Hacktech is the annual student hackathon run at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena, California.
Participants spend 36 hours building a product on one of the event’s topic tracks, alone or in teams of up to four. The event is now fully in person on the Caltech campus.
Benefits & funding
- Free to attend; food, swag and workshops are provided.
- Travel reimbursement for 2026 was limited and not available to everyone; no partial reimbursement was offered.
- Prizes are awarded across tracks; 2026 prize details were not yet finalized on the site.
Eligibility
- Enrolled college undergraduates, at four-year or community colleges.
- Must be 18 or older (an institute requirement).
- No nationality or residence rule is stated.
- Must attend in person in Pasadena.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Education required
Bachelor Enrolled
Age requirement
≥ 18 yrs
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Application process
- 1Apply through the online application form linked from the Hacktech website before applications close.
- 2Register solo or as part of a team of 1–4 people.
Program timeline
closed (non-Caltech participants)
2026 applications
24–26 April 2026
Hacktech 2026, Caltech campus