Fourteen apps (products) were built and showcased during “AI Hackathon Nepal,” claimed to be the country’s first AI-focused hackathon, held in Kathmandu on Saturday, July 12. The event was organised by ainovators in direct collaboration with Manus AI, a general AI agent company headquartered in Singapore, under the theme “Think, Build, Scale.”
Unlike traditional hackathons, the majority of participants in this event were non-techies who had never written code before. The event aimed to bridge the gap between ideas and finished products—what organisers referred to as the “Prompt-to-Product” distance—demonstrating how AI is transforming who can be a creator in the digital era.
The hackathon was divided into three sessions:
Participants were introduced to Manus AI, created accounts, and learned how to write and improve prompts using tools like ChatGPT in the first session.
They entered their refined prompts into Manus AI, which automatically generated apps. Each participant was provided with a Pro account and credits to build without limitations, the organiser said.
Finally, the participants presented their AI-generated products to their peers, who voted to select the top three ideas.
Over 30 youths working in different domains took part in the event. Organisers highlighted the quality and range of ideas, which included tools for tracking social media misinformation, AI-powered fitness coaches, smart agriculture advisors, and integrated government service platforms.
In a statement released Monday, ainovators said the hackathon showed that traditional programming knowledge was no longer a prerequisite to building software. With tools like Manus AI, even beginners can create functional apps in minutes.
Though AI adoption in Nepal remains limited, organisers said events like this demonstrate the technology’s potential to go beyond content generation, supporting researchers, educators, strategists, and developers alike.
The primary goal was to increase awareness and practical exposure to emerging AI tools among the public, the statement added.
