Next Byte Hacks V5

Overview

Next Byte Hacks V5 is an open-ended, online hackathon presented by Next Byte Hacks. This event welcomes everyone, particularly those new to hackathons, offering an opportunity to develop impactful and innovative projects. Participants are encouraged to build stunning projects, form effective teams, and compete for various prizes. The hackathon is open to creators of all skill levels, allowing for a wide range of project types including AI, applications, hardware, and social good solutions. Beyond competition, the event focuses on learning new skills, collaborating with others, and creating something meaningful. It serves as a platform for participants to showcase their creativity and technical abilities. To participate, individuals need to register, form or join a team, and brainstorm ideas. It is crucial to review the rules, understand the judging criteria, and gather any necessary tools or APIs. Once the building phase commences, participants will develop their projects and prepare a comprehensive Devpost submission, including a video, code link, and screenshots. Eligibility is broad, covering individuals above the legal age of majority in their country of residence, with specific mention that students are welcome and companies/professional organizations are excluded. The hackathon is accessible globally, with standard country/territory exceptions. The deadline for submissions is October 31, 2026, at 5:00 PM EDT.

What to build

Participants are encouraged to create any software or hardware project during the hackathon. All ideas are welcome, including but not limited to AI/ML, apps, websites, tools, games, social good projects, or anything innovative. While open-source libraries and templates may be used, the core development work must be completed during the event. Projects can be developed individually or in teams.

Prizes

Key dates

• Deadline2026-10-31T17:00:00-04:00

Eligibility

Participants must be above the legal age of majority in their country of residence. Students are specifically welcome. Companies and professional organizations are excluded from participation. The hackathon is open to all countries/territories, excluding standard exceptions.

How to enter

1. Register for the hackathon.
2. Form a team or join an existing one.
3. Brainstorm project ideas.
4. Review the rules and judging criteria.
5. Gather any necessary tools or APIs.
6. Begin building the project once the event opens.
7. Prepare and submit the Devpost submission with a video, code link, and screenshots.

Submission requirements

• Project Description: What it does, the problem it solves, and key features.
• Demo Video (1–3 min): A screen recording or live demo showcasing the project's functionality.
• GitHub Repo: A public code repository with setup instructions.
• Screenshots: At least 2–3 images of the project.
• Devpost Page: Including team information, tools used, challenges faced, lessons learned, and future plans.

Judging criteria

• Impact: Will the project be useful and impactful in the real world?