Key facts
- Type
- Competition
- Provider
- Dialogate
- Deadline
- 9/5/2026
In short
VoltHacks 2026 is an online hardware, IoT, and AI hackathon for students aged 13+ to build real-world solutions, offering over $32,585 in cash and other prizes.
VoltHacks
By Dialogate
CompetitionAccepting applications nowApply by 9/5/202634 days left
$32,585+
Total prizes
Online
Format
Students 13+
Who can participate
Sep 5, 2026
Submission Deadline
IoT, ML/AI, Hardware
Themes
Overview
VoltHacks 2026 is a hackathon that challenges participants to design and build real-world solutions by integrating hardware, IoT, and AI. The event encourages innovation beyond traditional software, focusing on systems that interact with the physical world through sensors, embedded systems, automation, and intelligent devices. The hackathon provides tracks such as Robotics & Embedded Systems, AI + Hardware Integration, Smart Health Technology, Sustainability & Smart Cities, and Open Innovation, or any engineering-based project with impact. Participants are expected to push their creativity and engineering skills to solve meaningful problems across various domains. VoltHacks welcomes individuals of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced hardware developers, fostering an environment for learning, collaboration, and building impactful projects. Projects will be judged on innovation, technical complexity, and real-world applicability, with awards recognizing outstanding achievements.
What to build
Build a project related to one or more of the VoltHacks themes, such as IoT systems, robotics and automation, AI-powered tools, embedded systems, smart devices, or sustainability/health technology solutions. Projects can be hardware-based, software-based, or a combination of both, focusing on interacting with the physical world.
Prizes
Grand Prize
Plus $300 USD in Featherless.ai credits and CodeCrafters VIP Membership (2 Years) valued at $720 per team member.
$1,020 in cash
XYZ Domain Awards & Dialogate Lifetime Subscriptions
Awarded to 15 winners. Includes a free .xyz domain for one year (approx. $15 value each) and a free lifetime subscription to Dialogate ($60 value each).
$75 in cash
Second Place
Plus CodeCrafters VIP Membership (1 Year) valued at $360 per team member.
$360 in cash
Third Place
Plus CodeCrafters VIP Membership (6 Months) valued at $180 per team member.
$180 in cash
Tin Computer Growth Credits
Up to 100 eligible teams can each receive $299 in Tin Computer Growth Plan credits after submitting their projects. This is a non-cash prize.
$299 in credits
Dialogate Lifetime Subscription
Every VoltHacks participant (up to 9,999 winners) will receive a complimentary lifetime Dialogate Pro subscription after the event.
Lifetime Subscription
Additional Prizes Coming Soon
More prizes are currently being gathered by the VoltHacks team through sponsor partnerships and community support. Additional awards may be announced throughout the event.
Undisclosed
Key dates
- Submissions BeginMay 22, 2026 at 12:00 AM EDT
- Submission DeadlineSeptember 05, 2026 at 5:00 PM EDT
- Judging BeginsSeptember 06, 2026 at 9:00 AM EDT
- Judging EndsSeptember 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM EDT
- Winners AnnouncedSeptember 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM EDT
Eligibility
Participants must be ages 13 or older and currently enrolled as students. Companies or professional organizations are excluded from participation. The hackathon is open to participants from all countries and territories, with standard exceptions.
How to enter
- Register individually or with a team on Devpost.
- Brainstorm a project idea related to the challenge themes.
- Build your project during the hackathon period.
- Submit your final project on Devpost before the deadline.
Submission requirements
- Project name and short description
- Explanation of the problem your project solves
- Photos, screenshots, or prototype images
- Source code or GitHub repository (if applicable)
- List of technologies/components used
- Clear explanation of how the project works and what makes it innovative (for teams)
Judging criteria
- Innovation and Creativity: How original and creative the project idea is, including unique approaches to solving real-world problems.
- Technical Complexity: The depth of engineering, programming, hardware integration, or system design.
Sponsors & partners
CodeCraftersFeatherless.aiGen.xyzDialogateTin ComputerEventopia