Player select — Oct 10–11, 2026
NewGame
A 24-hour build at UC Santa Cruz Silicon Valley.
— days to go
About us
Who we are
hack.dev is a student team at UC Santa Cruz that builds AI hackathons in Silicon Valley.
The record
Track select
Pick your track
Three tracks, one build. Pick one when you apply, or tell us you are undecided and we will help you land somewhere.
Click a track card to learn more
Timeline
Key dates
- NowApplications openLiveApply any time before the final deadline.
- Sep 9Priority deadlineApply by this date for the best shot at a seat.
- Sep 25Applications close
- Oct 10Doors openKeynote, stage briefings, sponsor workshops.
- Oct 11Demos and awardsJudging by partner engineers. Winners same day, done by 5pm.
Backed by
Sponsors
Anchor sponsor
Want to sponsor?
We work with companies on track naming, prizes, workshops, hardware and mentors. Tell us what you build and we will send the details.
hello@hackdev.orgPlayer 1 – 5
Who runs it
Preet KariaDirectorSelect
Parsh GandhiOrganizerSelect
Ember LuOrganizerSelect
Pranitha RajaaOrganizerSelect
Adhya MaddukuriOrganizerSelectIn partnership with
Insert coin
FAQ
The basics
Is it free?
Yes. Free to enter and free to attend, with food included. The only thing you pay for is getting here.
Who can participate?
Everyone. You do not need to be a UCSC student, and you do not need to have done a hackathon before.
When and where is it?
October 10–11, 2026, at UC Santa Cruz Silicon Valley. The build itself runs 24 hours.
Have you run this before?
Yes. Our previous run was the NVIDIA × ASUS hackathon: 200 builders, 78 submissions and $11K in prizes.
Applying
How do I apply?
Through the application form linked from the Apply button. Applications are open now — the priority deadline is September 9 and applications close September 25.
Do I need a team? How big can it be?
Teams are one to four people, so entering alone is completely fine. We run a team mixer before the build and open communication channels beforehand, so solo applicants can scout teammates and turn up with a team already formed.
What is the difference between the three tracks?
They split by where the model actually runs. Cloud AI is agentic workflows at scale, Local AI is everything running on hardware you can carry, and Physical AI is agents with bodies.
Do I have to pick a track before I apply?
No. Undecided is an option on the form, and you can change your mind up until the event.
When do I hear back?
Decisions go out on a rolling basis rather than all at once, so applying early is worth doing. You will get an email when yours changes.
On the day
What should I bring?
A laptop and its charger. If you plan to stay overnight, bring a sleeping bag.
Is hardware provided?
Yes — hardware will be available for the tracks that need it. We will publish exactly what is on offer closer to the event.
Is there food?
Yes. Meals are provided, along with snacks and drinks throughout.
Can I stay overnight?
Yes, the venue is open through the night. We do not set aside a dedicated sleeping area, so bring a sleeping bag and expect to find a quiet corner.
Do you cover travel?
Not for this event. There is no travel reimbursement, so plan on covering your own way here.
Organisers and sponsors
Who organises it?
hack.dev, a student team at UC Santa Cruz, together with the UCSC GenAI Center and Baskin Engineering.
How can my company sponsor or send mentors?
Email hello@hackdev.org and we will send the details. We work with companies on track naming, prizes, workshops, hardware and mentors.
I have a question that is not answered here.
Email hello@hackdev.org. A person reads it.