Hackathon
Meet the room. Choose a lane. Build something only your team could make.
Sponsor challenges. Deep build time. Shared meals. A room at the W. One final demo.
- Format
- Three-day build
- Location
- San Francisco
- Stay
- W Hotel
- Partners
- To be revealed
From hotel check-in to final demos.
Choose sponsor lanes, build across three days, then submit your work and face the judges.
Arrive · choose · begin
- Arrive
Check in at the W
Drop your bags, collect your badge, and meet the room.
- Gather
Meet the builders
Find collaborators and get the weekend brief.
- Choose your route
Choose one or more lanes.
Briefs and prizes appear at kickoff. Enter every lane your build truly fits.
- Lane 01Hidden
- Lane 02Hidden
- Lane 03Hidden
- Kickoff
Sponsor briefs revealed
Sponsors reveal the challenge, tools, and prize.
- Build 01
Make the first version
Choose the idea, set the scope, and build a working first pass.
- Dinner
Dinner with every builder
Share dinner, then keep building or rest.
Build · test · gather
- Reset
Breakfast and check-in
Name what works, what is blocked, and what matters next.
- Build 02
Deep work and mentor rounds
Turn the first pass into something useful, clear, and yours.
- Review
Test the work
Test it early, confirm lane fit, and sharpen the demo.
- Dinner
Dinner, then the final push
Eat together. Cut what does not serve the final build.
Finish · judge · celebrate
- Finish
Finish and submit
Finish the core experience. Record a short demo. Submit.
- Judge
Lane review, then final demos
Sponsors review lane fit. Standout builds reach the final panel.
- Finale
Winners announced
We close with the strongest builds and the people behind them.
Make it yours. Make it work.
Judges should understand what you made without a long explanation.
Show what you made.
- Project name and one-line purpose
- Source repository and working demo
- Short video of the project in use
- Chosen lanes and sponsor-tool use
- Team credits and reused or AI-assisted work
Own the work.
- 01
Create the judged work here. Public libraries and starter kits are fine.
- 02
Keep clear version history showing what your team made here.
- 03
Credit reused code, outside assets, and meaningful AI assistance.
- 04
Meet every chosen lane requirement. One project can enter several lanes.
- 05
Submit on time and be ready to show the project working.
- 06
Respect the room. Harassment, cheating, or unsafe behavior means removal.
Original work. Working proof.
Lane judges review sponsor fit. The final panel judges the whole build. Conflicts step aside.
- 01
Original
A distinct idea or a sharp new take on a real problem.
- 02
Useful
Clear value for the people it serves.
- 03
Well made
Sound choices and a working core.
- 04
Clear
A focused demo anyone can follow.
Build. Eat. Rest.
Confirmed builders get W Hotel details, meals, dinners, venue access, and an arrival guide. We will collect dietary and accessibility needs.
- W Hotel stay
- Meals and group dinners
- Breakfast and build fuel
- Walkable event home base
What to know before kickoff.
Sponsors, prizes, dates, and exact times stay hidden for now.
Can I enter more than one lane?
Yes. Enter every lane your project genuinely meets.
Do I need a team before I arrive?
No. Arrive with a team or meet collaborators at check-in. Team-size guidance follows.
Can I use open source or AI?
Yes. Use them as tools, keep clear human ownership, and disclose what you reused or generated.
What should I bring?
Bring a laptop, charger, identification, and what you need for three days. A packing note follows.
What is covered at the W Hotel?
Confirmed builders receive W Hotel details before the event.