Dogathon: AI Valley × Pet Zen, with Arcade.dev + Emergent
Dogathon — AI Valley × PetZen 🐶
A hackathon where every project has a real dog on the other end of it.
200 developers, designers, AI builders, vet techs, and shelter volunteers are coming together to build tools that directly support rescue operations and dog adoption.
The day begins with rescue dogs meeting participants on-site. Teams will then spend the rest of the hackathon building products that help shelters, rescues, fosters, adopters, and dogs themselves — from adoption matching tools and volunteer coordination systems to AI copilots for rescue operations.
Our rescue partner will be present throughout the event, so anyone who forms a connection with a dog during the morning meet-and-greet can begin the adoption process on-site.
Not another demo-day hackathon.
Build something that actually helps a living being.
🐾 What to expect:
Real rescue dogs on-site
Builders, designers, and animal advocates
AI + software projects for rescue operations
Mentors from tech + pet care
Demos, prizes, and adoption opportunities
A high-signal, mission-driven community
Meet the dogs in the morning.
Build for them in the afternoon.
The House:
Rescue Partner
We’re partnering with Copper’s Dream to bring adoptable dogs on-site and connect builders directly with real rescue and adoption needs.
Lead Sponsor
Arcade.dev is the actions runtime for AI agents, giving agents secure, delegated access to the tools people already use.
🏆 Arcade.dev Challenge Track
Best Agent That Actually Does the Work, presented by Arcade.dev
Rescues operate across Gmail, Sheets, Slack, and shared calendars. Build an agent that takes real action across those systems—filing adoption follow-ups, updating foster rosters, scheduling vet visits, or messaging volunteers.
Build on Arcade.dev and create an agent that finishes the job, not one that only summarizes it. Every participant will receive free Arcade access for the hackathon.
🛠️ Arcade.dev Workshop
Building Agents That Actually Do the Work
Led by Thierry Damiba, Member of GTM Staff at Arcade.dev, this 20-minute walkthrough will show teams how to connect their agents to the tools rescue organizations already use.
Community Sponsor
Emergent is an AI-powered platform for turning ideas into working products, helping builders go from prompt to deployed application quickly.
For Dogathon, Emergent is supporting the builder community with $2,500 in platform credits, for the top 3 winners.
Giving standout teams additional resources to prototype and launch rescue-focused tools after the hackathon.
Participants are free to use Emergent wherever it fits their project and broader technical stack.
Supporting Sponsor
Morgan Stanley supports Dogathon’s builder programming, resources, and rescue-focused impact.
Represented by Arch Hoffman, Senior Vice President and Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley.
UNO Group
Dogathon is supported by UNO GROUP, a Bay Area real estate team founded by Keller Williams Realtor Huili Liao, helping professionals and families with buying, selling, relocation, investments, and more.
If you’re looking to rent, buy, sell, invest, or find office space in the Bay Area, join UNO GROUP’s WhatsApp community for resources and opportunities.
Schedule
9:00 AM — Doors open + check-in at The House by Edge & Node
10:00 AM — Opening remarks, challenge briefing and problem discovery with rescue partners and team formation
10:30 AM — Outdoor dog adoption and vendor area opens on Presidio Lawn #3
11:00 AM — Arcade.dev workshop: Building Agents That Actually Do the Work
12:30 PM — Lunch indoors and open building continues
1:30 PM — Mentor office hours, sponsor support, and product feedback
3:00 PM — Outdoor lawn portion closes and vendor/rescue breakdown begins
5:00 PM — Project submission deadline
5:30 PM — Final demos from selected teams
6:30 PM — Awards, $10K+ in prizes, and rescue impact moment
7:00 PM — Community hangout, food, and networking
9:00 PM — Event ends
AI Valley is a community for exceptional first-generation builders, founders, and creators. We curate high-signal hackathons, workshops, and gatherings where ambitious people find collaborators, mentors, and real opportunities. If you care about who you build with as much as what you build, this is your place.
🌐 Website: https://aivalley.io
📅 Events: https://lu.ma/aivalley
👥 Community (Discord): Join Discord Server
📰 Newsletter: https://aivalleyio.substack.com
🔗 All links: https://aivalley.io/links