One concept in. A working data solution out.
One to two days with your team and ArchitectNow engineers to prove a data concept on Microsoft Data technology. We build together and deploy a real, working solution, in your tenant or our hackathon tenant, then hand you the design and the plan to scale it.
1 to 2 days
Hackathon build, on site or virtual
1
Working Microsoft Data solution, deployed live
2
Hosting options: your tenant or our hackathon tenant
3
Deliverables: design, prototype, scale plan
Pick your hackathon topic
PLATFORM TOPICS · PROVE THE CAPABILITY
·Real-Time Data & Event Stores: act on data as it lands · Fabric RTI
·Ontology for Twins & Agents: shared business meaning · Fabric IQ
·Pipeline Framework: metadata-driven ingestion & validation, no new code
·Unity Catalog on Databricks: governance, lineage & discovery in one place
·AI-Automated Data Engineering: agents draft, test & repair pipelines
·Zero-ETL Mirroring: operational stores live in the lake, no pipelines
·Medallion Lakehouse: raw-to-gold zones on Fabric or Databricks
·Semantic Layer: one governed model for BI and agents · Direct Lake
·Vector & Search Store: your data made retrievable for RAG · AI Search
·DataOps CI/CD: tested, versioned pipeline deployments
BUSINESS OUTCOME TOPICS · PROVE THE VALUE
·Data Agents for Insights: plain-language answers · Fabric / Genie
·Operations Agents: act on what the data says, not just report it
·Executive KPI Copilot: narrated scorecards & variance explanations
·Customer 360: one trusted view of the customer across systems
·Churn & Retention Signals: score the risk, trigger the next best action
·Demand Forecasting: ML forecasts in the flow of planning
·Anomaly & Fraud Detection: real-time flags on transactions & telemetry
·Predictive Maintenance: telemetry plus twins, act before the failure
·Finance Close Copilot: reconciliation & variance explanations
·Report Rationalization: consolidate legacy BI into governed insights
These are examples to start the conversation; the best topic is the one your team already wants to prove. Bring your own.
What you get
Three outcomes, built in the room.
01Recommended Approach & Design
The Microsoft data platform architecture for your topic, with the key decisions documented.
02Working Prototype
A real solution deployed and demonstrated live: no slides, not a mockup.
03Action Plan to Scale
The sequenced steps to take the prototype to production, owners named.
How it works
Six steps. Two before, three in the room, one after.
01 · PRE-HACKATHON
Planning Session
Pick the topic, goal, knowledge sources and Microsoft technologies in scope. Choose hosting, your tenant or ours, and single-team (collaborative) vs multi-team (competitive) format.
02 · PRE-HACKATHON
Readiness & Agenda
Schedule and review the targeted agenda. Confirm Microsoft service and source-knowledge readiness (access, licensing, sample data) and team onboarding steps.
03 · HACKATHON
Vision the Approach
Align on the Microsoft technology approach for the topic and the key design considerations before the build starts.
04 · HACKATHON
Execute the Build
Build hands-on with ArchitectNow engineers guiding side by side: pairing, unblocking, keeping the build on the clock.
05 · HACKATHON
Present the Results
Demo working builds to the wider stakeholder team. Multi-team format: the judging panel scores the builds and names the winner, with prize.
06 · POST-HACKATHON
Operationalize
Agree next steps to take the winning build toward production, a natural entry to a Frontier-funded Fabric Faster or Databricks Driven Pilot.
Why ArchitectNow
●4 Solutions Partner Designations
Data and AI · Digital and App Innovation · Infrastructure Azure · Support Services.
●AI Apps on Azure Specialization
Held by less than 4% of partners. Production AI on Azure, verified by Microsoft.
●Azure AI & Data MVPs on Staff
Engagements led by Microsoft-recognized practitioners. 15+ years on the stack.
●Microsoft Frontier Funding (qualified accounts)
Five times the funding is available now, so there has never been a better time to start. Subject to Microsoft eligibility.