DeveloperWeek 2027 Hackathon

Overview

The DeveloperWeek 2027 Hackathon is presented as the nation's largest challenge-driven in-person and online hackathon, running from January 25 to February 11, 2027. It is co-located with DeveloperWeek 2027 and aims to attract over 800 participants from the international developer community. Participants can engage either online from January 25 to February 11, 2027, or in-person for the awards and main events at the Santa Clara Convention Center from February 9-11, 2027. This hybrid format allows for broad participation and encourages collaboration among developers. The hackathon offers developers the opportunity to build mobile or web applications from scratch. Participants can choose to address specific sponsor challenges or create projects based on their own ideas. The event emphasizes innovation and the development of solutions that could potentially evolve into profitable businesses or startups. Judging will occur in two rounds: an initial round to determine the Overall Hackathon Winner based on progress, concept, and feasibility, followed by a Sponsor Round where sponsors will evaluate projects aligned with their specific challenges and award their own prizes.

What to build

Participants are encouraged to build mobile or web applications from scratch. They can choose to solve specific challenges provided by sponsors or develop projects of their own choosing. The goal is to create innovative solutions that demonstrate progress, address real problems, and show feasibility for potential growth into a startup or profitable business.

Prizes

Key dates

• Hackathon Kick-offJanuary 25, 2027
• Online Participation PeriodJanuary 25 – February 11, 2027
• In-Person Event & AwardsFebruary 9-11, 2027
• Prize details for Red Hat Challenge announcedJanuary 2027

Eligibility

Participants must be above the legal age of majority in their country of residence. All countries and territories are eligible to participate, with standard exceptions (which are not detailed on the page but are typically listed in full rules documents).

How to enter

1. Create a DevPost account and click 'Register' on the DevPost DeveloperWeek 2027 Hackathon page.
2. Ensure registration on both Eventbrite and Devpost.
3. Form teams on Devpost.com, utilizing the platform for messaging, chat boards, and communication with sponsors.
4. Review the full Hackathon Instructions.
5. Submit your project via the DevPost platform during the submission window (opens soon).

Submission requirements

• Registration on Devpost is mandatory prior to the Hackathon.
• Teams will be formed on Devpost.com, allowing participants to message each other, use chat boards, and communicate with sponsors.
• Teams must build mobile or web applications from scratch.
• Teams can choose to solve no challenges (build whatever they want) or submit to as many challenges as they wish.
• Two rounds of judging will occur: Round 1 for the Overall Hackathon Winner and Round 2 for Sponsor Challenge winners.
• Round 1 judging criteria: PROGRESS (how much progress is made), CONCEPT (does it solve a real problem?), and FEASIBILITY (could it grow into a startup or profitable business?).

Judging criteria

• PROGRESS: How much progress you make on your submission.
• CONCEPT: Does your submission solve a real problem?
• FEASIBILITY: Could your submission grow/evolve to become a startup or be a profitable business?

Sponsors & partners

Resources

• Full Rules
• DevPost Registration Page
• DeveloperWeek 2027 Hackathon Schedule
• Full Hackathon Instructions