HackHounds ’26 is Loyola University Maryland’s annual 24‑hour hackathon where students from any school come together to build, learn, and create. Whether you’re a first‑time hacker or an experienced developer, HackHounds is designed to be welcoming, beginner‑friendly, and packed with opportunities to explore new technologies, meet collaborators, and ship something you’re proud of.

Across a full weekend of hacking, workshops, speakers, and community events, participants choose from six tracks — Finance, AI/ML, Health, General, Hardware, and Cybersecurity — or build anything they’re passionate about. With mentors on site, hands‑on sessions, and a supportive environment, HackHounds empowers students to experiment boldly and bring ideas to life.

What makes HackHounds special is its culture: a high‑energy, student‑run event built around collaboration, creativity, and accessibility. From late‑night game tournaments to industry speakers and a full project expo, the experience is designed to be both fun and impactful. And with prizes across every track — plus awards for Best Overall and Best Everyday Use — there’s room for every kind of builder to shine.

Event Schedule Saturday, April 11

Morning

  • 8–9 AM — Check‑In

  • 9–9:30 AM — Opening Ceremony

  • 9:30–10 AM — Team Formation

  • 10 AM — Hacking Begins

  • 10 AM — Speaker #1: Miles Hall & Kelechi Opurum — “AI / Vercel”

Afternoon

  • 12–1 PM — Brunch

  • 1–2 PM — Speaker #2: Quiana Bannerman — “The Future of Work & Learning with AI”

  • 2:15–5 PM — Workshop

Evening

  • 6–7 PM — Dinner

  • 7–8 PM — Speaker / Panel

  • 9 PM–12 AM — Nintendo Game Night + Board Games + Hacking

Late Night

  • 12–12:30 AM — Midnight Snack

  • 1–7 AM — Overnight Hacking

Sunday, April 12

Morning

  • 7–8 AM — Breakfast

  • 8–10 AM — Final Sprint

  • 10 AM — Hacking Ends

  • 10–10:30 AM — Submissions & Presentations

  • 10:30 AM–12 PM — Project Demos

  • 12–1 PM — Lunch

  • 12–2 PM — Judging

Afternoon

  • 1–2 PM — Career Center Workshop

  • 3–4 PM — Awards Ceremony

  • 4:15 PM — Event Ends

 

Requirements

Submission Requirements 

To be eligible for judging at HackHounds ’26, each team must submit the following on Devpost:

1. A Working Project

Your submission should include a project built during the 24‑hour hackathon. It can be software, hardware, or a hybrid build. Projects must be created entirely during the event, except for pre‑built libraries, frameworks, or assets that are publicly available.

2. Project Description

Your Devpost submission must clearly explain:

  • What your project does

  • The problem it solves

  • How you built it

  • The technologies, APIs, or hardware you used

  • Any challenges you faced

  • What you learned

  • What makes your project unique

4. GitHub Repository

Include a link to your code repository. Your repo should contain:

  • All source code

  • Setup instructions

  • Any necessary environment variables or configuration notes

  • Hardware diagrams (if applicable)

5. Team Information

List all team members on Devpost. Every participant must be registered on Devpost and added to the project to be eligible for prizes.

6. Track Selection

Choose one of the six tracks your project fits best:

  • Finance

  • AI/ML

  • Health

  • General

  • Hardware

  • Cybersecurity

Judges will evaluate your project based on the track you select.

7. Optional Prize Categories

If your project qualifies for special awards (e.g., Best Overall, Best Everyday Use), indicate this in your submission.

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

10 non-cash prizes
Apple Airpods 4
1 winner

1st Overall Winner

JBL FLIP 5 Speakers
1 winner

2nd Overall Winner

Portable Charger
1 winner

3rd Overall Winner

Hardware Wallet
1 winner

Best Finance Track

Fitbit
1 winner

Best Health Track

Digital Camera
1 winner

Best AI/ML Track

Owala Water Bottle
1 winner

Best General Track

Laptop Bag
1 winner

Best Hardware Track

Go Pro
1 winner

Best Cybersecurity Track

Backpack
1 winner

Best Everyday Use

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

David Opitz

David Opitz
Information Security Analyst

Wendy Bolger

Wendy Bolger
Director Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Bahram Roughani

Bahram Roughani
Associate Dean of the Natural and Applied Sciences

Bernard McManus

Bernard McManus
VP of Platform at Blackpoint

Jason McMahon

Jason McMahon
Technology Support Specialist

Judging Criteria

  • Creativity & Innovation
    How original, bold, or inventive the idea is. Unique approaches and fresh problem‑solving stand out.
  • Impact & Usefulness
    How effectively the project solves a real problem or provides value to users.
  • Presentation & Clarity
    How clearly the team explains what they built, why it matters, and how it works.
  • Design & User Experience
    How intuitive, polished, and user‑friendly the interface or experience is.

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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