Overview
OrionHackathon is a global innovation challenge organized around the theme of linking Operations Research with modern technology. The event brings together developers, designers, AI engineers, entrepreneurs, researchers, and students from around the world to collaborate on real world problems through technology. It is organized in collaboration with INFORMS, Google Developer Groups (GDG), and UnsaidTalks, reflecting a strong emphasis on cross-disciplinary innovation and practical impact.
What it is and who it’s for
This hackathon invites participants at any level to form teams of up to five people or join solo and work on one of several domains that matter today: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Healthcare and Digital Health, Education Technology, Sustainability and Climate Tech, FinTech, Cybersecurity, Social Impact, and Productivity and Enterprise Solutions. The event is aimed at developers, designers, researchers, students, and professionals who want to transform bold ideas into working products while learning from mentors and peers. The competition is designed to reward innovative, technically sound, scalable, user-friendly, and impactful solutions.
Dates and format
The OrionHackathon runs across a multi week period culminating in a deadline of August 5, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. A substantial portion of the program runs in a hybrid or virtual format, with an emphasis on collaboration across borders and the opportunity to present and demo projects to a global judging panel. The event features an open call for registrations, team formation guidance, and a clear submission process via Devpost. Participants are encouraged to prepare a working prototype and a detailed Devpost submission that includes project description, GitHub repository, a demo video, installation instructions, team details, and a presentation. The judging criteria focus on Innovation and Creativity, Technical Excellence, Real World Impact, User Experience and Design, and Presentation and Demonstration.
Organizer and partners
The event is organized by Devpost, Inc. and co-sponsored by a coalition of innovation partners including INFORMS, Google Developer Groups (GDG), and UnsaidTalks. This ecosystem is designed to foster learning, collaboration, and global impact, enabling participants to learn from mentors, network with peers, and gain exposure within the innovation community.
Prizes and recognition
Prizes total USD 1,000, distributed as follows: First Prize US$500, Second Prize US$300, and Third Prize US$200. Each prize is accompanied by recognition, potential further opportunities, and the chance to receive mentorship or internship opportunities from project partners. Winners are celebrated with certificates and global recognition within the OrionHackathon ecosystem. The event also emphasizes collaboration with partners for ongoing learning and opportunities beyond the hackathon itself.
Resources and expectations
Participants are expected to form working prototypes using any programming language, framework, cloud platform, or AI technology. Submissions should clearly describe the solution’s innovation, technical depth, real world impact, user experience, and ability to scale. The competition also highlights collaboration and networking as core benefits, with accessible resources such as planning guides, webinars, and community stories to support teams. For those seeking more information, contact details for the hackathon organizer are provided on the site.
FAQ and logistics
Location is described as Virtual with a potential for in person elements depending on arrangements, and the event page notes a focus on global accessibility while indicating some public schedule details. If you are looking for details on eligibility, rules, or participant requirements, the official site contains the full rules and contact information for the hackathon administrator. The OrionHackathon aims to be an inclusive, globally accessible platform for innovators to learn, build, and present impactful technology solutions.
Who should attend
Anyone with an interest in applying operations research to real world problems, including students, academics, engineers, designers, and entrepreneurs, will find value in the OrionHackathon. The event is designed to facilitate collaboration across disciplines and provide a pathway to additional opportunities within the broader innovation ecosystem.
