Dates

SPARK runs as a 38-hour in-person event from January 30 to February 1, 2026, with final presentations and judging on Sunday.

Eligibility

SPARK is open to undergraduate students of all backgrounds and experience levels who were accepted. All team members must be listed on Devpost and be physically present during final presentations to be eligible for prizes.

Project and Submission Requirements

Teams must submit a functional prototype and a presentation deck that clearly explains the problem, solution, and value. Submissions must be made on Devpost before the stated deadline.

Prizes

Prizes will be awarded across multiple categories, including Top Overall Teams, Best Beginner Hack, and Best Case Pitch, along with additional sponsor-sponsored opportunities and referrals.

Judging Criteria and Winner Selection

Judging takes place over two rounds. Teams are evaluated on idea strength, feasibility, clarity of presentation, technical difficulty, innovation, and how well the solution addresses the case problem, with top teams advancing to a final round.