ABOUT THE CHALLENGE

Hack_NCState is NC State's Annual Hackathon, available for to all college and high school students! Meet other college students and form teams of up to 4 different people to create a project that fits into one of our track descriptions for a chance to win one of our listed prizes!

Our hackathon operates in EST. All projects that are submitted through DevPost before the 11 AM deadline on February 9, 2025 and are eligible for tech prizes. All submitting teams will be eligible for corporate challenge prizes as determined by our sponsors.

February 8, 2025

9 AM Check In @ Hunt Library/Engineering Building II
10 AM Opening Ceremony @ Hunt Library/Engineering Building II

February 9, 2025

11 AM Project Submission Deadline
4 PM Closing Ceremony @ Hunt Library/Engineering Building II

GET STARTED

Coding starts on February 8 (Saturday) at 11 AM EDT, at our kick-off event in Hunt Library/Engineering Building II. We will be hosting workshops, tech talks, a competitive programming competition, and other activities throughout the event for participants to enjoy. All projects must be submitted online before February 9 (Sunday) at 11 AM EDT, but you can edit anything after submitting, so we encourage you to submit your products early and often.

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Visit https://hackncstate.org/ for more information!

Requirements

WHAT TO BUILD

Check our track descriptions see what interests you, then build a project that fits the track for the chance to win one of our prizes!

THEME

Welcome to a fantastical journey into innovation through creativity! Embark on your legendary quest into a realm of magic and innovation, where brilliant participants craft treasures in the Fortune’s Keep, spark change in the Sanctuary, and forge the vital foundations of tomorrow at the Nexus.

TRACKS

Sanctuary (Social Impact)

Step into the Sanctuary, where compassion and innovation meet to create lasting social impact. Here, members will embark on a quest to craft solutions that uplift communities, promote equality, and inspire positive change. Whether it's forging tools for social justice, fostering sustainable change, or building programs for underserved communities, your mission is to make the world a better place!

Nexus (Infrastructure)

Enter the Nexus, where the very lifeblood of modern civilization — water, energy, and beyond — flows through the veins of the realm. Here, you are called upon to forge and strengthen the essential infrastructures that sustain our lives. Whether it’s enhancing transportation networks, fortifying the flow of vital resources, or improving the cornerstones of our world, your creativity will shape the infrastructure of tomorrow!

Fortune's Keep (FinTech)

Explore the legendary Fortune’s Keep, where new treasures are forged. On this path, you are entrusted with shaping the future of finance — crafting tools, systems, and solutions that empower nomads, guilds, and kingdoms alike. Through unlocking the potential of financial technologies, your creations will shape the very flow of prosperity throughout the land for generations to come.

WHAT TO SUBMIT

Submit your project with a 2 to 3 minute pitch video. Feel free to include any supplemental documents, files, websites, etc. However, remember that more is not always better!

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

$3,458 in prizes

First Place Track 1 - 3D Printer

1 winner

First Place Track 2 - Holy Stone Drone

1 winner

First Place Track 3 - Dell Gaming Monitor

1 winner

Second Place Track 1 - Logitech Gaming Mouse

1 winner

Second Place Track 2 - Raspberry Pi 4 Starter Kit

1 winner

Second Place Track 3 - 1TB Portable SSD

1 winner

Third Place Track 1 - Cold Brew Coffee Maker

1 winner

Third Place Track 2 - Soldering Iron Station

1 winner

Third Place Track 3 - 3D Wooden Puzzle Clock Kit

1 winner

Best Use of MongoDB Atlas - M5GO loT Starter Kit

1 winner

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! Build a hack using MongoDB Atlas for a chance to win a M5GO loT Starter Kit for you and each member of your team.

Best Use of Midnight

1 winner

Midnight is a data protection blockchain that offers programmable data protection capabilities powered by zero-knowledge technology to address the delicate balance between data protection, ownership, and utilization. This ensures that developers can leverage blockchain technology without exposing confidential information or losing control over their data.

To build on Midnight, all you need is familiarity with TypeScript or a similar JavaScript based library. The service is free to use and their developer documentation has all the information you need to get started. Build a DApp using Midnight this weekend for a chance to win wireless headphones for you and each of your team mates!

Best Domain Name from GoDaddy Registry

1 winner

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

1 winner

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!