TechCommons Hacks V2 - Hacks to Inspire

Overview

TechCommons Hacks V2: Hacks to Inspire is an online, student-led hackathon aimed at engaging young innovators in transforming ideas into functional technology. The event encourages participants to identify real-world problems, design creative solutions, and develop working projects. It also serves as an opportunity for students to enhance their skills in programming, design, problem-solving, and collaboration. The hackathon welcomes both experienced coders and those new to building projects, providing a platform to experiment, learn, and create alongside peers. Participants are not required to have a pre-conceived perfect idea but should be ready to develop one during the event. The competition emphasizes building original, useful projects with a clear purpose. All technology-based projects that address a real problem or create a meaningful opportunity are eligible, including websites, applications, games, AI tools, data projects, or educational platforms. Projects must be developed during the hackathon. A total of $29,900+ in cash and other prizes are available, distributed across various categories including overall Winner, Runner Up, Impact Award, People's Choice Award, and Best Beginner Project. To be eligible for prizes, all participants must join the official Discord server. The judging criteria include Innovation & Creativity, Impact & Relevance, Technical Execution, Design & User Experience, and Presentation & Explanation. Submissions require a working prototype, source code, a 2-3 minute demo video, and a project description.

What to build

Build a technology-based project that addresses a real problem or creates a meaningful opportunity. This can include a website, app, game, AI tool, data project, educational platform, or another creative use of technology. Projects should be original, useful, and designed with a clear purpose, and must be developed during the hackathon.

Prizes

Key dates

• Hackathon beginsSeptember 17, 2026 at 3:00am EDT
• Deadline for SubmissionsSeptember 17, 2026 at 5:00pm AEST

Eligibility

Ages 13 to 20 only. Participants must be students. Companies and professional organizations are excluded from participation. Open to all countries/territories, excluding standard exceptions.

How to enter

1. Join the hackathon through Devpost.
2. Join the Discord server: https://discord.gg/4JVAKgK7c (required for prize eligibility).

Submission requirements

• Project name and short description.
• Working prototype or demonstration of your project.
• Source code, such as a GitHub repository.
• 2–3 minute demo video showing your project in action.
• Project description explaining the problem, your solution, how you built it, and its potential impact.
• Team member names (as they would like on their certificates) and each member’s contribution.

Judging criteria

• Innovation & Creativity (25%): How original is the idea? Does the project approach its problem in a creative or distinctive way?
• Impact & Relevance (25%): Does the project address a genuine problem or need? How useful could the solution be to its intended users or community?
• Technical Execution (20%): How effectively has the project been built? Judges will consider functionality, technical complexity, and appropriate use of tools and technologies.
• Design & User Experience (15%): Is the project intuitive, accessible, and thoughtfully designed? Does the interface or overall experience support its intended purpose?
• Presentation & Explanation (15%): How clearly does the team communicate the problem, solution, development process, and final product? The demonstration should show what was actually achieved.