A hackathon is a weekend-long invention marathon. Students come together to build innovative software or hardware projects from scratch, learn new tech, and connect with industry professionals.

SharkByte is open to all college and university students, as well as recent graduates (within 12 months). You must be 18 years or older to attend.

Absolutely nothing! Admission, food, drinks, workshops, and swag are all completely free for accepted hackers.

Yes! Hackathons are the best place to learn. We will have beginner-friendly workshops, dedicated mentors to help you get unstuck, and team-building events so you can find a group with mixed skill levels.

Teams can consist of up to 4 members. You can work alone, but we highly encourage collaborating with others!

Don't worry! We host team-formation events at the beginning of the hackathon where you can pitch ideas, meet other hackers, and form a squad before hacking begins.

No. To maintain fairness, all code, design, and assets must be created entirely during the hackathon weekend. You can use open-source libraries and APIs, but the core project must be new.

Bring a valid student/government ID, your laptop, a charger, any hardware you plan to use, comfortable clothes, and toiletries. If you plan on staying overnight, sleeping accommodations are provided, but it can get very chilly! We highly recommend bringing a pillow, warm attire, and blankets.

SharkByte is fully in-person! We believe the best hackathon experience comes from the energy of being on-site, collaborating, and networking face-to-face.

Absolutely! We will provide proper food accommodations for both vegans and vegetarians to ensure everyone stays fully fueled throughout the entire weekend.

Projects are submitted via Devpost and judged by a panel of industry experts and sponsors. Judging criteria typically include technical complexity, innovation, UI/UX design, and practical utility.