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!
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.
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What to Do:
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Create a business plan, pitch deck, or market strategy
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Propose a product or service that could exist 10+ years from now
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Optional visuals (mockups, branding, demos—no code required)
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Judging Criteria:
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Creativity & originality
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Market viability & future relevance
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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
Prizes
[MLH] Best Use of Gemini API || Mechanical Keyboards
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
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
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!
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
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)
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
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
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
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
Professor / Temple University
Aidan Ouckama
Yashi Patel
Claudia Pine-Simon
Professor / Temple University
Dominique Kliger
Professor / Temple University
Emily Thyrum
Katerina Orlovskiy
Srishty Muthusekaran
Quincy Walker
NVIDIA
Eric Zhang
Judging Criteria
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TBD
Questions? Email the hackathon manager
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