FAQ

Hackathons are fun and creative learning environments in which competitors race against the clock to hack together innovative solutions to a real-world challenge of their choice. Typically, these competitions are geared towards computer science and digital solutions, but MedTech Hack focuses on physical healthcare technologies. Through our program, competitors learn how to program AND build devices that solve challenging medical issues.

YES! Our hackathon program is geared towards students who have never competed in a hackathon, let alone built their own device! Students with technical experience are welcome, but keep in mind that much of our Fall Training is designed to teach prototyping from the ground up.

Any university student over 18 can register! Our 2025 - 2026 Season Registration will be available on August 22nd. Registration is FREE, and our sponsors pay for all your materials/training, food, and swag 😎! All our in-person activities are also hosted on the Georgia Tech campus, so you just need to worry about transportation and sleeping accommodations if you are not near campus!

Our Discord server! We recommend downloading Discord on your phone or laptop. Make sure you are able to see all our channels and have notifications ON! We may send emails as well, but typically these email announcements are also communicated via Discord!

All you need is a laptop, laptop charger, and mouse (sometimes we will even buy you a mouse). All materials for Fall Training and Build Weekend are provided by MedTech Hack and our partners!

No worries if you do not have a team already! We host social events throughout the season to connect you all. Feel free to make use of our Discord too!

Although you are not allowed to bring your own materials/pre-made parts to the hackathon next weekend, that does not stop you from practicing a few designs or 3D prints that you may try for the build weekend. Think about what you need to prototype and make sure some of the parts you are brainstorming are feasible for your team to design or build in the Invention Studio (check out the makerspace beforehand as well to familiarize yourself with the space and tools available)

There are several different blocks of time in which teams could accomplish different tasks:

• Invention Studio Time: Will have access to all equipment/materials in the Invention Studio general room

• Overnight: Will NOT have access to Invention Studio but can work in other campus spaces (especially the bio quad)

• Meal Breaks: Cannot touch project but can collect your thoughts and plan ahead

These time blocks were designed to ensure safe operation of provided equipment as well as keep competitors well-fed 🥡 (bc we ❤️ you all) and "rested" 😴. But you can take advantage of this schedule to plan out when/who on your team should focusing on designing, building, programming, and testing. The best solutions take many prototypes to get to, so plan to work on multiple iterations on your ideas! Some time usage suggestions:

• Invention Studio Time: For each iteration you can have 2 teammates build while the rest of the team codes/designs some tests for current iteration, then see what works and does not and improve/repeat

• Overnight: Start any large 3D prints to finish over each of the nights before you leave the Invention Studio and continue designing concepts, writing code, and brainstorming improvements/pivots/tests

• Meal Breaks: Plan ahead and just breathe (if nothing is working, pivot to a different perspective or even a similar problem based on everything you learned)

Though there is no dress code, consider being presentable to judging professors and not being stinky after all that 36 hours of prototyping!

Feel free to email us at gtmedtechhack@gmail.com or visit our Discord

Email us at gtmedtechhack@gmail.com for our Sponsor Packet and more details!