The Howard University Center for Digital Business is proud to present the 11th Annual #BISONHACKS Hackathon beginning on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
#BISONHACKS Hackathon is a 24hr competition that encourages students to develop applications and ideas that automate, alert, organize, encourage, and educate. The hackathon is an opportunity for students to work together and bring their innovative ideas to life. In less than 24 hours, students working in teams of three to five can create applications on whatever platform they desire.
Requirements
Presentations should be submitted by Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 12 PM.
In order to submit, all files must be uploaded to GitHub by the designated time.
All submissions must include a 3 minute (MAX) demonstration (e.g. PowerPoint, a walkthrough of the software/solution, etc.) with an additional 1 minute allotted for questions.
Prizes
Best Use of Gemini API [MLH]
Prize: Google Swag Kits
It’s time to push the boundaries of what's possible with AI using Google Gemini. Check out the Gemini API to build AI-powered apps that make your friends say WHOA. So, what can Gemini do for your hackathon project?
- Understand language like a human and build a chatbot that gives personalized advice
- Analyze info like a supercomputer and create an app that summarizes complex research papers
- Generate creative content like code, scripts, music, and more
Think of the possibilities… what will you build with the Google Gemini API this weekend?
Best Use of ElevenLabs [MLH]
Prize: Wireless Earbuds
Deploy natural, human-sounding audio with ElevenLabs. Create realistic, dynamic, and emotionally expressive voices for any project, from interactive AI companions to narrated stories and voice-enabled apps. ElevenLabs will empower you to build rich, immersive experiences without the need for actors or complex audio production, using simply the power of AI.
Integrate fully autonomous audio experiences into your hack with ElevenLabs and give your project a voice, along with giving your team the chance to win some wireless earbuds!
Best Use of MongoDB Atlas [MLH]
Prize: M5Stack IoT Kit
MongoDB Atlas takes the leading modern database and makes it accessible in the cloud! Get started with a $50 credit for students or sign up for the Atlas free forever tier (no credit card required). Along with a suite of services and functionalities, you'll have everything you need to manage all of your data, and you can get a head start with free resources from MongoDB University! Build a hack using MongoDB Atlas for a chance to win a M5Stack IoT Kit for you and each member of your team.
Best Use of Solana
Prize: Ledger Nano S Plus
The world of development is evolving fast and Solana is leading the charge with a network built to handle all of your infrastructure needs. Forget high fees and slow confirmations, it’s time to build applications that are fast, efficient, and scalable.
Harness Solana's core advantages like blazing fast execution and near-zero transaction costs to make your hackathon ideas become real world projects. With Solana, the possibilities are endless.
- Create a game, social app, or consumer product that relies on instant, high-frequency transactions.
- Design a sophisticated trading, lending, or decentralized exchange (DEX).
- Build a prototype for supply chain, identity, or payments that can handle massive, real-world volume.
Show us how you can innovate with Solana for a chance to win some cool prizes for you and each member of your team!
Best Use of DigitalOcean
Prize: Retro Wireless Mouse
DigitalOcean offers a reliable and easy-to-use cloud platform for every stage of your project. Leverage core services like Droplets, Managed Databases, and App Platform to build, deploy, and scale your application effortlessly. Building with AI? DigitalOcean Gradient™ AI enables you to build, train, and deploy machine learning models, including access to GPU infrastructure and serverless inference!
Sign up for DigitalOcean today and get $200 worth of free credits that you can use towards building your next great hack. Build with DigitalOcean's robust cloud infrastructure for a chance to win some great prizes for you and each of your teammates!
First Place
Choice of Apple iPad, Sony ZV1 Digital Camera, or Nintendo Switch 2.
Second Place
Choice of Apple iPad, Sony ZV1 Digital Camera, or Nintendo Switch 2.
Third Place
Choice of Apple iPad, Sony ZV1 Digital Camera, or Nintendo Switch 2.
Best Graduate Team
Professional development stipend.
Ticketmaster Challenge: Secure the Queue
$100 Howard University Bookstore Vouchers & gifts from Ticketmaster.
Devpost Achievements
Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:
Judges
Tori Bailey
eBay
Kevin Harris
Crypto.com
Judging Criteria
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BisonHacks 2026 Criteria
Business Model – Impact – Technical – Design/UX – Presentation –
Questions? Email the hackathon manager
Tell your friends
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