About the Challenge

HackCWRU 2026 is a hackathon spanning over the weekend of January 23-25, 2026, on Case Western Reserve University's campus, where participants will create and collaborate on coding projects and attend workshops and speaker events.

There will be two tracks:

1. Software Technology: Code-Based Projects (No Hardware)

2. Engineering: Code + Hardware-Based Projects

To register, visit our Official Website: https://hackcwru.org/

Requirements

What to Build

Participants may build any type of project, provided it clearly aligns with the track they are competing in.

Projects should have:

  • A clearly defined problem to solve (or attempt to solve)

  • A functional solution

  • A demonstration of a thoughtful use of tools, data, or methods relevant to the track and project topic

 

Projects do not need to be fully complete, and prototypes and proofs of concept are encouraged.

What to Submit

  • A 30-45 second demo video
  • Written project description

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

$9,000+ in prizes
+ other prizes
Software Track: First Place
$2,000 in cash
1 winner

Software Track: Second Place
$1,000 in cash
1 winner

Software Track: Third Place
$500 in cash
1 winner

Engineering Track: First Place
$2,000 in cash
1 winner

Engineering Track: Second Place
$1,000 in cash
1 winner

Engineering Track: Third Place
$500 in cash
1 winner

Rockwell Automation Scholarship
$1,000 in cash
1 winner

Requirements for eligibility:

1. Attend the Rockwell Automation workshop on Thursday, Jan 22nd 5-6 PM.
2. Attend the Moreland Connect Workshop on Saturday, Jan 24th 1:30-3:30 PM.
3. Attend one other workshop of your choosing!

Vice Provost of Innovation AI Scholarship
$1,000 in cash
1 winner

Requirements for eligibility:

1. Attend the Rockwell Automation workshop on Thursday, Jan 22nd 5-6 PM.
2. Attend the Moreland Connect Workshop on Saturday, Jan 24th 1:30-3:30 PM.
3. Your project must implement AI in some way (more specific details and rubrics will be provided)!

Bose Headphones
1 winner

Early registration raffle entry!

6 Month Subscription of ChatGPT Plus
1 winner

Requirements for eligibility:

Attend the Moreland Connect AI Prompt Engineering Workshop on Saturday, Jan 24th, 1:30 - 3:30 PM at think[box] first floor!

Oculus
1 winner

Requirements for eligibility: Attend the Neurex workshop!

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Harold Connamacher

Harold Connamacher
Professor - Case Western Reserve University

Brian Krupp

Brian Krupp
Professor - Case Western Reserve University

Linda Rae

Linda Rae
GE Vernova (formerly)

Frank Merat

Frank Merat
Emeritus Professor - Case Western Reserve University

Judging Criteria

  • Innovation & Creativity
    Does the project present a novel idea or unique approach to solving a problem? We value creative thinking, originality, and solutions that push boundaries beyond conventional implementations.
  • Technical Implementation
    How well is the project executed from a technical standpoint? Judges will evaluate code quality, architectural decisions, use of technologies, and the complexity of challenges overcome during development.
  • Design & User Experience
    Is the interface intuitive, polished, and user-friendly? We assess visual design, interaction patterns, accessibility considerations, and overall attention to the end-user experience.
  • Impact & Usefulness
    What real-world problem does this solve, and who benefits from it? Judges seek projects that demonstrate clear value, practical applications, and the potential to make a meaningful difference.
  • Presentation & Completeness
    How effectively does the team communicate their project's vision and functionality? We consider demo quality, pitch clarity, project documentation, and the overall level of completeness within the time constraints.

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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