October 3-4, 2026
University Center, University of Michigan-Dearborn
24 Hours | In Person | Free to Attend
Hack Dearborn returns for its fifth year with Hack Dearborn: Conjure Reality. That's 24 hours of building, learning, experimenting and turning imagination into something real.
Hosted by the Google Developer Group on Campus at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, Hack Dearborn brings together hundreds of students, developers, designers, engineers, creators and first-time hackers for one weekend.
Whether this is your first time writing code or your tenth hackathon, Hack Dearborn is a place to experiment, meet new people, learn new technologies and create something you're proud of.
This year, we challenge hackers to Conjure Reality. Take an idea that exists only in your imagination and turn it into something people can see, experience, use or learn from.
Important: registration
You must apply through the official Hack Dearborn website to attend: hackdearborn.org/apply
Joining the event on Devpost does not register you for the in-person hackathon or guarantee you a place. Every member of your team must complete the official Hack Dearborn application and meet the eligibility requirements.
Tracks
Shaping Society. Technology for a more equitable, sustainable world. Develop solutions that improve access to healthcare, clean water, food security, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability or crisis response. Aim for practical, scalable solutions that put equity and long-term impact first.
Enchanted Transit. Intelligent systems that move across land, air and sea. Explore smart, connected transportation, from futuristic cars to advanced aircraft and connected transit, to make travel safer, faster and more efficient.
Mindscapes. Immersive experiences that redefine how we learn. Build tools and platforms that make education more effective, engaging and personalized, from AI-powered study aids and interactive apps to smarter classroom technology.
Ideation Matrix. The wildcard track. Conjure anything. This track is for ideas that defy categories: bold, unconventional projects that rethink what technology can do and blur the line between reality and imagination.
Schedule
Saturday, October 3
- 9:00 AM: Check-in and breakfast (RUC Hallway)
- 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM: Sponsor fair and professional headshots (RUC Hallway)
- 11:15 AM: Opening ceremony (Kochoff Hall). Attendance is mandatory.
- 12:00 PM: Hacking begins
- 12:00 PM: Lunch (McKinley Cafe)
- 1:00 PM: Technical mentor tables (Kochoff Hall)
- 6:00 PM: GitHub workshop (RUC 1225)
- 7:00 PM: Dinner (McKinley Cafe)
- 8:00 PM: MLH Cup Stacking (RUC Stage)
- 11:00 PM: Building entry closes. No re-entry after 11 PM.
Sunday, October 4
- 12:00 AM: Register your team's project on Devpost by midnight. You can keep editing until noon.
- 12:00 AM: Midnight snack and game night
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast (McKinley Cafe)
- 9:30 AM: MLH workshop: How to Demo (RUC 1225)
- 12:00 PM: Hacking ends. Devpost submissions lock.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch (McKinley Cafe)
- 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM: Judging expo (Kochoff Hall)
- 4:00 PM: Closing ceremony and awards (ELB Atrium)
Prizes
- 1st Place: Nintendo Switch 2
- 2nd Place: Meta Quest 3S
- 3rd Place: Bose QuietComfort Headphones
- Shaping Society: Kodak PIXPRO FZ45
- Enchanted Transit: Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3
- Mindscapes: Fitbit Charge 6
- Ideation Matrix: Wacom One S
There's also a raffle with more than 15 prizes, open to every hacker during the weekend.
Team size
Teams can have 1 to 4 hackers. Come alone, bring a team or find teammates at Hack Dearborn. We'll set aside time before hacking begins for people looking for a team. Every team member must be registered individually and be eligible.
Gold: CDW
Silver: AMD, Astemo, BorgWarner, Bosch, Dell
Bronze: Consumers Energy, Ford, Rezzy, 365 Retail Markets
Friends: Incogni, LightGuide, NordPass, NordVPN, Saily, Coveron, TechSmith, Featherless, Pure Buttons, Atomic Object
Questions
Email info@hackdearborn.org or join our Discord. More at hackdearborn.org.
Hosted on Devpost