Next Founders Hackathon

Overview

The Next Founders Hackathon, organized by a Student Organization, is a virtual event designed to help aspiring founders transform ideas into functional products. The hackathon addresses the challenge that many good startup ideas fail due to technical barriers, lack of resources, and an unclear path from conception to realization, as necessary tools and mentorship are often inaccessible. Participants are tasked with creating a product, platform, or tool that solves a genuine problem, akin to a startup venture. The solution should demonstrate clear market potential, identify a user base, and possess the fundamental structure of a scalable business. The goal is to develop something that feels like the initial version of a company ready for launch. The hackathon encourages projects in various focus areas, including 'Problem Solvers' for everyday industry pain points, 'Consumer Apps' for general use, 'B2B Tools' for business efficiency, and 'Underserved Markets' for overlooked communities. This open-ended challenge is beginner-friendly and welcomes low/no-code solutions. Submissions require a 5-minute video demonstration covering the problem addressed, a walkthrough of the codebase and architecture, a real-time project demo, and an explanation of the solution's scalability. Winning teams will receive cash prizes for the top three placements, with a total prize pool of $275.

What to build

Participants are challenged to create a product, platform, or tool that solves a real problem, similar to how a startup would. The solution should have genuine market potential, a clear user base, and the basic structure of a business that could grow. The focus is on building the first version of a company that participants would want to launch. Projects can fall into categories such as Problem Solvers (tools for everyday industries), Consumer Apps (products for general users), B2B Tools (software for businesses), or solutions for Underserved Markets.

Prizes

Key dates

• Deadline2026-10-15T17:00:00-04:00

Eligibility

Ages 13 to 22 only. Students only. Companies/professional organizations are excluded from participation. Open to all countries/territories, excluding standard exceptions.

How to enter

1. Join the hackathon.
2. Submit a 5-minute video demonstration of your project by the deadline.

Submission requirements

• Project submission must include a 5-minute video demonstration.
• The video should cover: The Problem (specific technical or social challenge), The Build (codebase, architecture, stack), The Demo (project working in real time via screen share), and Scalability (how the project handles more data or users).

Judging criteria

• Technical Execution (25%): Does the project actually work, and did the team show a strong grasp of their tech stack?
• Innovation & UX (25%): Did the team come up with an original or clever idea? Is the interface intuitive and the user flow easy to follow for the end user?
• Business & Finance (25%): Does the submission include a realistic business model, revenue streams, and a clear path to financial sustainability?
• Communication (25%): Does the video show a deep understanding of the product, its technical architecture, and its target consumers?