Welcome to COUGARHACKS

At COUGARHACKS, you'll join a vibrant community of builders, coders, and creatives for an unforgettable 24-hour hackathon. From idea pitching in the morning to demos and awards at dawn, it's a fast-paced sprint packed with innovation.

You'll have access to guest lectures, expert mentorship, and a chess tournament to test your strategic skills. Whether you're jamming on code, belting out karaoke, or brainstorming with new teammates, there’s something for everyone.

Whether you're a first-time hacker or a seasoned pro, COUGARHACKS is the perfect space to learn, collaborate, and ship your ideas. With food, fun, and focus all night long, you'll leave inspired—and maybe with a prize in hand.

Join us from April 26 to April 27 at Caldwell University for 24 hours of creativity, connection, and code. Let’s build the future—together.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and Where is COUGARHACKS?

COUGARHACKS 2025 takes place from 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 26 to 8:00 PM on Sunday, April 27 at Caldwell University, located at 120 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell, New Jersey 07006.

Do I have to register as part of a team?

Nope! You can register solo, and we’ll help you find a team at the event, or you can bring your own team.

Can I use any previous projects?

No. All submissions must be built from scratch during the hackathon. However, using open-source libraries, APIs, and frameworks is allowed if credited properly.

Will food and entertainment be provided?

Yes! Enjoy snacks and fun events like a chess tournament, karaoke night, and late-night games.

Will there be prizes?

Absolutely! Top projects will win exciting prizes including cash awards from Caldwell University and additional sponsor goodies.

Do I have to pay to compete?

Nope! COUGARHACKS is 100% free to attend and participate in.

How many students can register?

We welcome as many students as possible. There’s no hard cap on registration.

Is parking available?

Yes, there is free on-campus parking available for all participants throughout the event.

What should I bring?

Bring a valid student ID, laptop, charger, and any hardware/tools you need for your project. We also recommend a water bottle and anything to keep you comfy overnight!

What shouldn’t I bring?

Please don’t bring any desktop computers, weapons, alcohol, drugs, or anything prohibited by campus policies. If it’s not allowed on a flight, it’s probably not allowed here.

Do you offer travel reimbursements?

Unfortunately, we are not offering travel reimbursements for this year’s event.

How many people can be in one team?

Teams can have up to 4 people.

Can a member of my team attend virtually?

No, all team members must be present in person at the venue for check-in and judging to qualify for prizes.

Do we need to stay the entire event?

While you’re not required to stay the whole 24 hours, you must attend check-in and be present during final demos and judging to submit your project.

When do I need to submit my project?

Project submissions are due by 4:30 PM on Sunday, April 27, 2025.

Where do I submit my project?

We’ll provide a submission link and instructions during check-in and on the event Discord/Slack.

What types of projects are allowed?

Anything tech-related! Whether it’s a website, mobile app, hardware hack, game, or AI tool—as long as it's made during the event, you're good to go.

Can I still participate if I don’t have programming experience?

Absolutely! COUGARHACKS is a great place to learn. Join a team, attend workshops, or focus on design, ideas, or pitch building!

Do I need to be a programmer to compete?

Not at all! Hackathons need designers, project managers, storytellers, and builders of all kinds. Everyone has something to contribute.

Will there be other events like games or competitions?

Yes! We will have a chess tournament (with finals on Sunday), karaoke, game breaks, and more. It’s not just coding—it’s community!