HackRPI 2026: In the Clouds

About HackRPI

HackRPI 2026 is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's 13th annual intercollegiate hackathon hosted by students for students. Starting at noon on Saturday, November 7th, teams of 1-4 people have 24 hours to build and submit projects relating to our theme, In The Clouds. After submitting their projects, participants showcase their work in front of professors, industry professionals, and fellow students.

In The Clouds: Soar to new heights at our 13th annual hackathon. This year’s theme challenges you to design projects that take flight—whether literally or figuratively. Elevate existing solutions to high peaks or even create something new with emerging technologies. After all, the sky’s the limit (or is it?!).

Our goal is to inspire and challenge innovators, creators, developers, and entrepreneurs in New York's Tech Valley and beyond. All students from all schools are welcome to participate, regardless of their major or experience level. Whether you're a seasoned hacker or a first-time participant, HackRPI is the perfect opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people, and have fun!

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FAQ

What is HackRPI?

HackRPI is a 24-hour hackathon where teams of 1-4 come together to create tech projects from scratch. Students design, build, and present software and/or hardware solutions based on our theme, In The Clouds, with the best projects earning big prizes.

When is HackRPI?

HackRPI 2026 will take place on Sat. November 7th and Sun. November 8th. Arrival and check-in takes place from 9-10 AM. Our opening ceremony starts at 10 AM, and hacking begins at 11 AM. All projects must be on Devpost by 9 AM Sunday, and all coding must stop at 11 AM Sunday. Afterwards, teams will present their projects, and the event will conclude around 3 PM on the 8th. We are excited to see you there!

Where is HackRPI?

HackRPI will take place at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, in the Darrin Communication Center (DCC). Darrin Communications Center, 51 College Ave, Troy, NY 12180. See our event information page for more details.

Who can attend HackRPI?

HackRPI is open to all college and university students. We also welcome high school students and participants in early-career programs, including recent graduates up to 3 years out of college.

Is HackRPI free to attend?

Yes! Additionally, thanks to our many wonderful sponsors, all food and swag are completely free for participants!

How do I register?

You can click here to register with Major League Hacking (MLH)

Who can participate?

All college, university, or high school students (see next question) are welcome to participate! Whether you are a hackathon veteran or this is your first hackathon, this is a great opportunity to learn, experiment with new technologies, and grow your skills. Our team of experienced mentors is here to help you in every step of the way, and we have workshops designed to introduce you to new skills and technologies you may want to use for your project.

I'm under 18, can I still participate?

Students under 18 are welcome to attend, but are not allowed to stay overnight in the sleep rooms. Students under the age of 17 must have an adult (21+) chaperone with them at all times during the event.

Do I have to be an RPI student?

No! HackRPI is open to students of all experience levels, and students from all colleges and universities are welcome to attend. Did you know that students from over 25 other colleges attended HackRPI 2025?!

Does HackRPI provide travel reimbursement?

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide travel reimbursement at this time, however, we have sleep rooms on campus for students 18 and older, and we are more than happy to recommend local accommodations if you email us at hackrpi@rpi.edu.

What should I bring?

Bring your team, your laptop, chargers, any hardware you need, and a good night's sleep!

What is the theme?

The theme for 2026's HackRPI is In The Clouds. Our 13th annual hackathon invites creatives to surge to new heights and take on what was once thought impossible. Whether elevating existing technologies to new extremes or creating something never thought of, shoot for the moon!

Is it okay if I am late to the event?

Yes! You can arrive at any time during the event, but we recommend arriving before 11 AM on Saturday. Remember, the later you are, the less time you have to work on your project!

When are submissions due?

All projects MUST be submitted to Devpost by 9 AM on Sunday. You will be able to modify your submission until 11 AM. After 11 AM, no coding or changes to your project are allowed.

How do I submit my project?

You must submit your project on Devpost. See our "Event Information" and "Resources" pages for more details.

When and how will prizes be awarded?

Prizes are announced at the closing ceremony, which will take place around 3 PM on Sunday. Physical prizes will be distributed during the closing ceremony. Winners of cash prizes will be contacted by our team after the event.

Feel free to contact us with any other questions at hackrpi@rpi.edu!

Thank you to our sponsors that make HackRPI possible!

Nuvalence

obsidian

Severino Center for Technological Entrepreneurship

RPI School of Science

Meet the HackRPI Organizing Team

Hello! We are a motivated team of RPI students who share a passion for exploring the bounds of Computer Science and a commitment to organizing a fantastic event. Our team of students from every grade and major work together to organize our annual fall hackathon as well as other smaller events throughout the year. We are always looking for more students to join our team and help us make our event a success. If you are interested in helping, please join our discord or fill out one of the forms below!

Tobias Manayath

Jackson Baimel

Caleb Liu

Jodie Cho

CJ Marino

Ethan Kusse

Devan Patel

Lala Liu

Honorable Mentions

Ryan Bennett [Logistics]

James DeBlock [Marketing]

Somey Dong [Marketing]

Blessing Esochaghi [Marketing]

Corbin Larsen [Logistics]

Steven Luo [Technology]

Matthew Radford [Finance]

Jordan Ye [Technology]