Get ready for 36 hours of creativity, coding, and global collaboration!
HackMIT China 2026 is set to return with tremendous momentum, bringing the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s hackathon culture to young innovators across the globe. Taking place from 27 to 29 March 2026 at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, the event represents MIT’s first fully localised extension of its iconic hackathon model tailored for students in Years 7 to 12. Combining academic rigour, high‑intensity collaboration, and world‑class mentorship, HackMIT China continues to accelerate the growth of youth innovation across technology, science, and social impact.
The event draws directly from MIT’s century‑old philosophy, Mens et Manus—“Mind and Hand”—which emphasises learning through doing. This foundational approach underpins MIT’s global reputation as one of the world’s top research universities and one of the birthplaces of artificial intelligence, home to legendary figures such as Marvin Minsky and John McCarthy. It is this spirit of invention that HackMIT China aims to infuse into its three‑day competition, offering students a rare opportunity to learn, build, and innovate under the guidance of MIT scholars and industry experts.
- A World‑Class Youth Hackathon Experience
Since its inception in 2014, the original HackMIT in the United States has grown into one of the largest and most influential campus hackathons, attracting more than 13,000 students and generating over 2,000 innovative project submissions. HackMIT China carries this legacy forward by offering a 36‑hour high‑intensity challenge, where participants work in small teams to design and develop a prototype addressing real‑world issues. Guided by MIT student mentors and experienced professionals, teams brainstorm ideas, analyse user needs, build functional prototypes, and present their final solutions through a pitch.
The competition embraces MIT’s long‑standing tradition of interdisciplinary collaboration, encouraging participants to break through subject boundaries and explore the intersection of science, engineering, creativity, and design. It also serves as a global innovation hub, connecting students and mentors from more than thirty countries and fostering a collaborative international community.
- Four Forward‑Thinking Innovation Tracks
Participants may choose from four cutting‑edge development tracks, each reflecting some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities of our time:
- Education Technology – Creating personalised learning tools, interactive knowledge platforms, or solutions that enhance educational equity.
- Entertainment – Exploring the fusion of technology and creativity through games, interactive art, or digital storytelling experiences.
- Sustainability – Addressing environmental protection, low‑carbon living, and resource efficiency through smart monitoring or eco‑friendly innovations.
- Healthcare & Wellness – Developing practical, human‑centred solutions that improve wellbeing, promote healthy habits, or assist vulnerable communities.
Students may submit a wide variety of project formats including software applications, web tools, mini‑programs, hardware prototypes, IoT devices, or hybrid systems. Programming languages and frameworks are open‑ended, giving teams full creative freedom.
- Comprehensive Judging and Meaningful Recognition
Projects are evaluated across five key dimensions: innovation, technical complexity, social impact, collaboration, and presentation. A balanced scoring framework ensures that students are recognised not only for technical skill but also creativity, teamwork, communication, and problem‑solving.
Outstanding teams will receive Gold, Silver, Bronze, and track‑specific awards. The top six teams earn a prestigious invitation to the global HackMIT finals held annually at MIT in September, with remaining top teams placed on a waiting list should spots become available. All participants receive an official certificate, and exceptional projects may be included in future academic portfolios or featured on MIT’s project showcase platform.
- Building Future Innovators
HackMIT China has become a leading platform for young creators, inspiring students to build everything from smart robots to AI learning tools and health‑tech prototypes. With top‑tier mentorship, a diverse global community, and a spirit of curiosity and hands‑on learning, HackMIT China 2026 promises an exciting, meaningful, and transformative experience for every participant.
