About the challenge

ImpactHack 2026 challenges students to build technology that solves a real problem or creates something genuinely useful.

Projects can take any form: websites, mobile apps, AI tools, games, hardware, productivity tools, educational technology, accessibility solutions, or something completely new.

AI is fully allowed and encouraged.

Participants may use AI throughout the entire development process, including:

- Brainstorming and research

- Writing and debugging code

- Designing interfaces

- Generating images, text, audio, or other assets

- Learning unfamiliar technologies

- Building presentations and documentation

- Using AI agents and coding assistants

- Integrating AI models and APIs into the finished project

There is no penalty for using AI-assisted development tools.

We especially encourage teams to go beyond simply using AI to build their project and create products where AI itself performs a meaningful function for the user.

Examples include projects that use AI to analyze information, make recommendations, understand language or images, automate tasks, personalize experiences, generate useful content, or help users make decisions.

Get started

1) Find a problem you want to solve.

2) Form a team or compete individually.

3) Decide what you want to build.

4) Use whatever development tools help you make it.

5) Build a working prototype.

6) Submit your project and demonstrate what it can do.

• Impact — 20%
  Does the project address a meaningful problem or provide genuine value to its users? Judges will consider the usefulness, relevance, and potential impact of the solution.
• Technical Execution — 20%
  How effectively was the project designed and developed? Judges will consider the quality of the implementation, technical decisions, complexity where appropriate, and how well the technology supports the project's goals.
• Innovation & Creativity — 15%
  How original, creative, or interesting is the project? Judges will consider both the idea itself and the team's approach to solving the problem.
• Functionality — 15%
  How well does the project actually work? Judges will consider whether the main features are functional, reliable, and successfully demonstrated in the final submission.
• Use of AI & Technology — 15%
  How effectively does the project use AI or other technology to expand its capabilities? Meaningful AI integration is encouraged. Judges will consider what the technology enables the product to do, rather than simply whether AI was used.
• Presentation & Demo — 15%
  How clearly and effectively does the team communicate its problem, solution, features, and impact? Judges will consider the quality of the Devpost submission and the required 2–4 minute demo video.