About the challenge

OwlHacks, Temple University's premier student-led hackathon, is back for its seventh year! Making its debut in 2019, OwlHacks has seen incredible projects, attracted a strong turnout, and received immense support from our sponsors and university. OwlHacks 2025 is expected to surpass all expectations! Whether you're a freshman or senior, undergraduate or graduate, we look forward to seeing everyone take part in this remarkable event!

Learn more about OwlHacks!

Get started

Register Here!

Registration closes on September 24th, 2025!

Requirements

What to Build

🚀 Tracks for OwlHacks 2025: Out of This World

1. Future Mobility: From travel solutions to smarter infrastructure, how can we reshape our cities, countries — or even planets? Focus on innovation in transportation, sustainability, and logistics.

2. Next Frontier Health (ML Track): As tech pushes into new frontiers, so should healthcare. Build tools that pivot from the traditional data sets to machine learning/AI solutions to support physical or mental wellness. Develop next-gen health tech where it’s needed most.

3. Equity by Design: The future needs to work for everyone. This track is designed to make tech inclusive, and accessible. From education to public services. How do we build a better world for everyone?

4. Philly Special: The wildcard track is set for takeoff. Whether it is an intergalactic AR tour of Philly history, or a hyper-local app to provide nearby help. Anything goes. Be bold, be creative, and shoot for the stars!

5. BONUS! Galactic Market Challenge: Not a coder? Bring your Ideas! Not every hacker needs to code. This challenge is for students in business, finance, marketing, or design who want to pitch the next big venture—from Earth to orbit. 

  • What to Do:

    • Create a business plan, pitch deck, or market strategy

    • Propose a product or service that could exist 10+ years from now

    • Optional visuals (mockups, branding, demos—no code required)

  • Judging Criteria:

    • Creativity & originality

    • Market viability & future relevance

    • Presentation quality

How to Submit

Here is a guide on how to submit a project:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1PdXUUx7nA8ZOcwRizSN2e5h44g2G39LAqfx7eGCfL-U/edit?usp=sharing

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

9 non-cash prizes
[MLH] Best Use of Gemini API || Mechanical Keyboards
1 winner

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?

[MLH] Best Use of MongoDB Atlas || M5GO IoT Starter Kit
1 winner

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 headstart with free resources from MongoDB University! Build a hack using MongoDB Atlas for a chance to win a M5GO IoT Starter Kit for you and each member of your team.

[MLH] Best Use of Auth0 || Wireless Headphones
1 winner

Auth0 wants your applications to be secure! Why spend hours building features like social sign-in, Multi-Factor Authentication, and passwordless log-in when you can enable them through Auth0 straight out of the box? Auth0 is free to try, doesn’t require a credit card, and allows for up to 7,000 free active users and unlimited log-ins. Make your new account today and use any of the Auth0 APIs for a chance to win a pair of wireless headphones for you and each member of your team!

[MLH] Best .Tech Domain Name || Blue Snowball Microphone & a Free .Tech Domain Name for up to 10 years!
1 winner

Make your Team's Achievements timeless: Win a .Tech Domain Name for up to 10 years to Showcase and Expand Your Project, Plus Blue Snowball Mics for Effortless Collaboration on Zoom, empowering you to build even more cool things together!

Future Mobility Track
1 winner

Future Mobility: From travel solutions to smarter infrastructure, how can we reshape our cities, countries — or even planets? Focus on innovation in transportation, sustainability, and logistics.

***Prize: Anker Power Bank

Next Frontier Health (ML Track)
1 winner

Next Frontier Health (ML Track): As tech pushes into new frontiers, so should healthcare. Build tools that pivot from the traditional data sets to machine learning/AI solutions to support physical or mental wellness. Develop next-gen health tech where it’s needed most.

**Prize: Spring Revival Owala!

Equity by Design Track
1 winner

Equity by Design: The future needs to work for everyone. This track is designed to make tech inclusive, and accessible. From education to public services. How do we build a better world for everyone?

***Prize: JBL Go 4 - Ultra-Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Philly Special Track
1 winner

Philly Special: The wildcard track is set for takeoff. Whether it is an intergalactic AR tour of Philly history, or a hyper-local app to provide nearby help. Anything goes. Be bold, be creative, and shoot for the stars!

***Prize: XP-PEN Deco Mini7 V2 Drawing Tablet

BONUS! Galactic Market Challenge Track
1 winner

BONUS! Galactic Market Challenge: Not a coder? Bring your Ideas! Not every hacker needs to code. This challenge is for students in business, finance, marketing, or design who want to pitch the next big venture—from Earth to orbit.

***Prize: Satechi Keyboard

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Stephen MacNeil

Stephen MacNeil
Professor / Temple University

Aidan Ouckama

Aidan Ouckama

Yashi Patel

Yashi Patel

Claudia Pine-Simon

Claudia Pine-Simon
Professor / Temple University

Dominique Kliger

Dominique Kliger
Professor / Temple University

Emily Thyrum

Emily Thyrum

Katerina Orlovskiy

Katerina Orlovskiy

Srishty Muthusekaran

Srishty Muthusekaran

Quincy Walker

Quincy Walker
NVIDIA

Eric Zhang

Eric Zhang

Judging Criteria

  • TBD

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

Tell your friends

Hackathon sponsors

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