts, and high-speed Gateway configurations.
- 🛠️ Step 2: The 8-Hour Elimination Sprint – Teams receive a single, surprise objective prompt. Once triggered, the team has exactly 8 consecutive hours to build their technical solution completely from scratch.
- 🎤 Step 3: The Showcase & Live Battle – On July 30, a virtual livestream hosted by the MC trio (Kent Melville, Travis Cox, and Kevin McClusky) showcases the entries and reveals the Top 2 finalist teams. These top two squads advance to a grueling 2-day live showdown on stage at ICC in September, where the audience votes live to crown the champions.