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VISION HACKJEWEL CITY HACKS
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THE BEEHIVE 1000 E. 60TH ST. LOS ANGELES, CA 90001

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THIS IS A FREE EVENT.

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What is a hackathon?

A hackathon is where you learn to build inventions under the guidance of mentors from the technology industry and then demo to judges who are venture capitalists, entrepreneurs from the Forbes 30 under 30 List, and elite engineers from Fortune 500 companies.

Hacker Fund is producing hackathons in South LA for youth ages 14-30 in partnership with the Vision Lab, a community-oriented program run by the City of Los Angeles that offers free tech training and resources for youth, entrepreneurs, and local businesses.

01

Meet friends

This is a safe and fun space for you to build inventions with your friends! Come with your squad or meet a new friend to form a team. We will help you find teammates if you're interested.

02

Ideate

This is your time to think about what you can build to help your community. Bring your BIG IDEAS! Our mentors will be available to help you brainstorm how to bring your ideas to life.

03

Learn

We will have Workshops and Mentor Office Hours on-site so that you can learn how to build games, mobile apps, prototype using electronics, and use artificial intelligence to work with data. This is the perfect time to get help with your resume during our Mentor Office Hours!

04

Build

Ready to build? We've got your back! You'll have open lab time to work on your hackathon projects. Mentors will be going around to support you through any technical challenges.

05

Demo

The hackathon concludes with a demo! You'll have time to present your projects to a group of industry professionals from top technology companies.

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WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

You will learn from elite technology companies such as Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Tesla across the following topics below. Get ready for an action-packed day of hack-tivities!

Intro to Software

You will learn how to code using the latest AI tools so that you can start building immediately.

Intro to Hardware

Want to save the world like Tony Stark? We will teach you how to use a soldering iron so you can build with the hardware that it takes to get started including microcontrollers like the Arduino and Raspberry Pi!

Gaming & Mobile

Ready to build a game in your browser so that you can play against your friends? This is the workshop for you!

AI & Cybersecurity

Every company will become an AI-powered company in the next 5 years. We want you to be ready! You will learn how to use data science to prototype artificial intelligence.

Mixed Reality (VR/AR)

Mixed reality headsets have allowed us to enter the virtual universe. You will learn how to design gaming experiences that you can explore.

Ideation & Demo Skills

Getting your idea across to your team or an audience during a project is a SKILL! And you will learn from the best how to communicate what the impact of your hackathon project.

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SCHEDULE

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM 

Participant Check-in & Breakfast

You must check-in with the Hacker Fund team at the courtyard at The Beehive. Same-day registration is allowed. Find the hacker cat! 😸 

FREE BREAKFAST is available for all attendees thanks to our sponsors!

*Busses arrive at the venue by 8:15am. Pick-up locations and times will be provided via email if you stated you needed transportation support in your application. If you are taking the bus, you must check in with the South LA Campus Ambassador from the Hacker Fund Team that is assigned to your bus. 

9:00 AM - 9:30 AM

Opening Ceremony

The Los Angeles Mayor's Office will introduce the hackathon challenge. We have a surprise for you...so make sure you're in the room at this time! 

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Team Building & Ideation

Get ready for a team-building activity that is designed to help you find a team, if you do not have one already! This is where you will learn the communication skills to research challenges that each LA City Council District faces, articulate your ideas for a prototype, and inspire others to join your team for the day! 

The hackathon project submission period opens at 9:30am on Devpost, the platform you will be using to submit to the competition. 

10:30 AM - 11:15 PM

Workshop 1: Software Hacking 

You will learn how to use artificial intelligence to build software projects with v0 by Vercel. 

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Workshop 2: Hardware Hacking 

If you've ever wanted to build robots like Tony Stark from the Marvel Avengers, this is your chance to get started with an introduction to microcontrollers and hardware hacking with Arduino and Raspberry Pi. This is where you will learn how to solder!

12:30 PM - 1:00 PM

Lunch

FREE LUNCH by Jersey Mike's is provided to all attendees thanks to our sponsors! 

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Workshop 3: Mixed Reality

You will learn how to build immersive experiences using game engines such as Unity 3D. 

2:45 PM - 3:30 PM

Workshop 4: Gaming & Mobile

Get ready to build a game in your browser that you can play with your friends on any mobile phone or tablet.

3:45 PM - 4:30 PM

Workshop 5: Presentation Skills

Is your resume sharp enough to land a job in tech? Let's get your LinkedIn page ready for recruitment. You will learn resume development tricks, job interview techniques, and the presentation secrets of the most effective entrepreneurs in the world! 

1:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Job Fair

Are you looking for a job? Are you hiring? This is the time to join the Career Center on-site and get connected. All youth participants will be able to participate in mock interviews, resume coaching, and LinkedIn mentorship office hours. 

5:30 PM - 6:00 PM

Dinner & Project Submission Support

FREE DINNER from Chipotle is provided to all attendees thanks to our sponsors. 

If you are competing in the hackathon, you must submit your project via the Devpost platform by 6:00pm PT. 

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Demo Expo & Judging

Ready to present what you have built? Prepare to give 5-minute demos to showcase your project to tech industry judges. 

7:00 PM - 7:50 PM

Finalist Demo & Closing Ceremony

The finalists will be invited on stage to demo in front of a live audience! Judges will choose the winners. Get ready to see who is crowned the GRAND CHAMPION!

7:50 PM - 8:00 PM

Prize Distribution & Check-out 

The Closing Ceremony ends at this time and prizes will be distributed. If you are under 18 years of age, you must make sure your Parent or Legal Guardian is at Glendale Community College to pick you up.

*Busses arrive at 8:00pm for departure from the venue. If you are taking the bus, you must be packed up and ready to leave by 7:50pm PT. 

*Hacking begins at 9:30am and ends at 6:00pm. In order to compete in the contest and demo your project to the judges, you must submit to Devpost by the deadline. 

*This schedule is subject to change. 


MENTORS

Hacker Fund mentors are industry leaders and innovators from 150+ top-tier companies like Apple, Google, Tesla, SpaceX, and more. They are experts in AI, software engineering, gaming, hardware design, and advanced technologies, as well as seasoned entrepreneurs who have launched successful startups and pioneered groundbreaking solutions. Combining technical mastery with creative vision, these mentors bring real-world expertise and a passion for teaching, empowering youth with hands-on guidance, practical knowledge, and the inspiration to innovate boldly and succeed in today’s tech-driven world.

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AND MORE TECHNOLOGISTS AND ENTREPRENEURS FROM...

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JUDGES

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Miles Fishman
Senior iOS Engineer
Walmart Global Tech

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Mo Adib
Cofounder & CEO
Titan Dynamics

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Dawn Comer
Executive Officer
Los Angeles Mayor's Office 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We've got A's for your Q's

How do I apply and when do I find out if I can go?

Admission approvals are rolling. We have limited space. You can request an application via the button below! You must register to attend. Your application to register will be sent via email.

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How much does it cost?

The hackathon is FREE to attend!

How do I know if I'm in LA CD 8, 9, or 10?

Check out this map! You can also use this website to see if your home, school, or community center is in Los Angeles City Council Districts 8, 9, or 10. ​Council District 8: The district includes the neighborhoods of Baldwin Hills, Chesterfield Square, Crenshaw, Leimert Park, Jefferson Park, West Adams and other communities of western South Los Angeles.

​Council District 9: The district includes the western section of Downtown Los Angeles and much of South Los Angeles.

​Council District 10: The district includes the neighborhoods of Arlington Heights, Koreatown, Mid-City, Olympic Park, Palms, South Robertson, West Adams, West Pico and Wilshire Center.

Where is the hackathon?

VISION HACK will take place at the SoLa Technology & Entrepreneurship Center at The Beehive in South LA. This venue is accessible to youth from LA Council Districts 8, 9, & 10. Transportation support may be available. The address is: 1000 E. 60th St. Los Angeles, CA 90001.

Who can attend?

This hackathon is open to youth ages 14-30 from LA Council Districts 8, 9, and 10. Hackathon participants under 18 years of age must get a parent or guardian to sign a permission slip to attend.

How long is the hackathon?

This is a 12-hour hackathon. It takes place on Saturday September 12th, 2026 from 8:00AM PT to 8:00PM PT.

Can I get extra-credit or a certificate for attending the hackathon?

Each participant in the hackathon will receive a certificate from Hacker Fund signed by industry professionals. Email us so that we can speak with your teacher about how to get you credit for attending the hackathon!

What if I do not know how to code?

A hackathon is THE place to learn to code! You will be around your friends, mentors from the industry, and a support network who will inspire you to create inventions that can bridge the digital divide!  

How do I get my hackathon admission ticket?

Youth applicants who are eligible for the hackathon will receive a participation consent form to sign via email. A signed form is required in order to enter the hackathon. Your admission ticket will be available via Luma.

When can I get started?

Youth admitted to the hackathon will receive resources that will prepare them for making the most of their hackathon experience.  

What if I have never been to a hackathon?

What a time to be alive! If it's your first hackathon, come on through and we'll make sure you find a team, meet mentors, and learn how to save the world through your inventions.

Where will my project be uploaded?

All hackathon participants will have the opportunity to upload their projects to Devpost. Judges will provide feedback and scores through Devpost while on-site.

Will I get help with my resume?

You will receive support from industry professionals who have experience crafting resumes for successful recruitment for apprenticeships, internships, and entry-level tech jobs.  

Will there be security?

Yes! We will have security to ensure all attendees are safe while participating in the hackathon. We will have chaperones available to supervise youth that are under 18 years of age.

Will there be food?

Yes! All hackathon participants will be served breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Participants will be sent a form to list their dietary restrictions prior to the hackathon.

What if I am under 18 years of age?

All hackathon participants who are under 18 years of age must have their parent or guardian sign the permission slip that will be provided to you if your application to the hackathon is accepted. If you are under 18 years of age, your parents must accompany you to the hackathon event.

What if there is an emergency at the hackathon? Is there a Code of Conduct?

Our hackathon staff will work diligently to ensure the safety of the participants. All attendees will be required to abide by the Hacker Fund Code of Conduct which includes what steps to take in case of emergencies.

Will this help me build my portfolio?

Yes! Your hackathon project will be submitted to the platform called Devpost that top technology use to recruit talent. All hackathon participants will receive access to Devpost once they are admitted to the hackathon.  

How do I communicate with teammates, mentors, and judges online while at the hackathon?

Online communication will be available through Discord channels. Workshops may be live-streamed.

I have questions about the hackathon. Who do I contact?

Any participants or parent/legal guardians may call or text (213) 785-7382 and ask for the Vision Hack Team. If you leave a voicemail, we will call back. Se habla español. You can also email visionhack@hacker.fund.

If youth are under 18 years of age, details about Parent Sessions will be sent to the emails of their parent or legal guardian.

    THANK YOU

    We are grateful to our community partners for collaborating with us on hackathon opportunities in South LA.

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    ARE YOU READY?

    Find your superpower!

    Join the hackathon below.

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    Public Communications Statement: This project received $120,000 from a grant awarded under the Community Project grant, as implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. 

    TEAMOUR MODELFISCAL SPONSORSHIP
    VISION HACKJEWEL CITY HACKS
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