LA HACKS

Pauley Pavilion
April 24 - 26
Apply Now!Sponsor Us

LA Hacks is Home.

LA Hacks is excited to celebrate its 14th anniversary as Southern California's premier collegiate hackathon! Join us as we welcome over 1000 participants, mentors, volunteers, and sponsors to UCLA in April 2026!

$45,000
in Prizes
1000+
Participants
200
Projects
Tracks
Sustain the Spark
Sustain the Spark
Sustain the Spark
Our planet's future hangs in the balance, and one bold idea can tip the scales. This track welcomes grassroots innovation and is your space to cultivate projects combating climate change, reducing waste, or accelerating the transition to clean energy. Your project can help the world sustain its spark for years to come.
Catalyst for Care
Catalyst for Care
Catalyst for Care
The pulse of progress beats strongest where it matters the most: human health. This track challenges you to develop solutions that revolutionize the patient-provider experience. From optimizing hospital logistics and streamlining diagnostics to building tools that enhance wellness, your creation will be the catalyst for a healthier world.
Light the Way
Light the Way
Light the Way
A single idea can unlock a universe of knowledge. This track invites you to transform the future of education by making learning accessible to all. You can create projects with accessibility features or interactive learning platforms. How will your spark light up the classrooms of tomorrow?
Flicker to Flow
Flicker to Flow
Flicker to Flow
With all the chaos of the world, how can we turn the flickers into a flowstate? Use this track to focus on enhancing how we work, play, and connect. Whether you automate mundane chores, organize a chaotic schedule, or create a platform that promotes better work-life balance, show us how you can transform friction into function.
Past Projects
Proud Puangmaha

Proud Puangmaha

LA Hacks 2025 3rd place winner

"LA Hacks was the perfect launchpad for OpenSesame.Work, our AI agent co-pilot for job applications. In just 36 hours, we went from a vague idea to a working product with real users testing it live, thanks to mentors who pushed our thinking on both tech and UX. It was the first time we saw how quickly a hackathon can turn a scrappy concept into something people actually want to use."
"LA Hacks was the perfect launchpad for OpenSesame.Work, our AI agent co-pilot for job applications. In just 36 hours, we went from a vague idea to a working product with real users testing it live, thanks to mentors who pushed our thinking on both tech and UX. It was the first time we saw how quickly a hackathon can turn a scrappy concept into something people actually want to use."
OpenSesame.Work

OpenSesame.Work

Rahut and Proud, LA Hacks 2025

Say "Open Sesame" to Your Next Job Opportunity!

View on Devpost
Puneet Bajaj

Puneet Bajaj

LA Hacks 2025 2nd place winner

"LAHacks wasn’t just a hackathon — it was a launchpad. From incredible mentors to on-stage pitching in front of 300+ people, everything was thoughtfully organised and inspiring. It was truly an unforgettable weekend."
"LAHacks wasn’t just a hackathon — it was a launchpad. From incredible mentors to on-stage pitching in front of 300+ people, everything was thoughtfully organised and inspiring. It was truly an unforgettable weekend."
Lumos

Lumos

Chayan, Puneet, Kalpesh and Rutuja, LA Hacks 2025

An AI-powered glasses help Alzheimer's patients recognize loved ones, remember routines, and stay safe - giving families more moments of connection and dignity amid the darkness of memory loss.

View on Devpost
Daniel Odicho

Daniel Odicho

LA Hacks 2025 1st place winner

"To think is to ideate, to do is to build, to speak is to pitch. Hackathons encapsulate the beauty of life."
"To think is to ideate, to do is to build, to speak is to pitch. Hackathons encapsulate the beauty of life."
Alto

Alto

Neel and Daniel, LA Hacks 2025

Find, Fix, and Deploy Mobile Bug Fixes - Autonomously, in Minutes.

View on Devpost

Gallery

Previous
Gallery Image 1
Opening ceremony getting underway!
Gallery Image 2
Hackers hard at work in Pauley Pavilion
Gallery Image 3
Judges repping some LA Hacks following their briefing
Gallery Image 4
Snack time! 🍪
Gallery Image 5
Puppy Corner?!? 🐶🐶🐶
Gallery Image 6
Some yummy meals!
Gallery Image 7
Happy hackers with their food!
Gallery Image 8
Lettuce Eating Contest 🥬
Gallery Image 9
Hackers upping their knowledge at workshops
Next

Spotlight

Previous
Evan Spiegel

Evan Spiegel

Evan Spiegel is the Co-Founder and CEO of Snap. He gave a keynote speech at LA Hacks 2014 and also spoke at LA Hacks 2025 for a fireside chat about building a global consumer tech platform and leading Snap’s growth, product vision, and user-centered innovation.

Next
Frequently Asked Questions
Past Sponsors
Team
Meet our organizer team.