Hack_NCState extends learning beyond the classroom. 

This event is a unique opportunity for students and industry-leading sponsors to interact in a casual environment, where students get to put their creativity and collaboration towards a worthwhile project. It will run through the weekend of February 14 and 15, 2026 at Talley Student Union, the heart of NC State’s Main Campus.

Hack_NCState, NC State’s Premier Hackathon

Designed as a 24-hour hackathon, Hack_NCState is open to all areas of study and encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration to answer questions using technology. Student teams get to develop software solutions for real-world problems with guidance and resources from sponsors. The end result is a resume-ready software development project, plus, an opportunity to win prizes from top-tier companies. 

“Hack_NCState offers an excellent way to learn outside the classroom and demonstrate technical skills to potential future employers,” said Kerneep Sandhu, a sponsorship and logistics organizer for the event. “An electrical engineering student may work with a computer science student, which is exactly the type of collaboration that occurs in the tech industry.”

The objective of the challenge is clear: to create a basic, attainable product that solves a problem. Teams must pick from multiple tracks, which are associated with specific industry topics, identify a problem and create a product to solve that issue within 24 hours. Throughout the whole process, students are provided with workshops, resources and advice from industry experts, allowing participants of all skill levels to excel. Workshops also offer a way to connect with employers who are looking to recruit early. The challenge concludes with teams delivering pitches of their projects to judges, a key soft skill that is valued in the professional world.

‘“This is not your traditional career fair experience. This is an opportunity for an employer to see you work on a project that is solving a real problem. Though we can’t guarantee that every student in the event will get an interview or a job offer, you never know, if something stands out, they may just give you their contact information to stay in touch!” said Sandhu. 

Udita Pericharla, a third-year studying computer science with a minor in cognitive science, participated in Hack_NCState in 2025. She didn’t have any projects outside of coursework and wanted something to boost her resume. Together, her team created a financial story game app aimed at simulating real-world decisions around college, career, investment and retirement. 

“This project has gotten me interviews for jobs. Employers appreciated it and it’s really fun to talk about,” said Pericharla. “Everything I did at Hack_NCState pushed me outside of my comfort zone. I was really nervous going into it, but coming out, I was happy that I competed. I was happy that I built something from scratch – that I finished it and that it’s working. It’s a really great feeling.”

Pericharla’s most valuable takeaways included acquiring soft skills like planning and organization, learning how to adapt to the environment while on the job and collaborating with other people.

“I would recommend Hack_NCState to anyone, even if they don’t know how to code. If you’re a business major that has maybe learned Sequel or a little bit of Python, you have time to implement the skills you learned in class. I would recommend it to anybody that is just looking to create a product or a personal project, potentially make some friends, and improve their public speaking skills,” said Pericharla. 

Hack_NCState, like most hackathons, has a thrill to it. The atmosphere is fueled by the energy of creative minds racing against time to create innovative solutions. The room is filled with excited chatter from students and sponsors alike. While registration for 2026 is closed, you can still be a part of the thrill. Guests are more than welcome to come and view the final project presentations in Talley Student Union on February 15, 2026 at 1 p.m. 

View past Hack_NCState projects here.