Hack UniversityHackathonsCodeFest: Edition Dec 2025Session A | CodeFest Online Week-Long Sprint

Session A — Online Week-Long Sprint

Dates: Fri, Nov 28 → Sat, Dec 6, 2025 (ET).

A two-part problem-solving competition that includes a traditional Hackathon (Tech – coding/development) and a Business Venture Arena competition (no-code pitch), all built around the theme of marketing, business strategy, and AI-powered innovation.

Kick off on Nov 28 and keep building through Dec 6 with mentor hours, checkpoints, and remote-friendly support.

Timeline: Continuous 168-hour build window across Nov 28–Dec 6 (ET).

Heads up: The Build challenge prompts are revealed at the online opening ceremony (Fri, Nov 28 @ 10:00 PM EST). Live demo presentations are required; no live demo presentation = 0 points. RSVP on the Bevy event calendar for automatic email updates.
Join Opening Ceremony Join Closing Ceremony

Event Details

Nov 28–Dec 6 (ET) Continuous build Online/Synchronous

Plan for:

  • Check-in + kickoff stream and team formation (Nov 28 @ 10:00 PM ET)
  • Mentor hours and mid-sprint checkpoints
  • Submission window and live demos (Dec 6)
Register (OneStopForm)Add to CalendarAgenda

Participant subscriptions/APIs, perks, etc. require registration with the OneStopForm (use your Gmail account).

Themes

Build solutions at the intersection of business, marketing, finance, and AI.

Open WorldwideAll MajorsAll UniversitiesLearners 16+Marketing AnalyticsGrowth & Customer InsightsFinance & FinTech ToolsAI-Assisted Decision MakingBusiness Strategy & Operations

Registration Steps – Session A

  1. RSVP on Bevy Event Ticket
  2. Register on OneStopForm for tools/perks
  3. Register on Devpost for submissions
  4. Join Code Crunch Discord (check mentorship channels & schedules)
  5. Read Hacker Guide & Toolkit
  6. Read Event Agenda
  7. Create your GitHub repo and make your first commit
  8. Submit final links by Dec 6 @ submission deadline

Check-in Steps – Session A

  1. Check in with your ticket on Bevy Event Ticket
  2. Complete the Check-in Form
  3. Add team members (if any) on Devpost (edits allowed before deadline)
  4. Create a PUBLIC GitHub repo and make your first commit
  5. Check mentorship channels & schedules on Discord.
    You must already have access to the Code Crunch Discord server to view these channels. The links below do notprovide an invitation if you’re not already a member; they only provide direct access for members who are already in the server.
  6. Attend workshops (see agenda )
  7. Submit your project (see agenda )
  8. View the Live Demos Presentation Order (see List ) at the end of the agenda, which becomes available after the submission deadline.

Resources

  • Agenda & checkpoints
  • Hacker Guide & Toolkit
  • Mentor Directory & Office Hours (find them on Discord mentorship channels)
  • No-cost subscriptions/APIs/perks
  • Devpost (submissions)
AgendaHacker GuideDiscord Mentorship Q&A channelSubscriptions/APIs/PerksDevpost  Photo Album

Community Platforms

Stay connected with Code Crunch & Hack University across platforms for announcements, reminders, and ongoing support.

  Join Discord  Instagram  GroupMe

Tracks & Judging

Criteria: Technical Difficulty · Functionality · Innovation & Creativity · Design & User Experience · Impact & Usefulness · Presentation & Demo

General Build [Track #1 — Hackathon Competition]

Build a marketing, business, finance, or AI-powered tool that delivers real measurable value. This track focuses on prototypes that solve operational problems, automate workflows, provide analytics, or enhance decision-making. Think dashboards, AI agents, automation tools, or data-driven insights that teams could realistically pilot within 3–12 months.

Detailed challenge prompts for this track will unlock on this page at Fri, Nov 28 @ 10:00 PM EST during the opening ceremony. See the Challenge Prompts section below for details once revealed.

Venture Arena (Pitch) [Track #2 — Business Venture Arena Competition]

Design a no-code startup, program, or business venture that solves a real marketing, business, or finance problem using strategy, research, and AI-enabled insights. Clearly define your customer, validate your problem, build a value proposition, and outline a realistic business model along with a launch and growth plan.

Challenge prompts for the Venture Arena will also unlock at Fri, Nov 28 @ 10:00 PM EST in the Challenge Prompts section.

Challenge Prompts

Locked until Fri, Nov 28 @ 10:00 PM EST

The detailed challenge prompts for both tracks will be unveiled live at 10:00 PM EST on Friday, Nov 28 during the online opening ceremony. Until then, prompts remain hidden on this page.

Countdown to prompt reveal (ET): calculating…

Prizes & Awards

Prizes or awards for 1st Place Winners — Each Track

  • Each track will have a 1st Place Winner announced after the live closing ceremony.
  • Visit the Devpost submission portal to view the "Prizes" card located on the top-right section of the page.
  • The prize list and descriptions are subject to change based on:
    • Partner sponsorships and contributions
    • Available funding and event resources
  • Check the Devpost page regularly for updates leading up to the event start.
  • The Project Gallery tab on Devpost will display all submitted projects once the gallery opens before the live demos at the closing ceremony.
  • If your project does not appear in the Project Gallery, you may have missed a required step on Devpost.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure that:
    • All required Devpost information fields are completed.
    • Your project is submitted correctly and marked as “Published.”
  • If any issue arises, please reach out to the event organizers via LinkedIn ahead of time for assistance.

Devpost serves as the official source of truth for all prize announcements and project listings.

View Prizes & Perks Overview

Judges, Mentors & Speakers

  • The official list of judges, mentors, and speakers is displayed on the Devpost event page.
  • To view them:
    • Open the Devpost submission portal.
    • Scroll to the bottom of the page to find the Judges section.
    • Speaker and mentor details are also displayed in the same area.
  • These listings are updated frequently to reflect:
    • New confirmations
    • Schedule adjustments
    • Partner or organization updates
  • For the most accurate and recent information, always check Devpost.

Devpost will show the confirmed names, titles, organization affiliations, and event designations (Judge, Mentor, Speaker) for each volunteer before the live demos at the closing ceremony.

Partners