Builder Guide
Get set up. Build something useful. Make your submission count.
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Start here: SpeedHacks
October 11, 2026 · San Francisco · Projects due at 5 PM PT
What is SpeedHacks?
What is SpeedHacks? SpeedHacks is the official closing hackathon of SF Hack Week hosted by a16z speedrun and Alpha in partnership with HackerSquad. Teams will have the opportunity to build with five participating speedrun companies’ tools and demo live to their representatives as well as the speedrun and Alpha investment team. The grand prize winning team wins $1K and a guaranteed interview with speedrun and/or Alpha, with the opportunity to receive up to $1M through speedrun or $250K through Alpha if accepted. Teams can also win a prize of $1K for best use of tools from each of the following participating companies: Alike; Darwin; Dial; Keewano; Sparta.
The SpeedHacks challenge is: Give people their time back. Build something that removes a real bottleneck in how people work, learn, or access services.
Who it’s for
Developers, technical founders, and builders who want to turn an idea into a working demo in one day. Come with a team or find collaborators onsite.
How to get started
- Choose your problem. Identify who you’re helping, their current workflow, and the step you can improve.
- Explore the tools. Browse the SpeedHacks resources for quickstarts, documentation, and access to Alike, Darwin, Dial, Keewano, and Sparta. Partner tools are optional for the overall prize; separate prizes recognize their best use.
- Build and test. Create your project during the event. Focus on one useful workflow you can demonstrate end to end. Ask the onsite partner representatives for technical help.
- Prepare your submission early. Sign in to HackerSquad, open SpeedHacks, and add your project details, team members, technologies used, and GitHub repository.
- Submit by 5 PM PT. Save your project details and submit a demo video of five minutes or less. Saving the project or stopping the recording alone does not complete your submission.
What makes a strong demo?
Show the problem, your product working, and the time it saves. Be clear about what works today, what is mocked, and what you would build next.
Need help? Ask the HackerSquad organizers before the deadline, or follow the submission instructions.
Before you build
- Read the event rules →
Check eligibility, team requirements, and permitted work.
- Get your tools ready →
Find documentation, starter kits, and partner resources.
- Plan your submission →
Review the deadline, demo instructions, and judging criteria.