Cornell University's

Oldest and Largest Hackathon

September 20-22, 2019

Who we are

BigRed//Hacks is the oldest student-run, large-scale hackathon at Cornell University.

Across three days, Cornell and non-Cornell students alike gather to build the coolest and most innovative projects, meet amazing people, and win some prizes along the way!

Registration for BigRed//Hacks 2019 is now open!

Event Schedule

September 20th

Time	Event
3:00pm	Registration Opens
4:00pm	Busses Arrive
6:00pm	Opening Ceremony
7:00pm	Hacking Begins	Team Formation
8:00pm	Dinner
9:00pm	Various API Demos
10:00pm	Night Hike

September 21st

Time	Event
12:00am	Midnight Snack
8:00am	Breakfast
9:00am	Morning Hike
10:00am	API Demos
1:00pm	Lunch
4:00pm	Dog Petting
7:00pm	Dinner
8:00pm	Ice Skating
10:00pm	Cup Stacking

September 22nd

Time	Event
12:00am	Midnight Snack
7:00am	Breakfast
8:00am	Hacking Ends
9:00am	Project Expo
11:00am	Trivia
12:00pm	Lunch
1:00pm	Closing Ceremony + Prizes

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to participate?

We are inviting all undergraduate and graduate students to participate in our hackathon. You don't need any past experience. You don't even need to be a computer science major! Our only requirement is that you are at least 18 years old and enrolled in an accredited college or university.

What will I need to bring?

Bring your school ID for registration. You are also responsible for bringing any equipment for building and demoing your hack: laptop, chargers, phones, etc. You may also want to bring a sleeping bag, change of clothes, and toothbrush.

Do I have to sign up with a team?

You don't have to sign up with a team, but it's certainly more fun! We allow teams of up to four people (they don't have to be from the same school), and while they can be specified on the application, you won't officially create your team until the event. If you don't have a team yet, we'll host a social before the hacking begins for you to meet other amazing people.

Are you providing food?

Don't worry, there will be lots of delicious food and beverages at our event, complimentary to all participants. We'll have vegetarian options as well.

Are hardware hacks allowed?

We will be providing a dedicated hardware lab with sensors, microcontrollers, and basic components. Some of our sponsors are bringing hardware to loan, but we still suggest that you bring your own equipment if you know that you'll absolutely need it.

What are the rules?

We want BigRed//Hacks to be fun and fair for everyone. Your project should be started from scratch and worked on only during the 36 hours, and you may only incorporate outside resources (code, graphics, sound, etc) that are freely licensed and accessible to all participants equally. Of course, maintain a positive, respectful attitude toward your fellow hackers throughout the event.

Why is there an application?

We want to guarantee that students from a wide range of schools and experiences are given an equal and fair chance to participate. Furthermore, we hope that the process will encourage registrants to be committed to building something awesome. Even if you've never been to a hackathon before, please apply!

How does travel reimbursement work?

At this time, we are unsure about how much travel reimbursement we will be able to offer. We currently have bus routes for the following schools: Buffalo, RIT, Princeton, Rutgers, and Binghamton. Depending on our budget and interest from other schools, we may be able to send out more buses! If your school is not listed, pease message us at [email protected] about travel reimbursement, and we will see what we can do on a case-by-case basis. In the past, we have capped reimbursement at $200 per person. Thank you!

Have more questions?

Send them to [email protected]!