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A hackathon is a time-limited event where participants work alone or in teams to develop a solution to a challenge, then submit and present their work for evaluation. The usual flow is registration, check-in and orientation, team formation or problem selection, a build period, submission, and judging. Exact rules—including eligibility, team size, deadlines, permitted prior work, deliverables, and scoring—come from the event’s own guide.
What happens before a hackathon?
Before the event, check the organizer’s registration page and rules. They explain who can participate, how to apply, whether teams must register together, what tracks or challenges are available, and when applications or project submissions close. Some events accept individual applications and help participants find teammates; others require a team at registration.
For example, Hackyard Build 2026 accepts individual applications and describes team formation options, while MPOnline’s 2026 Idea & Innovation Hackathon specifies teams of 2–4. Those are event-specific rules, not standard team sizes. The Hackyard application also notes that applicants do not need a finished product at that stage. Read the event’s current guide rather than assuming the same rules apply elsewhere.
What happens at check-in and orientation?
At an in-person event, check-in may involve confirming registration and identity and finding your workspace. An opening session typically introduces the schedule, challenge or tracks, event rules, submission process, and judging approach. Some organizers also explain where to get help or how mentorship and checkpoints work.
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The MPOnline 2026 schedule, for example, places check-in before opening remarks, a theme briefing, team formation, and a walkthrough of rules, judging, and standard operating procedures. Online events may handle these steps through a virtual kickoff instead; the format and itinerary depend on the organizer.
How do teams form and choose a problem?
You may arrive with a team, apply as an individual and meet collaborators, or join a team during an organized formation session. Once the challenges or tracks are explained, a team usually chooses a problem it can address within the event’s time and resources. Organizers may support matching through networking, interest-based introductions, or pre-event orientation.
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Team rules can affect who may join and when a team must be finalized. Confirm the permitted team size and any eligibility requirements before registration, especially if the event has separate tracks or an application-screening stage.
What do participants do during the build period?
The central task is to turn a challenge into a credible solution within the allotted window. Teams define the problem they will tackle, decide what is achievable, build and test a prototype, and prepare the evidence the event requires. The project might involve software, hardware, a service concept, or another kind of solution; do not assume every participant must be an experienced coder.
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Some events provide mentors, scheduled checkpoints, or technical support. Rules also differ on how much work may be done before the event begins, so check whether existing code, designs, or other prior work are allowed. The schedule and permitted starting point are organizer-specific.
What do you submit?
The event guide sets the deadline and the required format. A submission may include a working prototype or demo, a description of the problem and solution, a code repository, technology details, or a presentation—but not every event asks for all of these.
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For example, MPOnline’s 2026 guide asks teams for a working prototype or demo, a source-code repository link, problem and solution descriptions, technology-stack details, and a 5–10 minute pitch presentation of no more than 10 slides. These are requirements for that event, not a general hackathon standard. Check the upload destination, deadline, file or link requirements, and whether a live demo is also expected.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How does project judging work?
Judges evaluate projects against the event’s published rubric. Common dimensions in the cited guidance include:
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- Innovation: what is distinctive about the idea or approach.
- Feasibility and execution: whether the solution could work and whether the team built a credible implementation.
- Problem fit and relevance: how closely the project addresses the stated challenge and whether its intended impact is relevant.
These are useful examples, not a universal scoring formula. An event may use different criteria or weights, so consult its rubric rather than assuming a particular category or percentage applies.
Judging may involve a presentation or demonstration followed by questions. Some events screen submissions or hold multiple rounds, with only selected teams advancing to a finale. MPOnline’s listed schedule, for instance, includes first-round presentations, a qualifier announcement, and a later finale briefing. The number and format of rounds vary by event.
What should you bring to an in-person hackathon?
Use the organizer’s checklist first. A practical starting list is:
- A laptop and its compatible charger.
- Valid ID and registration confirmation, if required for entry.
- Any hardware your project needs and the event permits.
- Personal essentials for the event’s duration.
MPOnline’s 2026 checklist names a laptop, charger, required project hardware, valid ID, registration confirmation, and personal essentials. UN Tech Over also lists ID, a laptop, chargers, and necessary equipment. Confirm venue rules and whether workspace, equipment, or other provisions are supplied; do not assume the same arrangements at every event.
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What should you check in the event guide?
- Eligibility, application or registration deadlines, and any screening stage.
- Team size, team-formation rules, and when teams must be finalized.
- Challenge tracks, permitted prior work, and any required software or hardware.
- Build schedule, submission deadline, required deliverables, and presentation format.
- Judging criteria, scoring weights if stated, and whether evaluation has multiple rounds.
- For in-person events, entry requirements, venue rules, and what participants should bring.
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