USC | Build with Trae and MiniMax

24 hours. One challenge. Build an AI agent that makes life easier.Please also sign up here: https://luma.com/k5dc1l0d  Build with TRAE is a community event hosted by TRAE Fellows. A 24-hour hackathon where teams of 2–5 build AI-powered agents for productivity and life hacks. You'll use TRAE AI as your coding environment and Minimax models as the brain behind your agent. Whether you're automating your inbox, building a study assistant, or creating something nobody's thought of yet — if it saves time or makes life better, it belongs here. This isn't a lecture. It's not a workshop. You show up, you build something real, and you demo it. Finished or not, polished or rough — that's the point.

Hacking starts: March 27, 2026, at 6:30 pm PT (virtual kickoff)

In-person day: March 28, 2026, at TCC Franklin Suite, USC (3607 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles, CA 90089)

Code freeze: March 28 at 6:30 pm PT

Demos & awards: March 28 evening
March 27 at 6:30 pm, we go live on Discord with the rules, theme, and start signal. You hack from wherever you are — your dorm, your apartment, a library, wherever. March 28 morning, everyone comes to the TCC Franklin Suite at USC to continue hacking in person, watch sponsor keynotes, get help from mentors, and prep for demos. Code freeze hits at 6:30 pm. Then you present what you built. ⚠️ You must physically check in at TCC Franklin Suite by 11:00 am on March 28 for your submission to be eligible for judging. No check-in, no prizes. Build an agent that automates, simplifies, or improves something people deal with every day. Some ideas to get you started:
A study agent that photographs your syllabus and builds a daily study plan
An email triage agent that prioritizes your inbox and drafts replies
A meal planner that suggests recipes based on what's in your fridge
A personal finance agent that tracks spending and flags unusual charges
A meeting prep agent that summarizes docs and generates talking points
You're not limited to these. If it solves a real problem and it's powered by AI, build it. TRAE AI — Your development environment. An AI-powered IDE that helps you write code, debug, and ship faster. Think of it as your coding co-pilot. This is where you build. Minimax — The AI models powering your agent. Text generation, vision, speech, video — pick the modalities your agent needs. This is what makes it smart. Photon (bonus track) — Deploy your agent into a real messaging conversation. Instead of demoing on localhost, your agent lives in iMessage. Requires macOS. See bonus prize below. Vibe coding is a style of building where AI assists you throughout the entire development process. You bring the idea and creative direction. The AI helps you code it, debug it, and ship it. It's not AI doing the work for you — it's AI building with you. That's why beginners can ship real projects in 24 hours and experienced builders can go way further than they normally would.
🥇 1st Place: $800
🥈 2nd Place: $500
🥉 3rd Place: $200
🏆 Photon Bonus Prize: $1,000 + entry into the Photon Residency Program — for the best team that deploys their agent into a messaging platform using the Photon SD
Plus: direct internship and job referral opportunities from TRAE AI and Minimax for standout participants. You. Seriously. You don't need to be an expert coder. Teams need developers, but they also need people who can brainstorm ideas, design interfaces, and deliver a great demo pitch. CS, Data Science, Engineering, Design, Business — all welcome. If you're curious about building with AI, this is for you.
Teams of 2–5 people
At least one member must write code
You can come with a pre-formed team or find teammates at the event
Solo signups will be matched via Discord before hacking starts
BIA@USC Technology Support Partners: TRAE AI, Minimax Track Partner: Photon.codes Community Partners: UCLA CSSA, UCLA FIT, 合抱之木, USC SESE, Claremont CSA Food Partner: 饭团外卖 Fantuan Delivery