The Google Nano Banana Hackathon is a one-of-a-kind global 48-hour event designed for developers, students, and tech enthusiasts to showcase their creativity and technical skills using Google’s Gemini 2.5 Flash Image model, codenamed “Nano Banana.”
Whether you are a beginner, student, or professional, this hackathon provides hands-on experience with cutting-edge AI tools, mentorship from industry leaders, and opportunities to win a substantial prize pool exceeding $400,000.
It’s more than a competition, it’s a gateway to learning, networking, and showcasing innovation on a global platform.
What is Google Nano Banana Hackathon 2025?
Imagine creating an app that can generate, edit, and enhance images in seconds just by providing natural language instructions. The Google Nano Banana Hackathon gives you exactly that platform! Hosted by Google DeepMind and Cerebral Valley, this hackathon brings together developers from around the world, both virtually and in-person in San Francisco, to compete and innovate using the cutting edge Gemini 2.5 Flash Image API.
With a prize pool exceeding $400,000 and additional partner rewards, participants can gain global recognition while learning from industry experts. The event also provides a free API tier (100 requests/day) for all participants, making it accessible to anyone with creativity and technical skills.
This is not just a coding competition, it’s a chance to turn your ideas into real-world applications, impress judges, and potentially secure partnerships or recognition in the AI community.
Who Can Participate in Google Nano Banana Hackathon?
The Nano Banana Hackathon is designed to be inclusive and encourages participants from all around the world.
Eligibility includes:
- Students, developers, and AI enthusiasts globally.
- Maximum team size of four members.
- Approval required for in-person attendance; online participation is fully supported.
- No restrictions on prior experience, but familiarity with Python, JavaScript, or TypeScript is recommended.
By encouraging diverse teams, the hackathon ensures participants can combine skills in AI, programming, design, product management, and entrepreneurship. This multidisciplinary approach leads to more creative and feasible solutions.
Hackathon Themes and Challenges
Participants will leverage the Nano Banana API to solve real-world problems and showcase innovation. Some example challenges include:
- Social Media & Entertainment: Build apps that generate memes, avatars, or edited images instantly.
- E-commerce: Generate product images with consistent character representation or design mockups for online stores.
- Education & Learning: Create tools for educational content generation, interactive illustrations, or visual explanations.
- Healthcare & Accessibility: Innovate solutions for patient education, assistive technology, or image-based diagnostics.
The hackathon emphasizes practical impact participants should think beyond technology and focus on how their solutions address real user needs. and innovation while providing mentorship and resources to guide participants.
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Program Structure and Duration of Nano Banana Hackathon
The Google Nano Banana Hackathon is structured to allow participants to focus on creativity and execution within a defined timeline:
- Dates: September 6–7, 2025 (48 hours)
- Mode: Hybrid – In-person (San Francisco) + Online (Kaggle)
- API Access: Free tier of 100 requests/day for all participants
- Submissions: Must be uploaded on the official Kaggle competition page by September 7, 2025, 11:59 PM PT
This clear structure ensures participants can plan their project timeline, manage tasks, and submit on time, even in a high-pressure hackathon environment
Registration and Application Process for Google Nano Banana Hackathon
Step 1: Team Formation
Form a team of up to four members, ensuring complementary skills in programming, AI, and design. Teams with diverse skill sets have better chances of success.
Step 2: Application Submission
Submit your application through the official hackathon portal for approval. In-person participants require confirmation, while online participants can join directly.
Step 3: Get API Access
Once approved, obtain the free Nano Banana API key (100 requests/day) to start building projects.
Step 4: Project Development
Use Python, JavaScript, or TypeScript to integrate Gemini 2.5 Flash Image into your application. Explore developer tutorials and GitHub resources for best practices.
Step 5: Submission
Upload a 2-minute demo video, project repository, and 200-word write-up explaining how Nano Banana features were utilized.
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Prizes, Rewards, and Recognition after Google Nano Banana Hackathon
- Total Prize Pool: $400,000+
- Gemini API Credits: $50,000
- Additional partner rewards from ElevenLabs and Fal AI
- Recognition for top projects includes global exposure, mentorship, and industry networking.
The hackathon ensures winners are rewarded not only monetarily but also with tools and visibility to continue their innovation journey.
What Is Nano Banana?
“Nano Banana” is the codename for Gemini 2.5 Flash Image, Google’s latest AI model for image generation and editing. Key features include:
- Lightning-speed image generation (1–2 seconds per image)
- Consistent character representation across edits
- Natural language instructions for easy image editing
- Context-aware real-world knowledge integration
- Advanced image creation, restoration, fusion, and multi-input generation
This model provides participants with a unique opportunity to build high-quality, real-world applications quickly.
Submission and Judging Criteria during Hackathon
Each team must submit:
- 2-minute demo video hosted publicly
- Public repository/project link with setup instructions
- 200-word write-up on Nano Banana usage
Judging Criteria:
| Criteria | Weightage |
|---|---|
| Innovation & Wow Factor | 40% |
| Technical Execution | 30% |
| Impact & Utility | 20% |
| Presentation Quality | 10% |
Teams are evaluated on creativity, feasibility, and technical excellence.
Important Dates about Nano Banana Hackathon
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Competition Dates | September 6–7, 2025 |
| Prize Pool | $400,000+ |
| Main Model | Gemini 2.5 Flash Image (Nano Banana) |
| Submission Platform | Kaggle (official competition page) |
| Free API Tier | 100 requests/day |
Tips to Excel in Google Nano Banana Hackathon
Build a Diverse, Multi-Skilled Team
Hackathons reward teams that combine different skill sets programming, AI, design, and product strategy. Having a mix of skills ensures your project is technically strong, and solves a real-world problem.
2. Focus on Innovation and Real-World Impact
Instead of just creating a flashy demo, design a project that addresses actual user needs. Judges look for solutions that have the potential to make a real difference.
3. Maximize API Usage Efficiently
The Nano Banana API allows 100 requests per day during the hackathon. Plan how to allocate API requests wisely test your models, optimize prompts, and avoid wasting requests on repetitive trials.
4. Practice Prompting and Image Editing
Spend time learning how to instruct Nano Banana effectively. Use natural language to edit images, generate characters consistently, and explore fusion or restoration features.
5. Document Your Project Clearly
Judges review the project repository and write-ups carefully. Include setup instructions, code comments, and explanations of how you used the API.
6. Create an Impactful Demo Video
A 2-minute demo video is crucial. Focus on showcasing how the project works, its main features, and the benefits to users.
7. Prioritize Time Management
With only 48 hours, effective time management is key. Plan your workflow, assign tasks to team members based on strengths, and set mini-deadlines to complete each feature.
8. Seek Feedback Early
If possible, get early feedback from peers or mentors. This can help identify bugs, improve user experience, and refine your project before final submission.
FAQs
What is the Google Nano Banana Hackathon?
It’s a 48-hour global hackathon hosted by Google DeepMind and Cerebral Valley where participants create innovative applications using Gemini 2.5 Flash Image (Nano Banana) API.
Who can participate in the Google Nano Banana Hackathon?
Open to students, developers, and tech enthusiasts worldwide. Teams can have a maximum of four members, with both in-person and online participation options.
What is Nano Banana?
Nano Banana is the codename for Gemini 2.5 Flash Image, known for fast, high-quality image generation, character consistency, and advanced image editing using natural language instructions.
What are the prizes for Nano Banana Hackathon?
The hackathon offers $400,000+, $50,000 in Gemini API credits, and additional awards from partners like ElevenLabs and Fal AI.
How do I submit my project?
Submit a 2-minute demo video, a public repository/project link, and a 200-word write up on Nano Banana usage via the official Kaggle competition page.
Can I participate in the Hackathon online?
Yes, the hackathon is fully accessible online via Kaggle, while in-person participation is optional in San Francisco.
What are the judging criteria? for Google Nano Banana Hackathon?
Judging is based on Innovation & Wow Factor (40%), Technical Execution (30%), Impact & Utility (20%), and Presentation Quality (10%).
Conclusion: Should you join Google Nano Banana Hackathon?
The Google Nano Banana Hackathon is a remarkable opportunity for developers, students, and AI enthusiasts to innovate, collaborate, and showcase their skills on a global platform.
With its cutting-edge Gemini 2.5 Flash Image API, substantial prizes, mentorship, and worldwide exposure, participants can turn creative ideas into impactful applications.
Whether you aim to win awards, gain experience, or explore AI driven image generation, this hackathon is the perfect launchpad for your tech journey.
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