IdeaLab Hacks is a place to try your next "what-if." Whether it's a tiny annoyance you keep noticing, a game you wish existed, or an experiment you cannot stop thinking about, this event invites you to choose your own problem, audience, and tools.
Participants can build an app, website, game, useful automation, hardware prototype, creative experience, or something that does not fit a category yet. AI is welcome but never required. You do not need a polished startup pitch to begin; instead, start with one interesting question, test a possible answer, and show what you learned. A focused prototype that does one thing well can tell a great story.
Projects may aim to: - Make an everyday task easier. - Create a new way to learn, play, connect, or express yourself. - Explore an unusual use for a familiar technology. - Build something simply because you are curious.
Beginners and experienced builders are welcome. Participants may work solo or with a team of up to five. Code, low-code, and no-code projects are all accepted; teams must be clear about their own contributions and the tools used.
Timeline: - Submissions close: November 30, 2026 - Judging runs: December 1–5 - Results announced: December 7
Prizes: Recognition awards include 1st Place, 2nd Place, 3rd Place, and Runner-Up Recognition for standout eligible projects. All prizes are non-cash recognition with no monetary value.
Judging Criteria: Projects are evaluated based on four equal-weighted categories (25% each): - Creativity & Originality: How fresh, thoughtful, or inventive is the idea? - Execution & Functionality: How well does the prototype demonstrate its main idea? - Usefulness & Experience: How well does the project serve its intended audience? - Clarity & Learning: How clearly does the submission explain the idea, credit its tools, and share what the team learned?