About Us
SB Hacks is a hackathon hosted at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where over 300 students come together to build, learn, and innovate.
Held in the lively Corwin Pavilion, it’s a weekend filled with creativity, collaboration, and cutting-edge tech.
Whether it’s your first line of code or your next big project, SB Hacks’ mission is to empower students to turn ideas into reality.
Come curious, leave inspired, and make something you’re proud of at SB Hacks!
FAQ
Applications are open as of November 14th, 2025! You can sign up for our mailing list on the main page and follow our social media to get updates! Acceptances will be going out on a rolling basis.
A hub for students to program cool projects for a chance of winning a prize, present to company representatives, and do recreational activities!
Bring your phone, laptop, overnight gear, a water bottle, and a photo ID.
SB hacks XII will begin on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 8:00 AM PST, and conclude on Sunday, January 11, 2026.
We guarantee up to $40 in travel reimbursements. Organizers will send a reimbursement form after the hackathon where participants can upload their receipts or credit card statements.
Yes, the maximum is 4 people per team. If you do not enter with a team, no worries! A team formation event will take place at the start of the hackathon.
We have a lot of great prizes ready for this year! They are being announced on our Instagram so go check it out!
No, we welcome hackers from all experience levels. There will be beginner-friendly workshops to help you gain more experience in coding, and a category challenge designed just for beginners.
All hackathon projects must only be made in the time allotted, and only accepted hackers are granted entry. Additional rules can be found here.
SB Hacks is accepting undergraduate students, graduate / Ph.D. students, and graduates who completed their degrees within the past year.
Feel free to email us with any questions at [email protected].
Our Story
Opening ceremony at the Corwin Pavilion