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JUDGING FLOW
5 MINUTES, END TO END2 MIN
STORY FIRST
Hacker explains the customer, problem, and solution.
3 MIN
PRODUCT WALKTHROUGH
Judge uses the product as the intended customer.
1 MIN
HIDDEN GEMS
Hacker highlights features the judge might have missed.
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HARD REQUIREMENTS
NON-NEGOTIABLES↳Pitch deck ready to share.
↳Working prototype with an access link for autonomous judging.
▚ WHEN PROJECTS TIE
+Accessibility basics covered: contrast, font sizing, and WCAG considerations for the target audience.
+Solution attacks a massive problem in an overlooked market (e.g. military mental health, rural food scarcity, public transportation).
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SCORECARD
4 CATEGORIES × 5 POINTSEach category is worth five points. Judges weigh evidence, execution quality, and potential impact — not just flashy demos.
HIGH AGENCY / LVL5/5
DID THE TEAM TAKE OWNERSHIP AND MOVE FAST?
- →Customer interviews outside the team validating the hypothesis with evidence.
- →Mid-build testing with prospective customers or stand-ins followed by iteration.
- →Real customers or prospects have already used the current version.
- →The team exhibited relentless momentum throughout the hackathon.
CREATIVITY, INNOVATION & SKILL/5
DID THEY SHIP WITH CRAFT AND ORIGINALITY?
- →Clear demonstration of technical or creative mastery in the solution.
- →A clever, simplified approach that saves time or resources.
- →Blend of technologies, tools, or domain knowledge to unlock the solution.
- →Solution offers a fresh take instead of a straight remake.
PRESENTATION & CLARITY/5
CAN THEY TELL THE STORY UNDER PRESSURE?
- →Customer, problem, and solution are explained so clearly a 5-year-old could get it in two minutes.
- →Demo flows smoothly and showcases the right moments.
- →They can sell the vision and make you believe.
IMPACT & USEFULNESS/5
DOES IT MATTER AND DOES IT WORK?
- →Problem is painful, urgent, and affects a sizable group.
- →Solution directly addresses the core pain point.
- →Execution feels effective and ready to deliver value.
- →Feels like a true MVP with a path to go even further.
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BONUS FUEL
STACKS ON TOPCross-functional team members with meaningful impact.+1
Open-source project or public repo for the community.+1
Functional MVP shipped within the first 24 hours.+1
Visible learning or skill growth during the weekend.+1
The team clearly had fun building together.+1
Judges’ favor at discretion.UP TO +3
EACH +1 IS DISCRETIONARY — IT CELEBRATES TEAMS WHO AMPLIFIED COMMUNITY, LEARNING, AND FUN.