Technica skyline with a magenta moon behind it

The world's largest hackathon for underrepresented genders ⊹ Hybrid Environment

Technica will be hybrid and take place on October 15-16 in The Hotel at UMD and online.
Join us for a weekend jam-packed with swag, workshops, and networking, while grinding out an awesome project!

Reach New Heights at Technica 2022!

Technica is the world’s largest hackathon for underrepresented genders, hosted over the duration of 24 hours each fall by students at the University of Maryland and online. This year’s theme is "Reach New Heights!" This year, we want to help all of our hackers rise to the next level in their tech journey, whether that means tackling challenging new projects or writing your first line of code. We encourage you to be open-minded, be curious, and find your space in tech. Explore your untapped potential — the sky's the limit at Technica! Whether we serve as a push in the right direction or as a place for you to explore your curiosities, we hope that you are able to #ReachNewHeights!

What You Can Do At Technica

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Submit a project and win prizes

Submit your project for prize categories for a chance win sweet rewards for you and/or your team provided by Technica and our sponsors! We have prizes for all kinds of hacks for you and/or your team to win. You might even make some new friends while hacking away!

Learn new skills

Technica aims to be a learning experience for everyone by providing fun and informative workshops. Hackers have the option to attend workshops in order to learn more general tech skills, practice tech skills relevant to their hack, and learn about new career paths and opportunities that they may wish to pursue.

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Network

Looking to network? Companies are welcome to have recruiters and recruiting materials at their booth at Technica, where they will be able to interact with hackers. There will be a Sponsorship Fair in which hackers are encouraged to visit open booths and network with recruiters, potentially gaining an invitation to apply for openings or even an internship or job offer.

Hybrid Environment

In-Person

Held at The Hotel at UMD (eligible for hotel rooms if traveling)
Receive swag (such as t-shirts, stickers, etc.)
Visit sponsor booths face to face
Live workshops
Catered food service and snacks

Both

Judging and expo in person or online via Zoom (depending on attendance type)
Request mentor for technical help
Have your resume shared with our sponsors
Mini events and games
Access event through the Technica virtual platform
Win a prize for hacking categories (Digital gift card only for online hackers)

Online

Visit sponsor booths virtually
Slack community to make friends and discuss your project
Chat with the Technica community on Discord and Slack
Attend recorded/streamed workshops
Receive swag depending on participation level if based in the U.S.

Tracks

Tracks can guide your hackathon experience for specific interests and skill levels with a more curated set of workshops and events. Each hacker may select one track during registration. The beginner and startup tracks have limited spots!

General

For any and all hackers! Come build to your heart's content using hardware, software, or anything you want with other hackers. Hackers can be students, designers, or just any tech-lovers out there. Hackers of all skill levels are welcomed and supported!

Beginners

New to hackathons? Don't know how to code? No worries! You'll be provided with dedicated resources to help you be successful at Technica and beyond. This track begins with exclusive workshops a few weeks before Technica, and includes everything from an introduction to hackathons to universal coding and logic concepts.

Research

Calling all undergraduates interested in research! Come explore the fields of research within computer science. You will get to work hands-on with faculty researchers and peers to address social issues using technology and research! This track is a separate 3-day event taking place during Technica weekend.

Startup

Interested in the business side of building a project? Join startup track! Featuring both workshops before and during Technica weekend, startup track is a unique opportunity to explore an alternate dimension of project building that you won't want to miss out on!

Travel Info

Need to travel to get to Technica? We got you covered! Technica can reimburse your travel fees or arrange a bus to transport eligible hackers in the United States. Head to our travel page to learn more!

Mentors and Volunteers

Bring hackers' ideas to life by sharing your Technica knowledge or help with event operations at Technica! Anyone 18 years or older and of any gender can volunteer and help make Technica a success!

Fellowship Program

The Technica Fellowship Program gives rising college freshman opportunity to work on a coding project impacting Technica. Fellows will gain real industry experience and impact thousands of users!
Applications are currently closed for 2022.

Ambassadors Program

Technica Campus Ambassadors have the unique opportunity to help foster our community beyond Technica weekend at UMD. As a representative of your school, you’ll spread the word about Technica 2022 on your campus and promote inclusion in STEM!
Applications are currently closed for 2022.

Keynote Speakers

Elaine Montilla

CTO @ Pearson

Alexis Lucio

Senior Accessibility Designer @ GitHub

Frequently Asked Questions