Welcome to NextSpark Hacks!

Have an idea you’ve been meaning to build? This is your chance.

NextSpark Hacks is a student-led hackathon for curious people who want to turn their ideas into something others can use. Whether this is your first project or you’ve built several before, bring your creativity, try something new, and see what you can make.

Build Something That Matters

Choose a real-world problem you care about and create a project that helps address it. You could build an app that makes everyday tasks easier, a website that connects your community, an educational game, or something completely unexpected.

Start with a simple question: Who could this help, and how?

Why Join?
  • Make something of your own. Turn an idea into a working project you can demonstrate and keep improving.
  • Learn by building. Try a new tool, work through challenges, and put your skills into practice.
  • Meet other builders. Share ideas with people who enjoy creating things.
  • Bring your perspective. You don’t need the biggest idea—thoughtful solutions to everyday problems matter too.
Your First Hackathon? You Belong Here.

You don’t need to know everything before you start. Pick a manageable idea, build the most useful part first, and explain what you learned along the way. A small project that works well can say a lot.

 

Requirements

What to Build

Build a working prototype that addresses a real-world problem. Your project can be a website, mobile app, game, AI tool, or another software solution. Choose a problem you care about and show how your project could help.

Create your project during the hackathon’s submission period. You may use existing libraries, frameworks, APIs, and AI tools, but clearly credit them and explain your own contributions.

What to Submit

Your Devpost submission must include:

  • Project description: Explain the problem, who your project helps, what it does, and how you built it. Include challenges you faced and what you learned.
  • Source code: Provide a public GitHub repository or equivalent link with setup instructions.
  • Demo video: Submit a 1–3 minute video showing your project in action and explaining its main features. Make sure judges can watch it without requesting access.
  • Screenshots: Include at least one screenshot of your project.
  • Tools and credits: List the technologies, external resources, and any AI assistance used.

Optional: Include a live demo link so judges can try your project.

Submit everything before the deadline, check that your links work, and clearly identify any features that are still planned or incomplete.

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

6 non-cash prizes
1st Place Certificate — NextSpark Hacks Champion
1 winner

Highest-scoring project overall. Awarded the title of NextSpark Hacks 2026 Champion.
Certificates are for recognition only and have no monetary value.

2nd Place Certificate
1 winner

Second-highest-scoring project overall.
Certificates are for recognition only and have no monetary value.

3rd Place Certificate
1 winner

Third-highest-scoring project overall. Certificates are for recognition only and have no monetary value.

4th Place Certificate
1 winner

Fourth-highest-scoring project overall. Certificates are for recognition only and have no monetary value.

5th Place Certificate
1 winner

Fifth-highest-scoring project overall. Certificates are for recognition only and have no monetary value.

Participation Certificate
99 winners

All the participants who submit a project will receive a certificate of participation. Certificates are for recognition only and have no monetary value.

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Pall Leuva

Pall Leuva

Adwaith Renjith

Judging Criteria

  • Creativity and Originality
    Does the project bring a fresh idea or a thoughtful new approach to an existing problem?
  • Impact
    Does the project address a meaningful problem? Is it clear who would benefit and how?
  • Technical Execution
    Does the prototype work as demonstrated? How well are its features built and connected?
  • Design and User Experience
    Is the project easy to understand and use? Does its design make it accessible to its intended audience?

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

Invite others to compete

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