MakeMIT x Harvard is a collaboration between MakeMIT and MakeHarvard, creating the largest hardware hackathon yet! We're bringing together MIT's maker culture with Harvard's innovation community for an incredible 24-hour build.
Teams of up to six people design and build hardware projects in 24 hours to win $10,000 in prizes! Past projects have included a driver-exhaustion monitor, a toaster that prints the morning news, and much more.
We provide laser cutters, 3D printers, soldering stations, microcontrollers, materials, and mentorship. Just bring your ideas and curiosity.
When time's up, you'll film a demo video and submit your project for judging. Choose one of five standard tracks (Healthcare, Sustainability, Communication, Entertainment, or AI Doorman) or apply for the Seeed Studio Interactive Signage Track if it fits your project. You can also compete for the overall prize.
Hackathon: February 21-22, 2026 · Make Week: Feb 16-20, 2026
Requirements
1. Applicable Track
Select up to 2 prize tracks to be judged in
2. Team Information
- Team members + roles
- Assigned Team Number
- Team Name
3. Project description
- What you built
- Problem it solves
- How it works
- Key features / innovation
4. Demo video (2–3 min)
- Show the project working
- Explain concept + build
- Highlight hardware interaction (important for MakeMIT)
5. Photos
- Final prototype
- Build process photos
- Internals encouraged (PCBs, mechanisms, etc.)
6. Repo / documentation
- GitHub or equivalent with:
- Code
- CAD files (Fusion / SolidWorks / Onshape exports)
- Schematics / PCB files if applicable
- Build instructions (light but helpful)
7. Tech stack / materials
- Hardware components used
- Software / frameworks
- Fabrication methods
Prizes
Infosys Overall Grand Prize
1st Place: Gold package (6 assorted prizes) 2nd Place: Silver package (6 assorted prizes) 3rd Place: Bronze package (6 assorted prizes)
[MLH] Best Use of Gemini API
Google Swag Kits
It’s time to push the boundaries of what's possible with AI using Google Gemini. Check out the Gemini API to build AI-powered apps that make your friends say WHOA. So, what can Gemini do for your hackathon project?
Understand language like a human and build a chatbot that gives personalized advice
Analyze info like a supercomputer and create an app that summarizes complex research papers
Generate creative content like code, scripts, music, and more
Think of the possibilities… what will you build with the Google Gemini API this weekend?
[MLH] Best Use of ElevenLabs
Wireless Earbuds
Deploy natural, human-sounding audio with ElevenLabs. Create realistic, dynamic, and emotionally expressive voices for any project, from interactive AI companions to narrated stories and voice-enabled apps. ElevenLabs will empower you to build rich, immersive experiences without the need for actors or complex audio production, using simply the power of AI.
Integrate fully autonomous audio experiences into your hack with ElevenLabs and give your project a voice, along with giving your team the chance to win some wireless earbuds!
[MLH] Best Use of Solana
Ledger Nano S Plus
The world of development is evolving fast and Solana is leading the charge with a network built to handle all of your infrastructure needs. Forget high fees and slow confirmations, it’s time to build applications that are fast, efficient, and scalable.
Harness Solana's core advantages like blazing fast execution and near-zero transaction costs to make your hackathon ideas become real world projects. With Solana, the possibilities are endless.
Create a game, social app, or consumer product that relies on instant, high-frequency transactions.
Design a sophisticated trading, lending, or decentralized exchange (DEX).
Build a prototype for supply chain, identity, or payments that can handle massive, real-world volume.
Show us how you can innovate with Solana for a chance to win some cool prizes for you and each member of your team!
[MLH] Best Use of Vultr
Portable Screens
Vultr empowers hackers to bring their high-performance projects to life instantly; providing everything from the speed of one-click deployment and scalable cloud compute, to specialized Vultr Cloud GPUs that can power AI-driven applications. We want you to push the limits of what can be built when infrastructure is no longer the bottleneck!
Sign up for a Vultr account today and claim your free cloud credits! Take your next hack to the cloud with Vultr for a chance to win some awesome portable screens for you and your team!
Sauron Home Security Track
1st Place Prizes (Worth $827):
Wireless Space Mouse (x2)
Mitutoyo Calipers
Mitutoyo Micrometers
HOTO Screwdriver
Dremel Torch
2nd Place Prizes (Worth $505):
Mitutoyo Calipers
Numpad + Calculator
Wireless Space Mouse
HOTO Screwdriver
Dremel Torch
Neiko Calipers
3rd Place Prizes (Worth $420):
Wireless Space Mouse
HOTO Screwdriver
Numpad + Calculator
Digital Micrometer
Knipex Pliers
Neiko Calipers
Best Use of Viam
Winning team receives a Viam Rover for each member!
Best Use of deFlex (Transcend)
1 year of HPC on deFlex!
Seed Studio Interactive Signage
1st Place:
Gold package (6 assorted prizes)
2nd Place:
Silver package (6 assorted prizes)
3rd Place:
Bronze package (6 assorted prizes)
Healthcare
1st Place:
Gold package (6 assorted prizes)
2nd Place:
Silver package (6 assorted prizes)
3rd Place:
Bronze package (6 assorted prizes)
Communication
1st Place:
Gold package (6 assorted prizes)
2nd Place:
Silver package (6 assorted prizes)
3rd Place:
Bronze package (6 assorted prizes)
Entertainment
1st Place:
Gold package (6 assorted prizes)
2nd Place:
Silver package (6 assorted prizes)
3rd Place:
Bronze package (6 assorted prizes)
Sustainability
1st Place:
Gold package (6 assorted prizes)
2nd Place:
Silver package (6 assorted prizes)
3rd Place:
Bronze package (6 assorted prizes)
Devpost Achievements
Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:
Judges
Empty
Judging Criteria
-
Technical difficulty & execution
-
Innovation & creativity
-
Functionality & demo quality
-
Track Relevancy
Questions? Email the hackathon manager
Tell your friends
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