CruzHacks 2018
Create something that makes
a difference.
January 19-21, 2018
Porter Dining Hall
Santa Cruz, CA
Join us for a weekend of innovation and impact.
CruzHacks brings together a diverse and inclusive group of students and professionals to develop innovative solutions to solve real world challenges. Last year we brought together 700 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.
Concept
Put your thinking cap on and brainstorm a unique, innovative, and progressive idea that delivers a positive effect on your community.
Collaborate
Team up with students from 25+ universities, and 50+ mentors as you power through the weekend!
Create
Try out a new API, team up with your fellow students, and build something amazing at CruzHacks!
An all inclusive environment
This year, we’re working even harder to make CruzHacks a diverse and welcoming event for students of all skill levels. Our pre-hack events help newcomers build their first website, and assist seasoned coders in expanding their skill set with new technologies.
Opening and Closing Speakers
Guy Kawasaki
Chief Evangelist of Canva
Guy Kawasaki is the chief evangelist of Canva, an online graphic design tool. He is a brand ambassador for Mercedes-Benz and an executive fellow of the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business. He was the chief evangelist of Apple and a trustee of the Wikimedia Foundation.
Toby Corey
Entrepreneur, Innovator, Disruptor
Toby Corey is a lifelong entrepreneur and innovator. He currently lectures at Stanford University in the Management, Science and Engineering college. Corey was previously a Tesla and SolarCity executive, and co-founded and lead USWeb—the leading Web developer—to a successful IPO. He sits on the boards of Buoy, Advanced MicroGrid Services, and WildLifeDirect (former board member) with Chairman Dr. Richard Leakey. Corey is on the advisory boards of Inboard, Ya Doggie, CruzFoam, and working on his new stealth-mode start-up.
Jeremy Britton
Head of Design at Looker
Jeremy Britton is the head of design at Looker, a Santa Cruz based company that aims to provide meaningful data analysis to other businesses. Britton is enthusiastic about integrating software engineering with design, and helped pioneer the UCSC Media and Electronics program.
George Blumenthal
UC Santa Cruz Chancellor
A strong advocate for technology and entrepreneurship, George Blumenthal is also a board member of Joint Venture Silicon Valley and the Silicon Valley Leadership Group.
Stories from past hackers
Sarah Borland
UCSC Alumni — Software Engineer at IBM
CruzHacks shaped key essential technical skills as well as social skills that I use everyday to be a successful software engineer at IBM. Given the opportunity to explore various technologies,
I got the chance to learn industry standard tools that I now use in my everyday work. I learnt so much from the technical mentors and sponsors as well as from my fellow pioneering students from college all over the bay.
Alex Nguyen
UCSC Alumni — Former Participant
My first hackathon was CruzHacks. It was actually my last year of college, but I did get a lot more than I was expecting – exposure, experience, and fun! It was incredible to see so much diversity in technologies, ideas, and people. Within those 36 “hacking” hours, I learned things you wouldn’t find in your normal everyday class. I’d definitely say it was a memorable experience – collaborating with friends, programming at lightning speed, and sleeping on tables. CruzHacks was awesome and there was, like, an unlimited supply of food and free swag.
Brian Rono
Graduate — CSU Monterey Bay
I went specifically to CruzHacks because it was outside of CSUMB in every way. A different school, different organizers, new surroundings, new people to think with. It helps to visit other communities to see and understand their perspective. There is consistently food and snacks available. There is always a volunteer ready to help around the clock. CruzHacks also had more diversity, attracting other schools and outside participants. And the prizes were worth entering for.
Thank you to our wonderful sponsors!
Interested in sponsoring?
Each year, our sponsors help our attendees to build projects they're proud of. Help us connect 700+ emerging developers, designers, and innovators at this year's hackathon.
Schedule
Friday
January 19, 2018
Saturday
January 20, 2018
Sunday
January 21, 2018
CruzHacks in the Media
Student-run hackathon scheduled for January 19-21
—UC Newscenter
Hack UCSC rebrands as CruzHacks, starts preparing for 2018 event
—Santa Cruz Tech Beat
Red Bull & Pizza Fuels Hack UCSC 2017
—Santa Cruz Tech Beat
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a hackathon?
A hackathon is where you can build out your ideas, network, and show off your skills. This 3-day event consists of forming teams, choosing an idea, building it out, and showing it off at the end. Hundreds of students, sponsors, mentors, and judges gather together to push the limits of what you can build, only limited by your imagination.
Who can participate?
Everyone can! This event is open to coders, designers, artists, project managers, and anyone else who wants to create! No prior coding or technical experience is necessary, and everyone is welcome to participate in the hackathon!
What are the rules of the hackathon?
As a Major League Hacking member event, we follow Major League Hacking’s Code of Conduct which ensures all attendees to CruzHacks are respectful regardless of who you are and where you come from. Additionally, to be considered for an award, you must only submit a project that your team wrote and worked on during the hackathon & agree to our 2018 Participation Agreement
What are the prizes?
There are going to be awesome prizes at the event! Take a look at our categories page that will be continually updated as the details roll in!
How can I become a sponsor?
Our sponsor pamphlet can be found here. Please also contact Anjali, our sponsorship expert, at akanthil@ucsc.edu and we can discuss the best way for your organization to get involved!
How can I keep up to date on CruzHacks 2018 news?
Follow our Facebook page here! This is also a great place to find other hackers to team with, or explore ideas on what to build.
Is this completely free?
Yes! This event is completely free for everyone! Unlike in years past, we will not be charging an admission fee for this event. We will cover all costs (including all meals) for the entire duration of the event. Note: CruzHacks 2018 does not cover any travel costs
What should I bring to the hackathon?
Some essential things to bring include a laptop (with charger), an empty bag for swag, and a change of clothes if you plan on spending the night!
How many people can I have on my team?
Each team can have a maximum number of 5 people.
How can I become a mentor or judge?
We would love to have you as a mentor or judge. Judges can apply here, and mentors can apply here.
I'd like to help out!
If you're interested in volunteering for this year's hackathon, sign up here!
Meet the organizing team!
Zimraan Hamid
Executive Director
Anjali Kanthilal
Executive Director
Alexis Camanga
Director of Logistics
Amit Saxena
Director of Sponsorship
Anisha Trivedi
Director of Public Relations
Greg Wolff
Director of Design
Sarah Ali
Editor-In-Chief
Olivia Ahmed
Logistics Lead
Hector Briseno
Logistics Lead
Rachel Trail
Logistics Lead
Madi Fishtrom
Sponsorship Lead
Shyaan Khan
Sponsorship Lead
Kristine Nguyen
Sponsorship Lead
Soham Saha
Sponsorship Lead
Karthik Manickam
Development Lead
Advisory Committee
Lena Bacon
President of Gesher Group
Kenneth Jones
President of Formula Slug
Kevin Viet Le
Microsoft Senior Student Partner
Sukh Singh
CEO of Code Naturally
Board of Directors
Sue Carter
Director of CIED at UCSC
Doug Erickson
Vice President of Sales at Nanigans
Mark Adams
Founder of Ottm
Sonya Newlyn
CIED Assistant at UCSC
