Acceptances and rejections are going out now. If you signed up and didn’t hear back, email hurshshah@ucsb.edu.
May 23rd, 2026 • 9am - 9pm • Loma Pelona Center
The
hackathon.
A 12-hour hackathon for the cohort plus a handful of outside UCSB builders. One day, one product, live judging. $1,000 in any AI credits for the winner; $100 in AI credits for every participant.
Prizes
AI credits for the winner, AI credits for everyone.
Grand prize
$1,000 in any AI credits
The winning team picks the stack: $1,000 in credits at the AI provider of their choice.
Every participant
$100 in AI credits
Everyone who ships a project gets $100 in AI credits. Show up, build something, leave with resources to keep going.
Outside winners
Priority for next cohort
If your team wins and you’re not already in the current cohort, you move to the top of the pile for the next ucsb.network intake.
Partner tools
Cursor Pro & more
Cursor Pro, partner AI credits, and a stack discount across our partners for hackathon participants.
Format
Simple rules.
Build something specific, show it off, ship it after.
- 01
Teams of up to four. Solo entries are welcome.
- 02
Build what you want, but be specific about the user and the problem.
- 03
All core code written during the 12-hour event. Boilerplate is fine.
- 04
Judging on product quality, traction, and the quality of your demo.
- 05
Cohort partners automatically qualify. Outside builders are picked from the signup list.
Outside builders
Sign up.
Spots for non-cohort builders are limited and we pick by hand. Tell us a little about you and what you’d build.
Also on Luma
Already know you’re coming? RSVP on the Luma event so you get day-of updates.
Register on Luma →In the current cohort? You’re already in. The hackathon is part of the program and will show up in your member events.
One day, one product, AI credits for everyone.
May 23rd, 2026 at the Loma Pelona Center. Sign up above if you’re outside the cohort and want in.