Event Guideline & Rules
Work Only During the Hackathon
Only work created during the official 24-hour hackathon will be considered in the evaluation.
You may use publicly available tools, libraries, frameworks and commodity hardware but no pre-written code, designs, or assets are allowed. If unsure always ask mentors before the event starts.
Basic rules
To ensure fairness and transparency for all teams:
Violation of the rules may result in the disqualification of an individual participant or the entire team.
Play Fair: Act ethically, sustainably, and with respect for yourself, others, and the environment
All project work must take place within the common event venue, primarily in the main hall and neighboring rooms designated for hacking.
If your team has been provided with a hotel room, it is meant for rest and recovery only. Please return to the main hall when actively working on your project.
Teams must consist of 2–5 participants, attending teachers are not allowed to assist you with the project.
Always adhere to established work procedures and guidelines to prevent accidents, be aware of surounding.
Only the top three placements will be officially announced. In addition, partner awards may be presented at the exclusive discretion of our partners. All decisions regarding awards are final and non-negotiable.
The organizers reserve the right to make final determinations on all matters pertaining to the competition.
Do not leave the school premises
During the hackathon it is not allowed to leave the school / campus premises without prior organizer and teacher approval.
Health and Safety
We know a 24-hour hackathon is an exciting and fast-paced experience—but your health and safety always come first! Here’s how you can help make this event safe and enjoyable for everyone:
Take care of yourself! Get rest when you need it, stay hydrated, and don’t hesitate to step away for a quick break.
Remember, there are no “bad” questions when it comes to safety!
Always follow safety procedures and use any personal protective equipment (PPE) provided.
Maintain a tidy workspace—spills and clutter can lead to accidents, be mindful of cords, equipment, and your surroundings to prevent tripping or other hazards.
Only use equipment or tools you are comfortable with. If you are unsure about anything, don’t hesitate to ask a mentor for guidance and make sure you have been trained on any specialized equipment and know where emergency exits and supplies are.
If you spot any hazards—like spills, exposed wires, or anything unsafe—let a mentor or organizer know right away so we can fix it promptly.
Work together. Compete fair.
Play Fair: Act ethically, sustainably, and with respect for yourself, others, and the environment.
Teams must consist of 2–5 participants. Solo participation and mid-event disbanding are strongly discouraged — collaboration is a key part of the challenge.
No roster changes are allowed after start of the contest, if you have any requests before the event starts, contact the organizers.
Attending teachers are not allowed to assist you with the project. If you need help, reach out to our mentors in black t-shirts.
Outsourcing is strictly forbidden. Your team must build the project independently. Any external involvement (e.g. someone outside the venue writing code or providing design work) may result in disqualification.
Help others – although it is a competition feel free to help other teams or give them a hint or helping hand or lend un-used hardware or tools. Collaboration is encouraged.
Devices & Hardware
Devices
Operated responsibly — devices must be safe and legal to use aligned by the rules of the manufacturer, no interference or rogue usage (e.g. jammers, loud devices or any hazardous devices).
- Your responsibility — organizers are not liable for any damage or loss.
- Its strongly forbiden to create new wifi networks without prior approval
Power and internet are shared resources. Avoid high-bandwidth activities (e.g. streaming, large downloads) that might impact others. Please pre-download any Developer Kits and any programs that you may need.
On-Site Hardware
A small pool of shared hardware (e.g. sensors, boards, cables) will be available on-site in case of emergencies or to support teams in need. Use is on a first-come, first-served basis, and all items must be returned in working condition after presentations.
Check out Discord page or ask the tech team for availability and help.
The organizers, venue staff, and mentors assume no liability whatsoever for loss or damage to personal items before, during or after the event. You must operate your devices in a safe manner and in accordance with event guidelines, laws and vendor manuals. Unsafe or disruptive equipment may be prohibited from use. If you are unsure about a specific device or setup, please contact the organizers in advance to ensure it complies with our policies. We recommend that you insure your equipment if you consider it high-value or critical to you.
To ensure a safe, productive, and enjoyable experience for all participants, please note that the organizers, venue staff, and mentors reserve the right to establish additional guidelines or make decisions as necessary during the event. All participants are kindly expected to follow these instructions promptly and without dispute. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Guidelines
Bring it. Build it. Show it.
We operate on a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) model. You’re encouraged to bring and use your own equipment which you have to keep eye on, including:
- Computers are must have
- Any chargers, power strips and pc peripherals
- Microcontrollers (Arduino, ESP32, Raspberry Pi, etc.)
- Sensors, displays, drones, robots, and other hardware
- Software and any subscriptions you want to use
If you have any special hardware you would like to use and you are unsure if you can, please contact organizers.
Staying Healthy & Comfortable
We understand that a 24-hour hackathon can be intense — and that’s okay. Your health and well-being are a priority:
- Use the Fun Zone to take breaks, play games, and recharge mentally.
- During the night hours, the Fun Zone will transform into a Quiet Relaxation Zone for those who need to close their eyes for a bit.
- If you experience discomfort of any kind — whether it’s room temperature, loud music, fatigue, or hunger — please talk to our staff in white t-shirts. They are here to support you.
- We have food, water, and health support available. If you need anything, just ask — our goal is to make sure you can focus, create, and thrive.
- You’re welcome to move around the venue as needed. Don’t forget to visit the FabLab truck on the parking lot, where you can get help with 3D printing, laser cutting, and hardware prototyping.
Please keep your physical and mental health in mind. No idea is worth a burnout, take a break and rest if you need to. We want you to enjoy the process as much as the result.
Judging Criteria
It’s not just about what you build – it’s about how you build it.
Your team will be evaluated across the entire hackathon journey — not just your final presentation. Judges and mentors will observe your behavior, collaboration and problem-solving throughout the event.
Judging starts from the moment of the event start and continues through all phases of the contest. This helps us recognize effort, creativity and fair play — not just polished demos. (We care for what is hidden under the nice cover)
Judges are divided between technical and business jury. Business jury looks on idea, added value, innovation and presentation. Technical jury is also looking for idea, but they are focusing on how you build the solution and what technologies have you used.
Meet the Staff
White Shirts – we’re responsible for the event function, not mentoring. We ensure the event runs smoothly, keep an eye on catering, provide moral support when people are desperate, and can find things even if we don’t have them.
Black Shirts – We’re your hackathon mentors, ready to help you turn your ideas into reality and race across that finish line! Whether you need feedback on your concept, help with your solution, or a boost for your presentation, we’ve got your back every step of the way. Stuck on something? We’ll get you moving again. Want to wow the business jury? We’ll help you make your pitch shine. Got questions? We’ve got answers—and plenty of feedback! Let’s make your project the best it can be!
Gray Shirts – Meet Petr the Chief Hacktator, Dan, and Alex his robins—the legendary trio running the show! As the ultimate organizers, they’re the masterminds behind the event and the go-to heroes for all things. If you need a decision, these are the folks with the final word. When in doubt, look for the gray shirts—they’re the top bosses making sure everything runs smoothly!
What is your goal?
What is your goal?
Bring an innovative idea to realization, one that you won’t find with a simple Google search.
A product/prototype/project that you can showcase, as functional as possible, to be demonstrated in front of a business jury.
The Live Demo will be a presentation of your project without a slideshow (PowerPoint, Canva, etc.). On the projector, you can have:
- Live demo
- A schematic
- A mocked interface, etc.
- Logo, background
- Close-up camera, video recording
Show us what it does. What would be the next step in development? Sell us your idea!
What is your goal?
Ideation
- Think BIG
Solve any problem corresponding to Hackathon topic, briefly describe the problem or need that your idea addresses. - Is your idea innovative?
Explain what makes your idea new, unique, or different from existing solutions. - Does your idea improve life, the environment, etc.?
Specify how your idea positively impacts users, society, or the environment. - Who is the target group?
Describe the intended audience for your solution (age, profession, interests, etc.).
Validation and Scope
- Is your innovation really innovative?
Do a quick research to see if similar solutions exist If it does, explain how yours is different. - What is the overall goal?
Define the main vision and long-term goal of your project. - What features are essential for presenting the idea?
List the „must-have“ features that are necessary to showcase your idea. - What can you accomplish in 24 hours?
Select the core features you can build in 24 hours and demonstrate within 180 seconds.
Realization
- What tools and resources can you use?
Anything! Be creative, resourceful and feel free to discover new things. - What to keep in mind?
Be carefull about licences, legal restrictions and regulations. Think about the overall economy of solution (building and upkeep costs). - Think about ethic, ecology, sustainability and inclusive design.
Hardware (HW)
- Sensors, boards (e.g., Arduino, Raspberry Pi), 3D printer, FabLab technologies, robots
Software (SW)
- Programming languages, libraries, datasets, frameworks
Demo
- How will you present your idea to the world and how will you communicate your idea?
Think how you will showcase your solution (video, prototype, live demo). Think about your target audience align your communication accordingly. - Who is your product intended for, what does it do for them and where is the innovation?
Reiterate the target group and explain why and how is your solution relevant for them, explain how is it innovative. - Can you describe how would distribution look like, and how would you develop the idea further?
Describe your strategy for getting your solution to your target users, if unsure ask Czech Invest, they will help you out! Outline the steps you would take to improve or expand your idea after the first demonstration.
Bonus: Economic perspective: Think about how your product would look if you had 1 million dollars.
What to Expect from a Hackathon
- A creative, high-pressure environment refined to perfection by years of experience
- Mentors from many fields of expertise
- New challenges and creative solutions to all problems
- Hacker stereotypes → Coffee & Pizza
- Like in cotton wool – Food, drinks, and rooms, work and relaxation spaces, everything will be prepared for you
- An expert, multidisciplinary jury
- Plenty of power outlets and reliable internet
- Interesting partners, networking opportunities
- Valuable prizes and experiences for a lifetime
Award
Prize pool ~60 000 CZK