2026 Program
2026 Theme: Build
This year's theme is simple and powerful: Build. Whether you're building an AI-powered app, a cybersecurity tool, a game, or a solution to a real-world problem, today is about turning your ideas into reality.
Welcome
"Today isn't about getting everything perfect. In fact, perfection is what stands in the way of creating something that endures beyond tomorrow. Innovation can only take place when you move beyond ideas. Stop thinking and start doing! At the end of the day, the team with the most failures will be the only one left standing."
— David Tankard, Principal, Bergen Tech
"Hackathons are about exploring, learning, and creating. Today you get to take what you know and turn it into something real. You might hit walls and change direction along the way. That's exactly how the best ideas take shape. Stay curious, keep experimenting, and go make something you're proud of!"
— Emre Gemici, Bergen Tech Teacher
"Today you chose to come here early, prepared to spend all day working together with your teammates to create projects and prototypes that could potentially change people's lives. You will meet like-minded people, get professional feedback, and talk to industry leaders. You are all so very impressive. Be proud of yourself, because we are all proud of you!"
— Michael Yob, Applied Tech Teacher
Schedule
Check in, receive your welcome packet, and enjoy breakfast in the gym.
Official kickoff! Schedule overview, logistics, judging criteria, and more.
Start building your projects!
Learn how to build with AI tools and integrate them into your projects.
Lunch served outside the gym — take a break and recharge.
Dwight Merriman – founder of Double Click, MongoDB, race car driver and more
Michael Lysaght from Instructure, Weight Watchers, Nasdaq.
Quick break — grab some snacks and keep coding!
All students stop working. Fuel up for your presentations.
Setup and share your projects with judges and parents
Vote for your favorite project and win raffle prizes!
See Demos from teams contending for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. All prizes awarded.
See you next year!
The Challenge
Identify a real-world problem that matters to you and build a technology solution to address it. Your project should demonstrate creativity, technical skill, and meaningful impact.
Required Deliverables
- ● Working Prototype: A functional demo of your solution (app, website, tool, robot, etc.)
- ● 7-Minute Pitch & Demo: Present your project to the judges with a clear problem statement, solution, and live demo walkthrough.
- ● No Slides Required: Focus on showing your project working. The demo and walkthrough is what matters most.
Rules & Guidelines
Team Rules
- ● Teams of 1–4 students
- ● All team members must be registered participants
- ● Teams can be formed before or during the event
Project Rules
- ● All projects must be built during hackathon hours
- ● No pre-written full projects allowed — you may bring ideas, wireframes, and plans
- ● You can use open-source libraries, frameworks, and APIs
- ● AI tools are allowed and encouraged (unless competing in the No AI category)
- ● You must be able to explain your code and how AI was used
- ● Your project must be your own original work — no plagiarism
Code of Conduct
The Bergen Tech Hackathon is committed to providing a welcoming, inclusive, and harassment-free experience for everyone. We expect all participants, mentors, judges, and volunteers to treat everyone with respect and kindness, be collaborative and supportive of other teams, ask for help when you need it, and report any concerns to an organizer immediately.
How to Win
You don't need to build the most complex project to win. Here's what past winners and judges say makes a great hackathon project:
- 1 Solve a real problem. Pick something that matters to you or your community. Judges love projects with heart.
- 2 Keep it simple and functional. A polished, working prototype beats an ambitious idea that doesn't run.
- 3 Focus on one strong feature. Don't try to build everything — nail one thing really well.
- 4 Use AI wisely. Show that you understand how AI enhances your project, not just that you used it.
- 5 Make your demo work reliably. Test it before presentations.
Speakers
Michael Lysaght
Technology executive with 25+ years leading digital transformation at scale. Currently CTO at Instructure, leading the engineering teams behind Canvas, Mastery, and Learn. Previously CTO at Weight Watchers where he orchestrated a major digital overhaul. Earlier led engineering at Second Market, later acquired by Nasdaq.
Dwight Merriman
Software engineer turned serial entrepreneur who spent 25 years building the New York tech ecosystem. Co-founder of DoubleClick, Business Insider, Gilt Groupe, and MongoDB — where he served as CEO and wrote much of the early code. Also a professional endurance racing driver with 60+ race starts, 9 wins, and 20 podiums.
Organized by Bergen Youth Enrichment, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
bthackathon.com · info@bthackathon.com