About the challenge
Southwest MN Hacks: Marshall Edition is Marshall's first-ever student hackathon. A beginner-friendly, 12-hour event where students come together to turn ideas into real projects.
Join us on Saturday, March 21, 2026 (8:00 AM to 8:00 PM) at the Upper Conference Center, Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU), Marshall, MN.
Students from high schools, community colleges, and universities will work in small teams (up to 4 people) to build technology solutions to real-world problems. By the end of the day, teams demo what they built, whether that's a website, mobile app, automation tool, data project, or AI prototype.
No experience necessary. This event is designed for first-time hackers just as much as experienced developers.
Sponsor Challenge: Schwan's Company, our Platinum Sponsor, is providing a real-world business challenge. Details will be announced at the opening ceremony.
What's Included (FREE)
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks throughout the day
- T-shirts and event swag
- Mentorship and technical support from SMSU Computer Science faculty
- Workshops and starter resources
- Plaques and medals for the top 5 teams
Get started
Who Can Participate:
- Ages 14+ (high school, community college, and university students)
- All skill levels welcome, from complete beginners to experienced developers
- Teams of 1 to 4 people (solo participants will be matched with a team)
How to Register: Visit southwestmnhacks.org to register. Registration is free.
Schedule
| Time | Event |
| 8:00 AM | Opening Ceremony & Welcome |
| 8:30 AM | Team Formation |
| 9:00 AM | Hacking Begins |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch |
| 3:00 PM | Afternoon Snacks |
| 5:00 PM | Submissions Due on Devpost |
| 5:15 PM | Team Demos & Presentations |
| 6:30 PM | Dinner |
| 7:15 PM | Awards Ceremony & Closing |
| 8:00 PM | Event Ends |
Hosted by ETM Software Solutions | southwestmnhacks.org
FAQ
Do I need coding experience?
Not at all! SouthwestMN Hacks is beginner-friendly. We'll have workshops, mentors, and resources to help you get started. No-code and low-code tools are welcome too.
How much does it cost?
Nothing. Completely free! Registration, meals, snacks, t-shirts, and all resources are included.
Do I need a team?
You can register solo and we'll help match you with a team during team formation. Teams can have 1 to 4 members.
What should I bring?
Your laptop, charger, and any devices you want to work with. We provide food, Wi-Fi, power strips, and workspace.
How do I submit my project?
All submissions go through this Devpost page. We'll walk you through the process at the event. Submit before 5:00 PM CT.
Can I use pre-existing code or projects?
You can use open-source libraries and APIs, but your project idea and core implementation must be new, started and built during the hackathon.
Hosted on Devpost
