Hack-SA is the first hackathon organized by Texas A&M University San Antonio's Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and Association for Computing Machinery Women (ACM-W) . What sets our hackathon apart is our unwavering commitment to breaking down barriers and welcomping participants from all backgrounds, regardless of their level of experience, major, or personal affiliations. We believe that by bringing together a diverse group of minds from various industries, we can drive innovation, solve real-world problems, and inspire the next generation of tech leaders.

Hack-SA Tracks

Tech Track Challenges

Challenges related to technology such as software development, data science, and artificial intelligence. 

  • Best Beginner Hack: Create technologies that encourage diversity, equity, and inclusion within the tech field.
  • Best General Hack: Build a platform that connects consumers with local businesses as a way to encourage shopping locally and boosting the economy in any capacity.

Business Track Challenges

Tracks related to business, such as entreprenurship, marketing, and finance

  • Track 1: Develop a sustainable and enviornmentally friendly business model for a small business that contributes to social good
  • Track 2: Create a hack that contributes to the digital literacy training, and access to technology of underrepresented populations or makes an effort to bridge the digital divide. 

Social Change Track

Tracks related to social change, such as education, healthcare, and enviornmental sustainability.

  • Track 1: Create a hack that contributes to the increase of healthcare access
  • Track 2: Analyze the given data, identify disparities and interventions for disabilities

Requirements

What to Submit

  • Project Description: Each submission must include a brief description of the project including the problem being addressed and the proposed solution. 
  • Write-up, Demo Video, or Functional Link: Each submission must include a write-up, demo video, or functional app that showcases the project's features and functionality. If you are submitting a link, please ensure the link is functional before submission.. 
  • Elevator pitch/presentation: Hackers should prepare an elevator speech or presentation to showcase their project during the judging process. 
  • Team Information: The team (upt to 4 hackers) should provide a list of all team members, including their names and email addresses. This will help ensure all team members receive communication about the hackathon.
  • Technical Requirements: Participants should provide a list of the technical requirements needed to run the project. If submitting code, please ensure it is functional and compiled with concise documentation on how to run the code. 

While you are allowed to use existing projects as inspiration for this hackathon, we ask that your submissions include original ideas, code, presentations, etc. Please feel free to make use of any open source projects that align with your unique Hack-SA innovations!

Team Composition

  • Teams can range in size from 2-5 people. Specific roles for hackers are not required but teams can include a mix of skills and roles such as:

           ● Project Leader ● Graphic/Design ● Computer Science ● Communication Role 

Judging and Scoring

There will be one round of judging in the Upland Hackathon. All submissions will be reviewed and scored by the judges. The top 3 highest scoring submissions from each track will be named Hackathon Winners for their specific tracks. All hackers are allowed to challenge the scoring, please email all concerns to hacksa@jaguar.tamu.edu. Hackers will be judged on the following criteria:

  • Quality of Pitch: Includes creativity, originality, and the “wow” factor of the idea. This portion should cover how your product has value.
  • Quality of Prototype: - Includes how well the idea was executed by the developers. The design layout and user experience are easy to follow. (Polishness)
  • Business Feasibility: Does the solution bring business value? For example: Can it be monetized? 
  • Fulfillment of the Mission Statement: How well did the project meet the Mission of the Hackathon? 

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

$1,500 in prizes
Hackathon Prizes
6 winners

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Brandon Earwood

Brandon Earwood
Professor at Texas A&M University San Antonio

Clarissa Tejeda

Clarissa Tejeda
Community Outreach

Judging Criteria

  • Project Description
    Each submission must include a brief description of the project including the problem being addressed and the proposed solution.
  • Write-Up, Demo Video, or Functional Link
    Each submission must include a write-up, demo video, or functional app that showcases the project's features and functionality. If you are submitting a link, please ensure the link is functional before submission.
  • Elevator Pitch/Presentation
    Hackers should prepare an elevator speech or presentation to showcase their project during the judging process.
  • Team Information
    The team (up to 4 hackers) should provide a list of all team members, including their names and email addresses. This will help ensure all team members receive communication about the hackathon.
  • Technical Requirements
    Participants should provide a list of the technical requirements needed to run the project. If submitting code, please ensure it is functional and compiled with concise documentation on how to run the code.
  • Credibility
    While you are allowed to use existing projects as inspiration for this hackathon, we ask that your submissions include original ideas, code, presentations, etc.

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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