CHALLENGE

Think Globally, Build Locally 🌍➡️🏙️

At JEWEL CITY HACKS 4.0, we're challenging you to design technology that empowers your city, neighborhoods, and local business communities.

YOUR OBJECTIVE: Create technology that makes cities smarter, more connected, and more inclusive.

Imagine if your code could help solve everyday civic challenges:

  • Could a live transit tracker help residents navigate public transportation more efficiently?
  • Could a secure online voting tool make it easier for neighbors to shape local decisions?
  • Could an intuitive service request platform cut down wait times for permits and city assistance?

Whether you build a mobile app, web solution, or hardware prototype, your innovation should help people and small businesses engage with their communities—and their governments—in smarter, faster, and more meaningful ways.

Remember: The best hacks not only solve problems—they inspire lasting change.

THIS HACKATHON IS OPEN TO STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS.

SCHEDULE

May 9, 2026

  • 8:00 AM - Check-in Begins (San Gabriel Building)
  • 8:15 AM - Breakfast (Coffee, Juice, Fruit, Croissants & Muffins)
  • 8:45 AM - Project Submission Period Opens (on Devpost)
  • 9:00 AM - Team Building & Ideation Activity
  • 9:30 AM - Keynote Speaker (Math Discovery Center)
  • 10:15 AM - Workshop 1: Software Hacking with v0
  • 11:30 AM - Workshop 2: Robotics with Arduino
  • 12:30 PM - Lunch by Jersey Mike's
  • 1:30 PM - Workshop 3: UX/UI with Figma
  • 2:45 PM - Workshop 4: VR with Unity
  • 4:00 PM - Workshop 5: Interview/Resume Skills with LinkedIn
  • 5:15 PM - Dinner by Chipotle
  • 6:00 PM - Project Submission Period Closes (on Devpost)
  • 6:15 PM - Demo Expo
  • 7:15 PM - Closing Ceremony & Prize Distribution
  • 8:00 PM - Check-out Ends

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included. Snacks will be provided throughout the day. The schedule is subject to change.

WORKSHOPS

  1. Software Hacking with v0
  2. Robotics with Arduino
  3. UX/UI with Figma
  4. VR with Unity
  5. Interview/Resume Skills with LinkedIn

 

MENTORSHIP & HARDWARE

Throughout the day, you'll have access to powerhouse mentors from Hacker Fund—think leaders from Apple, Google, Amazon, Meta, Tesla, SpaceX, and more—ready to share their wisdom and help you level up your ideas.

You will have access to hardware for the hackathon that includes:

  • VR headsets for demo
  • Microcontrollers (Arduinos) and sensors
  • Desktop computers (PC)

If you do not have a machine, you will be able to access one in the Math Discovery Center.

You are allowed to bring your own hardware which is limited to VR headsets, microcontrollers, sensors and laptop computers.

 

Requirements

Submissions

Where: Submit here on Devpost!
Deadline: 6:00 PM PT, Sat May 9th, 2026

 

What to Prepare

  • Project name + 1–2 sentence elevator pitch

  • Description: what it does, how you built it, and what's next

  • Repo link (ie. GitHub) with run/setup instructions

  • Team members (use the "Join team" feature on Devpost)

IMPORTANT:

It is highly recommended that all participants create a Devpost account BEFORE beginning working on a project. Note that submissions will NOT be judged via Devpost, so everything besides team members and team/project name are optional. You must submit your project on Devpost before 6:00 PM on May 9th to be eligible to win prizes.

 

Rules & tips

  • One submission per team on Devpost.

  • Edits allowed until 6:00 PM. After the deadline, submissions lock.

  • No late submissions (this keeps judging fair).

  • If you are worried about connectivity issues during your presentation, you may prerecord your demo.

 

Judging Format

  • Each team will present one-by-one in front of the judges

  • Plan for a 3 minute presentation + quick Q&A.

  • Judges look for technical execution, social/local impact, presentation skills, creativity, and feasibility. Be sure to adhere to the judging criteria.

 

Team size

  • Teams of 1–4 are welcome. Solo is okay; collaboration is encouraged.

 

Need help?

Ask in Discord #find-a-mentor or find an organizer on site.

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

$500 in prizes
Prizes will be announced!
$500 in cash
1 winner

This will be published soon.

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Panel of Judges

Panel of Judges

Judging Criteria

  • Technical Execution - 40%
  • Social/Local Impact - 20%
  • Presentation Skills - 15%
  • Creativity - 10%
  • Feasibility - 15%

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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