The Ideathon is a innovation-driven competition designed for problem solvers, critical thinkers, and aspiring product leaders. Unlike traditional hackathons, which often focus on technical implementation, Ideathon emphasizes product thinking, design, and strategic problem-solving, making it accessible to all students. No coding experience required!

Over the weekend, participants will collaborate in teams, develop creative solutions to real-world industry challenges, and present their ideas to a panel of experienced judges from top tech companies. Whether you're passionate about technology, business, sustainability, or social impact, this is your chance to turn ideas into action and compete for prizes!

Requirements

What to Build

Participants will receive a prompt or challenge statement at the kickoff event. Over the weekend, teams will collaborate to develop an innovative solution and create a high-fidelity prototype.

Prototype Requirements

  • Design a high-fidelity prototype using Figma
  • The prototype should clearly demonstrate the core functionality and user experience of the proposed solution.
  • Teams are encouraged to be creative and think outside the box.

What to Submit

Each team must submit the following deliverables on Devpost by Sunday, November 9, 2025, at 9:00 AM CST.

1. Video Presentation (5 minutes) – Required

  • A recorded video walkthrough of the solution and prototype.
  • The video should highlight key design choices and explain the problem-solving approach.
  • The prototype must be clearly showcased in the video.
  • Teams can use screen recordings, voiceovers, or storytelling techniques to present their work.
  • Presentations over 5 minutes will be automatically disqualified.

2. Design File Link – Required

  • publicly accessible link to the Figma file containing the final prototype.
  • Ensure all contributions from team members are included.

3. Team Information – Required

  • A list of all team members.
  • Acknowledgments of any references or inspirations for the project.

Submission Deadline

All submissions must be completed and uploaded to Devpost by Sunday, November 9, 2025, at 9:00 AM CST.

Late submissions will not be accepted, so teams should plan accordingly and ensure everything is finalized before the deadline.

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

3 non-cash prizes
TCL 40" Q3K Series 1080P FHD QLED Smart TV with Fire TV – 40Q3K
1 winner

1st place winner

1080P HD Foldable Drone
1 winner

2nd place winner

JLab Go Air Pop+ True Wireless Earbuds
1 winner

Best UI/UX Design

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Victoria Fernandez

Victoria Fernandez
Google

Vignesh Radha Krishnan

Vignesh Radha Krishnan
Waymo

 Marco Bonechi

Marco Bonechi
Google

Allison Geary

Allison Geary
Accenture

Jill Honeycutt

Jill Honeycutt
Texas A&M University

Judging Criteria

  • Problem Understanding
    How well does this team understand the problem?
  • Innovation & Creativity
    Is the solution creative and innovative? Does it offer a unique perspective or new approach?
  • Feasibility
    How realistic is the solution? Can it be practically implemented with available resources?
  • User-Centric Design
    Does the solution prioritize user experience and needs? Is it accessible, intuitive, and user-friendly?
  • Strategy & Market Fit
    Does the solution align with the market's needs and have a clear value proposition? Does it consider competitors and potential market impact?
  • Implementation Plan
    Is there a clear and logical roadmap for implementation? Are milestones and priorities well-defined?
  • Data & Metrics
    Did the team provide relevant metrics or KPIs to measure the success of their solution?
  • Presentation & Communication
    Is the solution presented in a clear, compelling, and structured manner? Are the visuals and storytelling effective?
  • Overall Impact
    What is the potential overall impact of the solution? Does it address the problem in a significant way?

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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