MakeCU 2026: Participation Rules
1. Eligibility and teams
Participants must be at least 18 years old when the hackathon begins. Participation is limited to admitted applicants. Teams may have 1–4 students.
2. Event and hacking period
MakeCU takes place November 7–8, 2026, at Columbia University at Carleton Commons. All project work, including hardware assembly, fabrication, software, and firmware, must be completed during the official hacking period announced by the organizers. Do not begin project development before the start or continue after the deadline. Follow the official schedule: https://www.makecu.dev/schedule/
3. Hardware brought to the event
Any hardware you bring must be approved by the organizers before it is used. Contact the organizing team through the MakeCU Discord and describe the items you plan to bring: https://discord.gg/EPuGY7PFNn
Fully prebuilt projects are not permitted. Approval to bring components does not permit bringing a completed project or bypassing the requirement to build during the hackathon.
4. Software and original work
All project-specific software and firmware must be created during the official hacking period. Do not submit or continue a project built before the event, reuse prior project work, or present someone else’s work as your own. Credit any third-party tools, libraries, assets, or assistance, and ask organizers about permitted use before relying on them if you are unsure.
5. Fair play
Compete honestly and respectfully. No cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation, sabotage, or interference with other teams. Accurately describe what your team built and acknowledge outside contributions. Follow organizer instructions and use shared equipment fairly.
6. Check-ins and deadlines
Arrive on time for event check-in and every required team check-in. Follow the times and locations announced in the official schedule and Discord. Be ready for submissions, demos, and judging at the announced times. If an issue may make you late, contact the organizers promptly through Discord.
7. Safety and conduct
Complete the required makerspace training and equipment checklist before arriving: https://www.makecu.dev/checklist/
Use equipment only as authorized and follow all venue and organizer safety instructions. All participants must follow the MLH Code of Conduct: https://mlh.io/code-of-conduct
8. Questions and rule compliance
Contact organizers through Discord for hardware approval or clarification before taking an action you are unsure is allowed. Organizers will review suspected violations and apply these rules consistently. Projects that do not meet these requirements may be ineligible for judging or prizes.
Discord: https://discord.gg/EPuGY7PFNn
Email: [email protected]