CruzHacks 2021

CruzHacks brings together a diverse and inclusive group of students and professionals to develop innovative solutions to solve real-world challenges.

CruzHacks is the largest hackathon in Santa Cruz. Each year, we invite hundreds of students to develop solutions to real-world problems, pursue inclusion in tech, and kindle the spirit of innovation. Last year, we brought together 650 students from over 25 universities. Our goals to support creativity in technology and promote the development of technological solutions in social good are at the forefront of our efforts every year.

All participants of CruzHacks 2021 must be students aged 13 years or older. Any participant who is under the age of 18 must obtain parental permission to participate in CruzHacks 2021, and they and their parent or legal guardian must sign the accompanying Parental Release and Consent Form.

Participants are encouraged to work in teams of up to 4 on a maximum of one project. Registration for CruzHacks 2021 constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions (and any amendments to them) which are final and binding in all respects. All individuals and teams that apply to CruzHacks 2021 must be accepted by the organizers in order to be eligible to participate.

The Organizers reserve the right to disqualify any participant and/or team from CruzHacks 2021 if, in their sole discretion, the participant and/or team has not complied with these terms and conditions, has tampered with the operation of CruzHacks 2021, or has engaged in any conduct that is detrimental or unfair to the Organizers, CruzHacks 2021, or any other participant and/or team. This determination is at the sole discretion of the Organizers.

Awards:-

$14,090 in prizes

Tech Cares – Health Hacks

This category aspires to address healthcare disparities. How do we support mental & physical well-being with accessible services?

Prize:
– (1) JBL FLIP 4 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker (per team member)

Tech Cares – Justice Hacks

This category aims to drive innovation for civil liberty and social justice. How can we uphold truth & order in a (mis)information age?

Prize:
– (1) Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 + film pack (per team member)

Tech Cares – Earth Hacks: Environmental Impact-to-Action

Design a hack or tool that you would use to educate someone who denies the science of climate change.

Projects will be judged on:
– Problem definition and analysis
– Solution design and innovation
– Idea viability
– Implementation of solution demonstration

Prize:
– (1) Boshiho Cork Laptop Case or LuminAid (per team member)

Best Cruz Hack

Create something that best embodies the essence of Santa Cruz!

Prize:
– (1) WisFox Wireless Keyboard & Mouse (per team member)

Best UI/UX

Have a new paradigm for interaction design? Create a project that has an awesome user experience!

Prize:
– (1) 3rd Gen Amazon Echo Dot (per team member)

Best Beginner Hack

Hackathons are meant for everyone, especially our first-timers! We’ve created a prize category to reward teams composed of all first-time hackers.

Prize:
– (1) 21 oz Hydro Flask (per team member)

MLH – Best Use of Google Cloud Platform (2)

Incorporate one or more Google Cloud products into the hackathon project to be eligible. Firebase counts as well!

Prize:
* 1st place prize (one team)
– Domestic: Google Cloud Patagonia Backpack and Water Bottle
– International: Google Cloud Patagonia Tote Backpack OR Backpack

* 2nd place (one team)
– Google Cloud Parkland Backpack

*** Our prizes change depending on the winner’s location.

MLH – Best Hardware Hack

(provided by MLH – DigiKey)

Prize:
– TBA

MLH – Best Use of Datastax

(provided by MLH)

Prize:
– TBA

MLH – Best Domain Name from Domain.com

(provided by MLH)

Prize:
– TBA

Sponsor – UCSC Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Development & Blackstone Launchpad

UCSC Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Development (CIED) & Blackstone Launchpad are providing one team with $2k in funding and training to further develop your project after the hackathon.

Prize:
– (1) $2,000 in funding (one team)

Sponsor – 1517

A $1,000 grant will be awarded to one team to continue developing their project after the hackathon.

Prize:
– (1) $1,000 grant (one team)

Sponsor – echoAR

Build the best AR/VR application using the echoAR platform!

Participants MUST use the echoAR platform as part of their project to be eligible for a reward.

Prize:
– (1) $50 Amazon gift card (per team)
– (1) 1-month free Business Tier access (per team member)
– Selected projects will be featured on our “Inspiration” page

Sponsor – Pinnacle

Pinnacle invites 4 winners from each of the world’s largest 50 collegiate hackathons to compete in an epic hack-off in late 2021. (https://pinnacle.us.org/)

Prize:
– (1) All-expenses-paid ticket to Pinnacle, the Olympics of Hackathons (per team member)