Bitmovin regularly hosts two-day hackathons, held quarterly, to give engineers the chance to step away from their daily work and focus on creative ideas they would like to see become reality. In our latest hackathon, which was supported by Google, teams explored new technologies, collaborated across departments, and built working prototypes in just 48 hours. The event struck the perfect balance between fun and technical challenges, giving participants the freedom to experiment and push the boundaries of what’s possible in streaming workflows. It showcased the creativity, teamwork, and curiosity that define Bitmovin’s culture.
In this blog, we’ll take you behind the scenes of Bitmovin’s latest hackathon, supported by Google, where teams explored creative ideas around streaming, AI, and monetization. You’ll discover how participants used cutting-edge tools to prototype solutions and how these projects are inspiring the next wave of innovation at Bitmovin.
What teams had access to during the hackathon
The latest hackathon stood out for how teams applied advanced technologies to solve challenges in streaming, AI, and monetization. With support from Google, participants could test powerful tools that are rarely part of their day-to-day workflows. These platforms gave them the ability to prototype quickly and explore creative solutions beyond their regular scope of work. The technologies they used included:
- Vertex AI and Gemini models – powering smarter AI-driven workflows
- Google Firebase Studio – enabling rapid prototyping of video coding and playback features
- Google ADK – used to build autonomous agents that simplify complex streaming tasks
- Model Context Protocol – enhancing AI contextual awareness for improved accuracy
This hands-on access to cutting-edge tools enabled teams to move from concept to working prototype in just two days, creating ideas that could shape Bitmovin’s future innovation.
Highlights from the hackathon
Bitmovin teams developed seven innovative projects, each tackling unique challenges in streaming, AI, and content management. The range of ideas reflected both technical expertise and creative thinking, with several prototypes showing strong potential to influence future product development. From improving accessibility to boosting developer productivity, these projects demonstrate how hackathons can spark meaningful solutions.
The standout projects included:
🏆 Voice Activated Player Experience (V.A.P.E.): A voice-controlled playback system designed to improve accessibility and user interaction.
🏆 Censorship Kit: A practical toolset for detecting and managing sensitive content to support compliance and moderation workflows.
🏆 SEARCH Assistant: An AI-powered internal search tool helping developers locate code and documentation faster, streamlining collaboration.
These prototypes underline the value of giving engineers space to experiment and how their ideas can drive innovation across Bitmovin’s platform.
How hackathon ideas shape future workflows
Google’s support helped make this hackathon a success, providing Bitmovin teams with access to platforms and tools that expanded what they could build. Their contribution enabled engineers to prototype ambitious ideas at speed and explore technologies outside their usual workflows. This collaboration also reinforced how external partnerships can inspire innovation and help bring creative concepts to life. Many of the projects developed during the hackathon are already influencing Bitmovin’s roadmap, with features that have the potential to improve workflows and deliver more value to customers in the future.
Until next time – stay curious, stay creative, and keep building.
