About the challenge
I-Hack is a unique opportunity to engage in a fun and creative experience that combines learning, networking, and problem-solving challenges. Participants will get to work with like-minded individuals, attend workshops and guest speaker events to learn new skills, and network with professionals and companies. The hackathon offers a platform for participants to showcase their creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills while having fun and potentially discovering new career opportunities. Overall, iHack promises to be an exciting event that fosters collaboration, innovation, and learning in a dynamic and supportive environment.
Get started
This is an opportunity to learn your capabilities, new skills, working teams, and have a fun time.
- You need to register individually for the event through BYU Ticketing Office.
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You need to Pay Here individually for the event through BYU Ticketing Office. - Tickets are $10 but starting after at 5:00 PM on Friday Oct 17th they go to $15.
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- You need to find or organize a team of 2-4 people, 4 max.
- Register yourself and your team at this site.
- Next you need to pick a category as a team.
- Then brainstorm a problem in that category.
- Finally begin to start a design of the solution to the problem.
You should not begin coding the solution in until 4PM on Nov 13th and will finish the solution by Nov 14th at 4PM. You may gather concept of operations, requirements, designs, tools, and training before the 13th.
Code of Conduct:
All participates must ahere to the BYU-Idaho Ethical/Academic and Honor Code and The CSE Dress and Grooming Priciples and Expectations. Participates must follow the BYU-I AI use policy. All submissions must a follow the ACM Code of Ethics.
Overview:
I-Hack 2026 is an exciting event open to all BYU-Idaho students—no matter your major or background! Whether you're into technology, design, business, communication, science, the arts, or anything in between, this is your chance to team up, learn something new, and put your creativity to the test.
Over the course of the hackathon, you'll collaborate with students from all across campus, attend hands-on workshops, hear from inspiring guest speakers, and connect with professionals and companies who are eager to meet passionate, innovative thinkers like you.
Join us for a full 24 hours of innovation, connection, and discovery—you might even find your next big idea or future career path!
About the Challenge:
Theme: Re-Invent the Past
We have four categories that student groups can enter:
Innovating Yesterday: Reimagine a past invention, product, or idea for today’s world. Examples include improving the typewriter, redesigning the telephone, or modernizing an old household tool.
International: Create a solution that addresses a challenge faced by communities around the world. Examples include improving access to education, transportation, communication, or clean water.
World Fair: Design a project that showcases how technology, creativity, and innovation can improve the future. Examples include smart cities, sustainable living, accessible technology, or future transportation.
Art and Music: Combine technology and creativity to create a new artistic or musical experience. Examples include interactive art, digital music tools, creative performances, games, or technology that makes the arts more accessible.
Requirements
What to Build:
At I-Hack 2026, your team will design and build a project that aligns with one of the three categories: Innovating Yesterday, International, World Fair, Art and Music. Your creation can take many forms—a prototype, app, game, digital tool, interactive experience, or even a conceptual model with a clear implementation plan. The key is to focus on innovation, impact, and collaboration.
Your project should:
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Solve a real problem or explore a meaningful idea in one of the categories
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Demonstrate creativity in design, functionality, or presentation
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Be built or significantly developed during the hackathon
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Include a short pitch or demo to present your solution to judges and peers
Whether you're coding an app that helps students manage stress, designing a game that brings people together, or inventing a tool that reimagines the future of communication—this is your chance to build something bold, useful, and uniquely yours.
No matter your skill set, there's a place for you on a team. Bring your passion, your ideas, and your drive to create. We’ll provide the space, support, and inspiration—you bring the spark.
What to Submit:
How you got to the solution is just as important as the solution it self, along with the crafting. You should plan in your 24-hour schedule to complete the following:
- 60-90 Elevator pitch on your problem and solution
- Location of your development environment (i.e. gitHub, shared drives, slide deck, etc) (we are concerned with both what you did and how you did it)
- Be prepared to do a presentation or 5 min video presentation for the final cut.
Prizes
TBD
Three categories: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
Judges
Faculty Judge
Judging Criteria
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Innovating Yesterday
Reimagine a past invention, product, or idea for today’s world. Judging on: Working Product, Fits the Theme, Publish and Polish, Problem Solving -
International
Create a solution that addresses a challenge faced by communities around the world. Judging on: Working Product, Fits the Theme, Publish and Polish, Problem Solving -
World Fair
Design a project that showcases how technology, creativity, and innovation can improve the future. Judging on: Working Product, Fits the Theme, Publish and Polish, Problem Solving -
Art and Music
Combine technology and creativity to create a new artistic or musical experience. Judging on: Working Product, Fits the Theme, Publish and Polish, Problem Solving
Questions? Email the hackathon manager