Welcome to the HACK THE SOURCE 2025, proudly hosted by the Open Source Seneca Club! 🎉

This hackathon is all about creativity, collaboration, and innovation without limits. Whether you’re a beginner exploring your first project or an experienced developer ready to tackle complex challenges, this event is your chance to build something impactful.

Unlike traditional hackathons with a fixed theme, Open Innovation gives you complete freedom to create projects in any domain — from web apps and mobile solutions, to AI tools, open-source contributions, sustainability hacks, or anything else that excites you.

What makes this hackathon special:

  • 🌍 Open to Everyone – Students, developers, and innovators from all backgrounds are welcome.

  • 💡 Freedom to Create – No restrictions on topic; bring your best ideas to life.

  • 🤝 Community-Driven – Hosted by students at Seneca College with a focus on collaboration and open source spirit.

  • 🎁 Exciting Prizes & Recognition – Top projects will be featured on Devpost and celebrated across our networks.

  • 📚 Workshops & Mentorship – Learn new skills, get help from mentors, and grow your network.

🗓 Tentative Schedule

  • Kickoff & Team Formation – Day 1

  • Workshops & Mentoring Sessions – Throughout the hackathon

  • Submission Deadline – Final Day (by midnight)

  • Judging & Demos – After submissions close

  • Winner Announcements & Closing Ceremony – Final Day

Get ready to code, learn, and innovate with us. Let’s push the boundaries of what’s possible together 🚀

Requirements

 

📥 Submission Requirements (Draft)

To be eligible for judging, each team must submit the following through Devpost:

  1. Project Description

    • A clear explanation of what your project does, the problem it solves, and why it’s innovative.

    • Mention the technologies, frameworks, or tools used.

  2. Working Demo

    • A link to a live demo (if applicable) OR a short video (2–3 minutes) demonstrating your project in action.

    • The demo should explain the project’s purpose, features, and how to use it.

  3. Source Code Repository

    • A link to your GitHub/GitLab repository with all the project code.

    • Include a README.md with setup instructions so judges (and others) can run your project.

  4. Devpost Submission Page

    • Complete all fields (team members, technologies used, etc.).

    • Upload images/screenshots to showcase your project.

✅ Optional (but Recommended)

  • Document any open-source libraries you created or contributed to.

  • Provide details on future improvements or how your project could scale.

⚠️ Note: Incomplete submissions (missing video/demo or source code) may not be considered for judging.

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

5 non-cash prizes
Best Innovation Award
1 winner

Recognizes the most original, creative, and forward-thinking idea that brings something truly new.

Best Technical Implementation Award
1 winner

Given to the project that demonstrates strong engineering, clean architecture, and excellent use of technology.

Best User Experience (UX) Award
1 winner

Honors the project with the most intuitive, smooth, and user-friendly interface and interaction design.

Best Problem-Solving Award
2 winners

Awarded to the project that clearly identifies a real problem and delivers an effective, practical solution.

Best Overall Hack Award
1 winner

Celebrates the project that excels across all areas: innovation, technical quality, UX, and real-world usefulness.

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Ellie Azizi

Ellie Azizi
Computer Vision Professor

Shahdad Shariatmadari

Shahdad Shariatmadari
UNIX Systems Programming Professor

Yasser Elmankabady
Project Implementation Professor

Judging Criteria

  • Criteria
    Innovation & Creativity (25) Technical Implementation (25) User Experience & Design (20) Problem–Solution Fit (15) Presentation & Demo (15) Bonus (10) – Community Impact or Open-Source Quality

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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