What Is the Sea & OpenAI Codex Hackathon?
The hackathon is a one-day, in-person competition that lets developers use OpenAI Codex – an AI system that writes code from natural-language prompts. Participants build real-world apps, automate tasks, or create new features for Sea’s platforms such as Shopee, Garena, or SeaMoney.
Key Details & Timeline
- 📅 Applications open: 11 May 2026
- ⏰ Application deadline: 28 May 2026
- ✅ Winners notified: 1 June 2026
- 🚀 Hackathon date: 6 June 2026, 08:30 – 21:00 SGT
- 📍 Venue: 5 Science Park Drive, Shopee Building, Singapore 118265
- 💰 Prize pool: Up to US$30,000 in OpenAI API credits + Sea ecosystem perks
Who Can Join?
Teams of 3-4 members are welcome. You can be a student, a freelance developer, or a professional engineer. The only rule is that every team member must be present in Singapore for the full day.
How to Register
1. Visit the official event page on Sea’s website.
2. Fill out the short application form (team name, brief project idea, skill set).
3. Submit before 28 May 2026.
4. Wait for the email confirmation on 1 June 2026.
Link: Sea – Codex Hackathon Registration
What Participants Will Get
- 🔧 On-site guidance: OpenAI engineers and Sea product experts will mentor teams throughout the day.
- 📚 Learning resources: Access to Codex documentation, sample code libraries, and Sea’s API sandbox.
- 🏆 Prizes: Winners receive up to US$30,000 in OpenAI API credits, exclusive Sea partnership opportunities, and media coverage.
Why This Hackathon Matters
It is the first regional Codex event in the Asia Pacific, linking two of the biggest tech ecosystems in the area. The hackathon aims to:
- Accelerate AI-assisted development across Southeast Asian markets.
- Show how Codex can improve workflow speed for e-commerce, gaming, and fintech apps.
- Build a community of developers who will continue to create AI-powered solutions for Sea’s platforms.
Future Stops in the Series
After Singapore, the series will travel to:
| Country | Target month (2026) |
|---|---|
| Indonesia | July |
| Taiwan | September |
| Vietnam | November |
Each location will follow a similar format, offering local developers a chance to experiment with Codex and connect with OpenAI and Sea teams.
Tips for a Winning Project
✔️ Keep the scope small – a single feature that can be demoed in 30 mins.
✔️ Use Sea’s public APIs (Shopee, Garena, SeaMoney) to add real data.
✔️ Highlight how Codex reduced coding time (show before/after snippets).
✔️ Prepare a clear, 2-minute pitch with demo and impact metrics.
Conclusion
The Sea & OpenAI Codex Hackathon is a unique chance for Asia Pacific developers to test AI-coding tools on real products, win valuable credits, and join a growing community. Register before 28 May 2026 and turn your ideas into a working prototype in just one day.
