Dates

  • Event Date: Friday, February 6, 2026.
  • Submission Deadline: All projects must be submitted via Devpost by 5:30 PM PST on February 6, 2026.

Eligibility

  • This hackathon is exclusively open to currently enrolled students at Carnegie Mellon University Silicon Valley (CMU-SV).

  • Participants must compete in teams of 2 to 4 members.

Project and Submission Requirements

  • Originality: All code and designs must be created during the 6-hour hacking period. Pre-existing projects are not allowed, though the use of open-source libraries and APIs is encouraged.

  • Track Selection: Each team must select one of the three provided startup problem statements to solve.

  • Deliverables: A complete submission includes a project description, a link to a public GitHub repository, and presentation slides/media.

Prizes

  • Interview Guarantee: The winning team of each track will receive a guaranteed first-round interview with the respective startup's hiring team.

  • Non-Transferable: Prizes (interviews) are specific to the winning team members and cannot be transferred or exchanged for cash.

Judging Criteria and Winner Selection

  • Projects will be judged on Technical Execution, Problem-Solving Fit, Innovation & Creativity and Presentation Quality.

  • Decisions made by the judges are final.

Code of Conduct

To ensure a positive and productive environment for everyone, all participants must adhere to the following guidelines:

  • Professionalism: Participants are expected to treat all fellow attendees, staff, mentors, and startup founders with respect and courtesy at all times.

  • Integrity: Plagiarism of any form is strictly prohibited. All code must be original work created during the event. Providing false background information or misrepresenting your skills is also grounds for disqualification.

  • Safety & Compliance: All participants must comply with the Hack Code of Conduct and follow all safety regulations of the NASA Research Park.