What is HackTX?
HackTX is an annual hackathon at the University of Texas at Austin. A hackathon is simply a space for students of any major to come together and come up with creative solutions using technology. They are a place to learn, to meet others, and to innovate. We design our hackathons to be beginner-friendly and will have plenty of mentors and workshops to guide you!
9:00 AM - Check-In
HackTX Check-In :)
10:30 AM - Opening Ceremony
Join us as we kick off our event with some general information and resources to guide you throughout the weekend.
11:00 AM - Hacking Starts!
11:00 AM - Workshops: Intro to Hackathons & Ideation, Intro to React
12:00 PM - Lunch
2:00 PM - Sponsor Networking
4:00 PM - Workshops by Texas Blockchain
4:00 PM - CTF by ISSS
6:00 PM - Dinner
8:00 PM - MLH Mini-event
9:00 PM - Freetail Hackers Meet & Greet
10:00 PM - Hackathon Organizer Meetup
11:00 PM - Midnight Snack (Gong Cha)
12:00 AM - Movie & Game Night
7:15 AM - Sunrise Watch Party
8:00 AM - Breakfast
9:00 AM - Workshop: How to Pitch; Submission Office Hours
11:00 AM - Hacking Ends; Lunch
1:00 PM - Judging Begins
4:00 PM - Closing Ceremony
Thanks for coming y'all!
Who are the Freetail Hackers?
We're a group of UT Austin students who love bringing students who are passionate about inspiring others, learning new skills, and being involved in the hackathon and tech communities. We love organizing hackathons and having fun together while doing so! If this sounds like a good fit for you, you should apply to join our team when applications open in December. Applications will be posted on our Facebook page. Need to reach out to us for any further questions or want to work with us for the next event? Email us at [email protected]!
Who Can Attend?
The event is open to students over 18 years old, including undergraduate and graduate students from UT and other universities. All levels of experience and all majors are welcome! Beginner? No problem! The majority of hackers from HackTX 2021 were first-timers, and we'll have mentors and workshops to help you develop new skills; all you need to bring is a desire to create. Interested in learning something new? We'll have plenty of people to help teach you how to make an impact right from your own workspace!
Inclusion
To embrace inclusivity, all participants are expected to follow the MLH Code of Conduct to facilitate a safe space and a positive hackathon experience for everyone!
FAQ
What format will HackTX 2022 be in?
HackTX 2022 will be fully in-person! Hacking, judging, mini-events, etc. will all take place on the UT Austin campus. To protect against COVID-19, we will be requiring all attendees to bring and take a rapid COVID-19 test upon check-in at the venue. You will be required to wear a mask until the test comes back negative. If you test positive or have symptoms, you will be denied entry.
How much money will this cost me?
Zero. Zip. Zilch. Nada. Nothing. Gratis. It's free. Freetail Hackers provides students with Wi-Fi, meals, swag, workspace, and prizes for all of our events!
Will there be prizes?
Yes! There will be three tracks at the hackathon: General, Beginner, and Blockchain presented by Texas Blockchain. Challenges and prizes will be announced at the Opening Ceremony!
What do I wear?
Wear whatever you are most comfortable in! No need to wear anything professional. However, we do require you to be within the MLH Code of Conduct.
Any rules?
All work must be done at the event. You can't demo something you didn't build. Don't talk about Fight Club. All attendees (hackers, supporters, mentors, volunteers, etc.) must abide by the MLH Code of Conduct.
How do teams work?
Teams can be up to 4 members. If you don't have a team, don't worry! Joining a team of new friends is the best part of a hackathon. We will have team matching available for everyone on the day of the event, but if you would like to create a team beforehand, that works too!
What should I bring?
Yourself, your valid university ID, a form of ID proving you are over 18 years old, a laptop, chargers, or anything else you might need within the 24 hours. Firearms, weapons, alcohol, illegal drugs, and power tools are not allowed. Smiles and high-fives are welcome. You'll also need to bring an unused rapid COVID-19 test and may want to bring a water bottle. If you need a rapid test and are a UT student, you can obtain 4 free test kits from the WCP Student Activity Center Hospitality Desk. If you are not a UT student, please check with your school for current resources.
When does registration close?
Although Priority Registration is now over, we are now reviewing applications on a rolling basis! If you are accepted, you will have until October 7th at noon to confirm your registration. Applications will close completely on October 5th at 11:59pm or once we reach capacity, whichever comes first.
Will there be walk-ins available?
We will accept a limited number of walk-ins based on capacity and availability after the main check-in period ends, starting at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 15th until space runs out or it reaches 5:00 PM (whichever comes first). Walk-ins must bring the same required items as those who applied in advance (student ID, proof of age, COVID-19 test, etc.)
How do I volunteer?
We are always looking for mentors to help out hackers, as well as general volunteers to help run our event. If you are interested, please fill out this volunteer form and we will follow up with you!
When is HackTX 2022?
HackTX 2022 is the weekend of October 15th-16th! Check-in for the event will open at 9:00 AM on the 15th in the GDC Atrium, and hacking will start at 11:00 AM right after the Opening Ceremony.
Where is HackTX 2022?
HackTX 2022 will be hosted on the University of Texas at Austin campus at the Gates-Dell Complex (GDC), located at 2317 Speedway, Austin, TX.
How do I get to the venue?
Due to a game day, we strongly recommend walking, biking, or taking public transit to campus. You can take routes 801, 803, 1, 3, 7, 10, 19, and 20 to campus. If you must park, we encourage you to park at a Park & Ride facility and take a bus to campus. More information can be found on CapMetro's website.
Do y'all give travel reimbursements?
Unfortunately, we will not be able to provide travel reimbursements this year. We encourage you to look at low-cost transportation methods such as Amtrak, Flixbus, and Redcoach. Parking will be largely unavailable due to a football game on October 15th, so we highly encourage you not to drive to our event.
I have more questions. Who do I contact?
If you have further questions for us, don't hesitate to reach out to [email protected]!
Sponsors
Special Thanks
