What is UGAHacks?
UGAHacks is UGAHacks' annual 36-hour hackathon event that is centered around software development and innovation in tech. Our hackers will collaborate on software solutions, create prototypes, design innovative projects that exemplify their passion for development, all while building a relationship with the tech community. Whether our hackers indulge in our many workshops, side events, or challenges, we encourage our hackers to step out of their comfort zone and explore new horizons of creativity, innovation, and personal growth!
Theme and Focus
With the theme of Rock n' Roll, UGAHacks X is where hackers can unleash their inner rockstar! Inspired by the rebellious spirit of the rock n' roll movement, we celebrate breaking the mold and embracing bold, unconventional ideas. Just like rock n' roll challenged norms and created a new wave of artistic expression, we encourage hackers to push boundaries, think outside the box, and create solutions that are as innovative as they are daring. Whether you're here to build your portfolio, network with sponsors, or connect with a passionate community, UGAHacks X is your stage to showcase your unique rhythm and make some noise!
A place for everyone
The UGAHacks organization prides itself on our beginner friendly environment. Our ultimate goal is showing others the wonders of building their first project and watching it come alive, or even inspiring them to take their first steps toward their greatness. Through the workshops we host before, during, and after the event, mini-events, and additional resources we provide hackers to enhance ideas and their projects, hackers are made to feel comfortable to thrive in this growing community.
Requirements
Eligibility Requirements
- You must be a registered university student/graduate student to participate
- Teams must be made up of 4 or fewer members to qualify for judging
- Solo projects are allowed
Submission Requirements
Basic Submission Rules
- No cross-submitting (submitting a project from a concurrent hackathon)
- No using code programmed before hacking time starts
- Hacking time starts at 8PM on Feb. 7th
- Must submit project through Devpost to be considered for judging
- Must include First and Last Names of all team members in submission
- Must submit Github Repository
- Must include Read Me
- Include names of team members
- Explain purpose of project
- Tools utilized
- Problems that your team ran into and how your team overcame them
- Must credit any public frameworks utilized (APIs, etc)
- Only 1 project per team/person
- Teams are allowed to submit your project to multiple challaneges
- Judging will be conducted through an Expo based on Devpost submissions that have successfully followed the requirements outlined above
Expo Guidelines for UGAHacks Challeneges
- Your expo table number will be assigned to your team after review of your project meeting all requirements
- Judges will come by your table and your team will have approximately 2-4 minutes to demonstrate the function of your project
- There will be 3 sets of judges that stop by your table to ensure your project is being looked at by a variety of people. Each time, you will have 2-4 minutes.
- This means that your project will be seen about 3 times for fairness of judgement
- The winning projects of the UGAHacks Challenges will announced at Closing Ceremony, along with Sponsor Challeneges
Guidelines for Sponsor Challeneges
- Each company sponsor will be discussing their judging criteria during their workshops. Sponsors will also be available on Slack in their help channels to answer any/all questions
Prizes
UGAHacks Best Overall
Gift Basket with Drone
UGAHacks Best Hardware Hack
Gift Basket with Arduino Kit
UGAHacks AI Track
Gift Basket with 1TB Hard Drive
UGAHacks Game Track
Gift Basket with Portable Monitor
UGAHacks Best First Time Hacker
Gift Basket with Anker Power Bank
Pinata Challenge
Build the best use case of Pinata's APIs or SDKs. Can involve blockchain or crypto but is not a requirement. Pinata will judge based on real world usefulness of the app, how integral Pinata was to building the app, and pure creativity used in the final product.
1st Place: AirPod Max
2nd Place: Apple Watch
3rd Place: Apple HomePod Mini
HPCC Systems Music is Life Challenge
“Music is Life Challenge” where students will use the HPCC Systems platform to transform datasets containing millions of song records to create their perfect playlist.
Bose Headphones, Speakers, Swag Bag, & More
Truist Gamify Financial Analysis
How might we create an experience that gamifies aspects of financial analysis to help improve financial awareness for employees of a public facing company?
$800 in gift cards per team.
Truist Hyper-personalization of Virtual Chat Assistant
How might we create an experience on an app that leverages LLMs to create a unique, personalized and comprehensive view of a client’s spending/financial fitness with contextual recommendations and next steps?
How might we create an experience within an app that leverages LLMs and allows for seamless account management & support—particularly in situations that may be high-stress or urgent?
$400 in giftcards per team.
Best Use of MongoDB Atlas
MongoDB Atlas takes the leading modern database and makes it accessible in the cloud! Get started with a $50 credit for students or sign up for the Atlas free forever tier (no credit card required). Along with a suite of services and functionalities, you'll have everything you need to manage all of your data, and you can get a headstart with free resources from MongoDB University! Build a hack using MongoDB Atlas for a chance to win a M5GO IoT Starter Kit for you and each member of your team.
Best Use of Auth0
Auth0 wants your applications to be secure! Why spend hours building features like social sign-in, Multi-Factor Authentication, and passwordless log-in when you can enable them through Auth0 straight out of the box? Auth0 is free to try, doesn’t require a credit card, and allows for up to 7,000 free active users and unlimited log-ins. Make your new account today and use any of the Auth0 APIs for a chance to win a pair of wireless headphones for you and each member of your team!
Best Use of Streamlit
Want to take your Python skills to the next level? Streamlit is an open-source Python library that makes it easy to share and build custom web apps for machine learning, data science, and more. Instead of writing Python scripts without a UI, you can create a beautiful web app, complete with widgets and data visualizations, and deploy it for free to the Streamlit Community Cloud. You can even build a fully functional LLM-powered app with just 25 lines of code! Hack with Streamlit this weekend for your chance to win an Arduino Tiny ML Kit for you and each member of your team.
Best Domain Name from GoDaddy Registry
GoDaddy Registry is giving you everything you need to be the best hacker no matter where you are. Register your domain name with GoDaddy Registry for a chance to win some amazing prizes!
Best Use of Gen AI
Generative AI is rapidly changing the landscape of software development. This category challenges you to build novel applications that leverage the power of Generative AI APIs. Think outside the box and integrate cutting-edge AI models to create innovative solutions with real-world impact.
To participate, utilize publicly available Generative AI APIs (like those from OpenAI, Anthropic, Hugging Face, Llama, IBM Watson, or Google Gemini) to develop a unique and functional application. This could include:
AI-powered creative tools: Design an app that allows users to generate unique marketing copy, translate languages in real-time, or create personalized learning experiences.
Intelligent assistants and automation: Build a chatbot that can provide insightful customer support, or a system that automates complex tasks using natural language processing.
Next-generation content creation platforms: Develop a platform that empowers users to generate high-quality images, write different kinds of creative text formats, or compose original music with AI assistance.
This is your chance to get hands on with cutting edge tech, put your skills on display, and of course, win some awesome prizes!
Devpost Achievements
Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:
Judges
UGAHacks Organization
UGAHacks Organization
Pinata
HPCC Systems
Truist
Judging Criteria
-
UGAHacks
Judging will be conducted through an Expo based on Devpost submissions that have successfully followed the submission requirements -
Sponsor
Each company sponsor will be discussing their judging criteria during their workshops. They also will be available on Slack in their help channels to answer any/all questions
Questions? Email the hackathon manager
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