Join 300 hackers at NewHacks to transform your ideas into reality! In this 24-hour event, you and your team will build a project from scratch. Afterwards, you will present your project to a panel of industry judges to compete for prizes.
Our hackathon is designed for anyone to participate, regardless of whether or not you have a technical background. To help facilitate your learning experience, we will host workshops throughout the event featuring speakers from some of the top companies in the industry. This hackathon will be in person at the University of Toronto!
To help facilitate your learning experience, we will host online workshops throughout the event featuring speakers from some of the top companies in the industry. We can't wait to see your creations!
Requirements
All work on a project should be done at the hackathon and solely for NewHacks. We will verify it by your git repository.
The following ideas pertain to the requirements of the teams
- Teams can use an idea (but can not use materials-code from previous hackathons) they had before the event. Teams can work on an idea that they have worked on before (as long as they do not re-use code).
- Teams can use libraries, frameworks, or open-source code in their projects. Working on a project before the event and open-sourcing it for the sole purpose of using the code during the event is against the spirit of the rules and is not allowed.
Devpost Requirements:
In order to submit your project, you must submit the following items through Devpost:
- Project Name
- Team Member Names
- A short description of your design
It is always good to link it to your Devpost project in case other groups want to check it out. Please ensure that you select all of the prize categories that you wish to be considered for!
Prizes
1st Place Overall
Win 1st place overall and receive Apple Airpods 4th Gen for your whole team!
2nd Place Overall
Win 2nd place overall and receive Amazon Echo Dots for your whole team!
3rd Place Overall
Win 3rd place overall and receive Samsung Smartwatches for your whole team!
Theme Prize: Travel/Tourism
Win best Travel/Tourism hack and receive power banks for your whole team!
Theme Prize: Personal Wellness
Win best Personal Wellness hack and receive Massage Guns for your whole team!
Theme Prize: Finance & Fintech
Win best Finance & Fintech hack and receive card holders for your whole team!
Best Use of Gemini API: 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 Gemini 2.5 Computer Use: 3D Printing Pen
The Gemini 2.5 Computer Use model is a specialized model built on Gemini 2.5 Pro's capabilities that powers AI agents capable of interacting directly with user interfaces (UIs).
Essentially, it enables AI agents to perform complex digital tasks by navigating web pages and applications just as a human would, by clicking, typing, and scrolling.
Use Gemini 2.5 Computer Use in your project this weekend for a chance to win some 3D printing pens for you and your teammates!
Best Use of ElevenLabs: ElevenLabs Airpods
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 exclusive ElevenLabs-branded airpods!
Best Use of Snowflake API: Arduino Tiny ML Kit
Play with industry-leading LLMs on a single account using the Snowflake APIs. Adding AI capabilities into your application can be as simple as a single CURL command to Snowflake’s REST API.
Build customized applications, RAG powered chat bots, or embed AI-powered features into your app in half the time with half the hassle. Get started for free with a special, student 120-day Snowflake trial and check out this repository for an example of the Snowflake REST API in action.
Best Domain Name from GoDaddy Registry: Digital Gift Card
GoDaddy Registry is giving you everything you need to be the best hacker no matter where you are. Register your domain name with GoDaddy Registry for a chance to win some amazing prizes!
Best Use of Arm: Handheld Game Console
Building with ARM allows you to create highly efficient, performant, and scalable applications & software! From IoT and Smart Devices, to AI and Machine Learning, ARM’s high performance computing and extreme energy efficiency will power whatever hackathon project you’re creating into the next level.
With hundreds of sample projects and tutorials, you’ll find everything you need to get started and then some, at ARM’s developer hub. With ARM powering the vast majority of the world’s smartphones, tablets, laptops, servers, and IoT devices, now is your chance to get hands on with the most popular processor architecture around!
Assemble your team and build your hack using one of Arm's learning paths today for a chance to win some awesome prizes!
Best Use of DigitalOcean Gradient™ AI: Retro Wireless Mouse
DigitalOcean GradientTM AI is a unified AI cloud for building, training, and deploying machine learning models and AI agents. Get access to GPU infrastructure like DigitalOcean GPU Droplets and Bare Metal servers, along with serverless inference and 1-Click Models for instant deployment of your favorite LLMs!
Sign up for DigitalOcean today and get $200 worth of free credits that you can use towards building your next Gradient-powered hack. Enable your next project with DigitalOcean GradientTM AI for a chance to win some great prizes for you and each of your team mates!
Devpost Achievements
Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:
Judges
IEEE U of T
Judging Criteria
-
Idea Originality
Novel idea/innovation. No other team has an idea similar and this idea does not exist elsewhere already. -
Technical Complexity
The project demonstrates high technical complexity that is appropriate for a beginner. The team effectively implements challenging features using advanced methods or technologies, showing strong problem-solving skills and a deep understanding of concepts. -
Working Demo
Demo runs perfectly, no errors appear when attempting to demo, the demo matches the expected output based on the idea and features discussed. -
Presentation
The team is well-prepared, demonstrates outstanding presentation skills. All members contribute confidently, clearly, and enthusiastically. The presentation covers the purpose, main idea, and functionality, including details like future plans or benefits.
Questions? Email the hackathon manager
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