Hack K-State is a 36-hour hackathon at Kansas State University organized by students, for students. A hackathon is an invention and innovation competition for technology and a learning experience where students can use technology to learn new software, hardware, skills, and techniques by creating a project with a team of up to 4 people throughout the event.
The event brings high school and college students together under one roof. Hack K-State is open to high school students, undergraduate college students, and graduate students from any school (in-state and out-of-state!). Some restrictions apply; see rules for details. Participating in the event is 100% free, and no prior experience is necessary.
This year, participants are referred to as "Hack Cats" as a reference to the university, complete with branded swag. The hackathon will be held in-person on December 4th-6th, 2026. Teams with varying levels of experience and backgrounds come together to make their ideas come to life. There is a lot of variety of inventions that come out of Hack K-State, ranging from software to hardware and anything in between. Many free tools and hardware (like smart devices) are provided during the event so hackers can utilize them.
Those interested in getting involved can sponsor, organize, or mentor. If you are interested in sponsoring, becoming a mentor, helping organize the event, or anything in between, please contact the team at hackkstate@ksu.edu.
Venue
Manhattan, United States