Questions, answered straight.

Read top to bottom.

01Who can join?

Open to MLT alumni, the MLT20 conference community, and partner-network builders. Any background. Any skill level. If you can write a sentence describing what you want to build, you can participate.

02Do I need to know how to code?

No. The whole point is that the modern AI toolchain has flattened the build curve. Lovable, Google AI Studio, and v0 let non-technical participants ship full applications. Engineers can go deeper with Cursor and Claude Code. Both win.

03Solo or team?

Either. Solo is fine. Teams up to four people. We'll help you find teammates in Gather during build week if you'd like a team.

04Virtual or in person?

Virtual all week. The live finalist showcase on May 14 is in person at the MLT20 conference (NYC Hilton Midtown). Finalists who travel to attend get a conference pass and hotel covered.

05How much does it cost?

Free for the MLT community. Sponsor seats are available — see the Sponsors section.

06Where does the building actually happen?

Async on your own machine, with live touchpoints — kickoff, mentor hours, and demo day. Submission details go out by email at kickoff.

07Who owns what I build?

You do. MLT and WNCP AI claim no IP rights to your project. We ask only for permission to feature winners and finalists in the recap and case study. You keep the code, the trademark, and the company.

08What gets judged?

Did it ship? Does it work for a real person? Does it answer one of the three prompts? Is there a plausible path to sustainability — funding, paying users, or measurable impact? Full rubric publishes at kickoff.

09Can I submit an existing project?

No. New ideas only — not for already-funded ventures. Build something new during the build weekend.

10What do finalists get?

Top 3 pitch live at MLT20 on May 14. Finalists who attend in person get a conference pass + hotel covered. Winner gets cash + credits + an audience with MLT senior leadership.