Builder Guide
Get set up. Build something useful. Make your submission count.
Submission & judging
Open your projectTurn your work into a submission judges can review.
Prepare your project
- Add your project name, description, repository link, and the technologies you used.
- Check your team roster and complete the required fields in the project form.
- Save your project, then record and save a video demo in the project form.
- Submit for judging and check that your project shows as submitted.
Saving a draft does not submit it. After submitting, you can keep saving updates; judges see your latest saved version.
Event-specific instructions
Judging
Judges score each criterion from 1–10. The weighted overall score uses this rubric:
| Criterion | Weight | What judges assess |
|---|---|---|
| Problem and impact — time saved | 40% | A meaningful problem and clear time savings compared with the current workflow. |
| Technical execution | 25% | Working core functionality and the quality and reliability of its implementation. |
| Market and path forward | 15% | A clear target user, a reason to adopt the product, and a realistic development path. |
| Originality | 10% | A fresh idea or a creative approach to an existing problem. |
| Product quality and demo | 10% | An intuitive experience and a clear demonstration of working functionality and value. |
Judges' weighted totals are averaged for each project. A focused hackathon prototype can earn a high score. When explaining time saved, account for setup, review, and corrections.
Judges assess projects independently and provide at least two sentences of substantive feedback per team. They must disclose employment, advisory, investment, or other relationships with assigned teams to the organizers. Partner preferences do not override the overall rubric.
Prizes
| Award | Prize |
|---|---|
| Overall winner | $1,000 plus a guaranteed interview with speedrun and/or Alpha, depending on program fit. |
| Best use of Alike | $1,000 |
| Best use of Darwin | $1,000 |
| Best use of Dial | $1,000 |
| Best use of Keewano | $1,000 |
| Best use of Sparta | $1,000 |
You must be present to claim a prize. Stay for the awards and follow the organizers' instructions for prize collection. An interview does not guarantee program acceptance or investment.
Your work and source code
You retain ownership of your intellectual property. Your repository does not have to be public, but judges need access to the source code for prize eligibility. If your repository is private, ask the HackerSquad organizers how to provide access before the submission deadline.
Venue rules
- Keep your wristband and lanyard on. Your wristband is personal and non-transferable; giving it to someone else results in removal from the event.
- If you leave and return, keep your wristband on and use the lobby entrance and doorbell as directed by security. Ask the check-in team for help if your wristband is lost.
- No alcohol, smoking, or vaping. Do not move furniture.
- Clean up your workspace, collect your belongings, and follow staff and security instructions. Everyone must leave by the 9:00 PM hard out.
Questions or technical problems
Ask onsite partner representatives for help with their tools. For eligibility, team, submission, recording, or source-code access questions, contact the HackerSquad organizers before the deadline.
How your work is judged
Round 1
Published criteriaSpeedHacks: Saving People Time
1. Score independently. 2. Score each project from 1–10 against the judging rubric. 3. Write at least two substantive sentences of feedback for every team. 4. Flag conflicts before judging. 5. Apply the overall rubric fairly. 6. Complete scores and comments for every assigned project. 7. If you need documentation of your judging, connect with Joan before leaving.
- Technical Execution25%
Does the solution work reliably, and how well has the team implemented its core functionality?
- Problem & Impact (Saving people time)40%
Does it solve a meaningful problem and demonstrate clear time savings over the current workflow?
- Originality10%
Does the project offer a fresh idea or a creative approach to an existing problem?
- Product quality and demo10%
Is the experience intuitive, and does the demo clearly show the product working and delivering value?
- Market and path forward15%
Is there a clear target user, a compelling reason to adopt it, and a realistic path to further development?
Final Round
A detailed rubric isn’t published for this judging stage. Check the event instructions or ask the organizers what judges will focus on.
Prizes
Overall Winner
$1,000 + a guaranteed speedrun and/or Alpha interviewAwarded to the best overall project that gives people their time back by solving a meaningful, real-world problem. Includes a guaranteed interview with speedrun and/or Alpha, depending on program fit.
Best Use of Alike
$1,000Recognizes the most creative and effective use of Alike in a working project.
Best Use of Darwin
$1,000Celebrates a standout project using Darwin to help users discover and interact with AI agents.
Best Use of Dial
$1,000Recognizes an outstanding use of Dial to power calls, messaging, or communication for AI agents.
Best Use of Keewano
$1,000Celebrates a project using Keewano to turn event data into useful insights for AI agents.
Best Use of Sparta
$1,000Recognizes a standout use of Sparta to test agents that interact with business APIs.
Photo Challenge
2 × $100 prizes ($200 total)Two $100 prizes: capture the day on LinkedIn or X, get 10 friends to reshare and 20 to comment, then email your post link and screenshot to inquiry@hackersquad.io with the subject "speedhacks social challenge". Tag a16z and HackerSquad and use #speedhacks26.
Demo Video Challenge
$100Share your HackerSquad demo video on LinkedIn or X. The team with the most combined reactions, comments, and reshares on October 18, 2026 wins. Tag a16z and HackerSquad and use #speedhacks26.
Live Demo Raffles
Stay for the live demos for additional chances to win bonus prizes.