DragonHacks

Step Right Up

WHAT IS
DRAGONHACKS?

200+

Hackers

Hours

$$$

In Prizes

DragonHacks is Drexel University's premier 24-hour hackathon, organized by Drexel IEEE. Every spring, we bring together the brightest minds from universities across the region to compete, collaborate, and create groundbreaking projects.

Whether you're a seasoned hacker or attending your first event, DragonHacks welcomes all skill levels. Workshops, mentors, free food, and an incredible prize pool await.

🎓 All Skill Levels 🍕 Free Food 🏆 Big Prizes 🤝 Team Events

Inside the Big Tent

CHOOSE YOUR
CHALLENGE

Five tracks. Endless possibilities. Pick your arena and make your mark.

Hover a card to learn more

🤖

AI & MACHINE LEARNING

Build intelligent systems that learn, adapt, and solve complex real-world problems.

HOVER TO EXPLORE →

🤖 AI & ML

Predictive models, NLP tools, computer vision, generative AI, recommendation engines, and more.

🏆 Best AI Prize: TBD

🌐

WEB & MOBILE

Create beautiful, functional experiences that connect and delight users everywhere.

HOVER TO EXPLORE →

🌐 WEB & MOBILE

Full-stack apps, progressive web apps, native mobile, browser extensions, APIs and dashboards.

🏆 Best Web Prize: TBD

⚙️

HARDWARE & IoT

Bring physical innovation to life. Sensors, circuits, and rapid prototyping.

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⚙️ HARDWARE & IoT

Arduino, Raspberry Pi, smart sensors, wearables, robotics, embedded systems, and rapid prototypes.

🏆 Best Hardware Prize: TBD

🌱

SOCIAL IMPACT

Use technology to tackle real community challenges — health, education, environment.

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🌱 SOCIAL IMPACT

Mental health apps, accessibility tools, environmental monitors, civic tech, and education platforms.

🏆 Best Social Impact Prize: TBD

🔓

OPEN INNOVATION

Got a wild idea that doesn't fit a box? Build anything — we want to see what you dream up.

HOVER TO EXPLORE →

🔓 OPEN INNOVATION

Games, art installations, dev tools, security, fintech — no limits. The wildest idea wins the crowd.

🏆 Best Open Prize: TBD

🎪

Not sure which track? Register and decide on the day!

The Grand Program

EVENT SCHEDULE

April 4–5, 2026 · LeBow College of Business, Drexel University

Ceremony Workshop Meal Hacking Fun

10:00 AM

🎫 Doors Open & Check-In

Pick up your badge and swag. Find your seat and meet your neighbors.

Ceremony

11:00 AM

🐉 Opening Ceremony

Welcome from organizers & sponsors. Track introductions and rules briefing.

Ceremony

12:00 PM

🚀 Hacking Begins!

The clock starts — 24 hours to build something incredible.

Hacking

1:30 PM

🍕 Lunch Served

Refuel with free lunch courtesy of our sponsors. Dietary options available.

Meal

3:00 PM

🤖 Workshop: Getting Started with AI APIs

Integrate powerful AI models into your project in under an hour.

Workshop

5:00 PM

⚙️ Workshop: Hardware & Sensors 101

Hands-on intro to Arduinos, sensors, and rapid prototyping.

Workshop

7:00 PM

🍜 Dinner Served

Dinner break. Stretch, eat, and recharge for the night ahead.

Meal

9:00 PM

🎮 Mini-Challenges & Side Events

Trivia, coding speed-runs, and prizes for mini-challenge winners.

Fun

11:00 PM

☕ Late Night Snacks

Coffee, energy drinks, and snacks to power you through the night.

Meal

7:00 AM

🌅 Breakfast Served

Rise and shine. Breakfast to fuel the final sprint to the finish.

Meal

10:00 AM

⏰ Submission Deadline

All Devpost submissions due. Code freeze — no more commits!

Hacking

11:00 AM

🔬 Project Expo & Judging

Set up your demo booth. Judges and attendees review your work.

Expo

1:00 PM

🏆 Closing Ceremony & Awards

Winners announced, prizes awarded. The DragonHacks family gathers one last time!

Ceremony

Win the Grand Prize

STEP UP &
CLAIM GLORY

A unique prize pool — winners pick first, right down the line. Everyone gets a shot.

2ND PLACE

🥈

TBD

+ Medals per member

GRAND PRIZE

🥇

TBD

+ Trophies & pick prizes first

3RD PLACE

🥉

TBD

+ Medals per member

🤖

TBD

Best AI/ML

⚙️

TBD

Best Hardware

🌱

TBD

Best Social Impact

⭐

TBD

MLH Prizes

Exact amounts announced closer to the event. All prizes subject to change based on sponsor contributions.

Inquire Within

BURNING
QUESTIONS?

DragonHacks is Drexel University's 24-hour hackathon, organized by Drexel IEEE. Hundreds of students from universities across the region gather to collaborate, innovate, and build groundbreaking projects in one intense, exciting weekend.

DragonHacks is open to all college/university students aged 18 or older, from any institution and any major. No prior hackathon experience required — beginners are absolutely welcome!

Teams can have up to 3 members. Register with a team or come solo — we have team-formation events at check-in. Many great projects come from people who met at the hackathon!

Bring your laptop, charger, student ID, and anything needed for 24 hours of comfort. We provide Wi-Fi, power strips, and basic hardware components on a first-come, first-served basis.

Yes! All meals, snacks, coffee, and energy drinks are provided throughout the 24 hours. Vegetarian, vegan, and common allergy options available — note your restrictions during registration.

LeBow College of Business, Drexel University — 3220 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19104. More venue details and maps will be emailed to registered participants closer to the event.

Projects are scored on Innovation & Creativity, Technical Execution, Impact & Feasibility, and Demo Quality by a panel of industry professionals during the live expo.

Absolutely! Thanks to our incredible sponsors, DragonHacks is completely free — entry, meals, workshops, swag, and full access to mentors and resources throughout the event.

Our Distinguished Exhibitors

MAGNIFICENT
SPONSORS

DragonHacks wouldn't be possible without the generous support of our sponsors.

✦ RINGMASTER ✦

✦ SHOWSTOPPER ✦

✦ PERFORMER ✦

🏛️ Philly IEEE 🚀 Lockheed Martin 🛡️ MLH 🐉 Drexel IEEE 💡 Your Company 🌐 Your Company ⚡ Your Company 🏛️ Philly IEEE 🚀 Lockheed Martin 🛡️ MLH 🐉 Drexel IEEE 💡 Your Company 🌐 Your Company ⚡ Your Company

🎪

BECOME A SPONSOR

Connect with the next generation of innovators at Drexel and beyond. Flexible partnership tiers available.

Get in Touch →

WHAT IS
DRAGONHACKS?