About the challenge
Hack the Vibe is a 48-hours online hackathon where AI meets entrepreneurship. The goal?
To build a functional startup prototype using vibe coding tools, where you describe what you want, and AI helps you build it.
This hackathon challenges participants to create create startup-worthy solutions using natural language + AI tools like GPT, GitHub Co-pilot, Cursor, and more. Think fast. Think intuitive. Think scalable.
If you've ever had a billion-dollar idea but didn’t know how to build it, this is your moment.
Get started
The challenge will revolve around three domains:
- 🧠 SaaS
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⚡ Productivity
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🏥 Social Good
Problem Statements
- SaaS: Build a platform where users describe their startup idea and get back a working MVP with a landing page, authentication, and a basic database.
- Productivity: Create a platform that turns tool descriptions into working interactive web apps using vibe coding. No code. Just imagination.
- Social Good: Build an assistant that takes in a natural language description (like "a voice-controlled daily planner") and outputs an accessible tool — instantly, no tech knowledge required.
Your task? Use vibe coding to rapidly prototype an MVP that solves a real-world problem in one of these spaces.
Whether you're a future founder, student hacker, or someone who builds with intuition, this hackathon is your launchpad.
Make sure to join our discord for latest updates.
Let’s catch the vibe and crack the code.
Requirements
What to Build
A working MVP that addresses one of the revealed problem statements from the domains of SaaS, Productivity, or Social Good.
Your solution should aim to solve a real-world problem and show potential to evolve into a scalable startup.
What to Submit
Each team must submit the following via Devpost:
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Project Title & Description – What your project does and the problem it solves
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GitHub Repository – Public code with a brief README
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Demo Video (3–5 minutes) – A clear walkthrough of your MVP and how it works
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Toolstack Used – Brief list of AI tools, libraries, or platforms used
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Live Demo Link – Hosted app or interactive preview
Your submission should showcase your build journey, the inspiration, the tools you vibed with, and the creative spark behind your solution.
Prizes
1st Place Winner (All Domains)
Each 1st place winner, one from each domain, will receive a prize bundle that includes ₹7,000 in cash, a 7-day Interview Prep Pass worth $50 from Interview Cake, and a free .xyz domain from gen.xyz. This comprehensive reward package is designed to support top-performing vibe coders with practical resources for interview preparation and tools to launch their personal or startup projects online.
2nd Place Winner (All Domains)
Each second-place winner from the three domains will receive a 7-day Interview Prep Pass worth $50 from our sponsor Interview Cake. This pass gives exclusive access to curated coding interview problems, video explanations, and prep strategy guides designed to help participants ace technical interviews.
3rd Place Winner (All Domains)
Each third-place winner from the three domains will receive a free .xyz domain from .XYZ, perfect for launching their personal website, project, or startup idea. Courtesy of XYZ Registry, empowering creators to build their brand online.
Vibe of the Hack Award
Celebrates the project that best captured the spirit of Hack the Vibe - vibey, unexpected, creative, or just pure fun.
Prize: 2-year VIP CodeCrafters Membership for all team members
Boldest Build Award
Given to the team that took the biggest creative risk, through wild UX, brave logic, or unconventional ideas.
We’re rewarding fearless, experimental execution.
Prize: 1-year VIP CodeCrafters Membership for all team members
Rising Builder Award
Celebrates a standout solo submission or a team of first-time hackers that built something ambitious, clean, and promising, even if it’s not perfect.
Prize: 6-month VIP CodeCrafters Membership for all team members
Devpost Achievements
Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:
Judges
Milankumar Rana
Software Engineer Advisor, FedEx
Nick Steeves
Co-Founder at Event Captain
Nikhil Guru Venkatesh
AI Strategy Architect at Techolution
Stanislav Lukyanov
Director of Product Management, GridGain Systems
Anusha Ravi
Product Leader at Intuit
Monish Alur Gowdru
Security Consultant at Black Duck
Harshith Vaddiparthy
Head of Growth - JustPaid (YCW23)
Prashanthi Matam
Senior software/MLops engineer
Pranjali Kokare
Senior Software Engineer
Wang Ru
Senior Software Engineer / Tech Lead at Meta
Wes Kim
Founding AI Engineer at Arrow
Bhoomi Patel
Software Engineer at Meta
Kavya Chouhan
Co-founder at Tech Horizons Club
Aliasgar Sogiawala
Co-founder at Tech Horizons Club
Bhadra Gada
Co-founder at Tech Horizons Club
Judging Criteria
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Innovation & Problem Fit (25%)
How original is the idea? Does it solve a real-world problem effectively and creatively within the chosen domain? -
Technical Execution (25%)
Does the project function as intended? Is there a working MVP with core features implemented and demonstrated clearly? -
Startup Potential (25%)
Can the idea evolve into a real startup? Is the value proposition clear, and does it have potential for scalability or monetization? -
Presentation (25%)
Is the demo video clear, compelling, and well-structured? Does it explain the what, why, and how of the project effectively?
Questions? Email the hackathon manager
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