FAQ
Gator HackV
Find answers to the most common questions about Gator Hack V.
General
What is GatorHacks?
GatorHacks is the University of Florida’s student-run hackathon. It’s a weekend-long event where students from all majors come together to build innovative projects, learn new skills, and have fun!
Who can participate?
All UF students are welcome — every major, every skill level. If you’re curious and excited to build, this event is for you.
Do I need prior hacking experience?
Not at all! Workshops, mentors, and beginner tracks are designed to help first-timers get started. Many participants write their first line of code at the event.
Do I need to come with a team?
No — you can register solo and form a team at the event. Our mixer and Discord channels make it easy to find teammates. Teams are typically up to 4 people.
What should I bring?
Your laptop, charger, student ID, and anything you need to be comfortable for the weekend. We’ll handle the food, drinks, and workspace.
Will meals be provided?
Yes! Meals, snacks, and drinks are provided free throughout the weekend, including late-night snacks for the night owls.
Can I work on any project?
Yes — build anything you’re excited about! Projects must be started at the event, and you can aim for the general prizes, track prizes, or sponsor challenges.
What are the rules?
All code must be written during the hacking period, teams are capped at 4, and everyone must follow the MLH Code of Conduct. Full rules will be posted on Devpost.
How are projects judged?
Judges score projects on impact, technicality, design, and presentation. See the Prizes page for details on how winners are chosen.
Where can I find updates?
Join our Discord for real-time announcements, and follow us on social media. All official updates will be posted there first.
Eligibility
Do I have to be a UF student?
Gator Hack V is open to all currently enrolled UF students.
Can graduate students participate?
Yes — both undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to compete.
I’m not a CS major. Can I still join?
Absolutely. Great teams mix builders, designers, storytellers, and domain experts. Every major is welcome — no coding requirement to attend.
Is there an age requirement?
Participants must be at least 18 years old, or have a signed guardian waiver.
Registration
How do I register?
Hit the Register Now button at the top of any page and fill out the form. It takes less than five minutes.
When does registration close?
Registration runs Oct 6 – Nov 5. Space is limited, so register early!
Does it cost anything?
No — Gator Hack V is completely free to attend, including food, swag, and workshops.
Can I register as a team?
Everyone registers individually; you’ll link up with your team on Devpost before submissions. Don’t have a team yet? We’ll help you find one.
Hacking Weekend
Can I stay overnight?
The venue stays open all weekend with designated rest areas. You’re also free to go home and come back — hacking runs around the clock.
Will there be workshops?
Yes — two workshop blocks on Saturday cover technical topics from intro-level to advanced, plus sponsor-led sessions. See the Schedule.
Will mentors be available?
Mentors from industry and campus float throughout the weekend, with dedicated office hours on Sunday morning.
What if I get stuck?
Ask in Discord, grab a mentor, or visit the help desk. Getting unstuck fast is what the community is for.
Submissions
How do I submit my project?
Submit through Devpost before the Sunday 5:00 PM deadline. Include your repo link, a short description, and a demo video or slides.
What needs to be in my submission?
A working demo (or honest progress), your code repository, and a brief write-up of what it does and how you built it.
Can I use existing code or libraries?
Open-source libraries, frameworks, and APIs are fair game. Your project itself must be built during the event — no pre-written project code.
What happens after I submit?
Judges review projects on Monday, finalists may be asked to demo, and winners are announced at the awards ceremony Monday evening.
Prizes
What can I win?
Over $10,000 in cash, track prizes, sponsor awards, and swag. See the full breakdown on the Prizes page.
Can one team win multiple prizes?
Yes — a project can take a main award and also win track or sponsor prizes it qualifies for.
How are cash prizes paid out?
Prizes are split evenly among team members and paid out after the event. Details will be shared with winners.
Travel & Venue
Where is the event held?
At the Reitz Union on the UF campus in Gainesville, FL. Room details will be shared with registered participants.
Is parking available?
Campus garages near the venue are available on the weekend. We’ll share specific parking guidance closer to the event.
Is the venue accessible?
Yes — the venue is wheelchair accessible. If you have specific accessibility needs, email us and we’ll make sure you’re set.
Other
What’s the code of conduct?
We follow the MLH Code of Conduct. Be kind, be inclusive, and help make the event welcoming for everyone.
Can I volunteer or mentor instead of competing?
Yes please! Email us and we’ll get you on the volunteer or mentor roster.
My company wants to sponsor. Who do I talk to?
We’d love that — check out the Sponsors page or email us for the sponsorship packet.
My question isn’t answered here.
Reach out on Discord or email us — we answer fast, especially during event season.
