305 HackShells Edition — September 2026 THE EVENT IS ORGANIZED BY SWIFT CLUB AT FIU & GDG AT FIU
An initiative made possible by Swift Club at FIU, Google Developer Group at Florida International University (GDG at FIU), Code Crunch Worldwide, ColorStack at FIU, CAHSI at FIU, Raspberry Pi Code Crunch, Hack University Worldwide, and Upsilon Phi Epsilon.
Official Hackathon Website
305 HackShells Edition:
305hackshells.vercel.app
Full event details, eligibility requirements, tracks, categories, prizes, schedules, judging criteria, and participation information are available on the Official Hackathon Website: 305hackshells.vercel.app
In-Person Hackathon
Friday, September 18, 2026
Location: Florida International University — MMC
PG6, Room 144
Participants must complete a live demo to be eligible for prizes and winner recognition.
Projects may be submitted individually or as a team.
To qualify as a winner, participants must present a working prototype or completed project that demonstrates and validates their idea.
Project Submission Platforms
Each prize platform represents a separate competition category. Participants must follow the submission requirements for each category they wish to enter.
Best Overall — Devpost
Platform: Devpost
Prize: Winner Certificate
Every project must be submitted to Devpost to be considered an official 305 HackShells submission and eligible for Best Overall.
The winning team or individual will receive an official 305 HackShells Winner Certificate.
Participants must complete the required live demo to be eligible to win.
MLH Challenge
Category: Major League Hacking (MLH) Prize
Platform: MLH
Prize: $50 Gift Card per Winning Team Member, up to 4 Members
Participants who want to compete for the MLH Challenge must complete the applicable MLH challenge requirements and submission process.
The winning team will receive a $50 gift card for each eligible team member, up to four team members, for a maximum total prize value of $200 per winning team.
Participants competing for the MLH prize must also complete the required Devpost submission.
Kaggle Challenge
Category: Optional / Opt-In Challenge
Platform: Kaggle
Prize: Winner Certificate
Participants who want to compete in the Kaggle Challenge must opt in and complete the applicable Kaggle submission requirements.
The winning team or individual will receive an official 305 HackShells Winner Certificate.
Participants competing through Kaggle must also complete the required Devpost submission.
Important Submission Rules
Devpost is required for ALL projects. MLH and Kaggle submissions do not replace the required Devpost submission.
Every team or solo participant must:
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Submit the project to Devpost.
This submission is required for every participant and team.
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Complete a live project demo on Friday, September 18, 2026.
A live demo is required to be eligible for prizes and winner recognition.
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Present a working prototype or completed project.
The project must demonstrate and validate the idea. A concept or presentation without a developed project is not sufficient.
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Complete additional submissions when competing for optional prizes.
Participants competing for the MLH Challenge must complete the applicable MLH requirements. Participants competing for the Kaggle Challenge must complete the applicable Kaggle requirements.
A project may compete in Best Overall through Devpost and may additionally opt into the MLH and/or Kaggle challenges when eligible.
Prize & Recognition Summary
Best Overall — Devpost
Prize: Winner Certificate
MLH Challenge
Prize: $50 Gift Card per Winning Team Member, up to 4 Members ($200 maximum per winning team)
Kaggle Challenge
Prize: Winner Certificate
One winner may be selected for each eligible competition category.
Event Participation
The 305 HackShells Edition is open to students from all majors.
The hackathon gives participants an opportunity to build a real project, transform an idea into a working prototype, collaborate with other students, develop technical and interdisciplinary skills, gain experience for their portfolios and résumés, and present their work through a live demo.
Food and refreshments will be provided during the event.
Official Information
For complete information regarding eligible submissions, tracks, categories, judging criteria, participation requirements, schedules, and prize details, review the Preflight Tasks and Hack Agenda available through the:
Official 305 HackShells Website:
305hackshells.vercel.app
Event Date: Friday, September 18, 2026
Location: FIU MMC — PG6 Room 144
Hosted on Devpost