Hacktech by Caltech 2026

Welcome to Hacktech 2026!April 24–26, 2026 · California Institute of Technology🌐 Important Links (Start Here)👉Live Site (schedule, countdown, logistics):https://hack.caltech.edu/live👉Discord (REQUIRED FOR ALL HACKERS):https://discord.gg/J9k65XQm3f⚠️All participants must be verified in Discord to participate. DO NOT Register on Devpost unless you are VERIFIED in Discord.We use Discord for everything — announcements, updates, logistics.If you were not accepted, you will not be able to verify.Every member of your team must complete this step.🧠 Hacktech 2026Hacktech is Caltech’s annual 36-hour hackathon. For one weekend, you get a room full of people who like building things and the time to actually do it.We have a$50,000+ prize pool, great sponsors, and a mix of talks, workshops, and random late-night energy that makes everything feel a bit chaotic (in a good way).You can build whatever you want, from serious AI systems, weird creative tools, security projects, or the kind of infrastructure that isn’t flashy but actually matters.Build something real. Even if it’s not flashy.🏆 TracksBest Use of AICybersecurity / SafetyCreativity“Not So Sexy”(infrastructure, logistics, systems)🎯 Sponsored ChallengesYC x Hacktech— Reimagine a pre-2022 YC company with AIIronsite— Solve spatial reasoning problemsIFM (K2 Think V2)— Build with a reasoning-focused modelSideshift— Build a strong consumer productPalohouse— Projects closest to becoming a startupListen Labs— Simulate humans or societiesMore details are in the Hacker Packet which can be found in the FAQ section of the Live Site, or in Discord #announcements channel.⚖️ JudgingWe look at:Technical difficultyCreativityImpactExecutionHow it works:Round 1 (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM)Science fair style. You’ll demo your project (~5 minutes) to assigned judges.Round 2 (1:00 PM – 1:30 PM)Top teams present to all judges (~3 minutes). Winners are decided after.Winners are announced at the closing ceremony.📅 ScheduleFull schedule and venue map:https://hack.caltech.edu/live📣 Final NotesYou must be in Discord to participateCheck the live site for updatesBring your Photo ID (Drivers License or Passport) + Valid Student ID to check in