Southwest MN Hacks

About the challengeSouthwest MN Hacks: Marshall Editionis Marshall's first-ever student hackathon. A beginner-friendly, 12-hour event where students come together to turn ideas into real projects.Join us onSaturday, March 21, 2026 (8:00 AM to 8:00 PM)at the Upper Conference Center, Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU), Marshall, MN.Students from high schools, community colleges, and universities will work in small teams (up to 4 people) to build technology solutions to real-world problems. By the end of the day, teams demo what they built, whether that's a website, mobile app, automation tool, data project, or AI prototype.No experience necessary. This event is designed for first-time hackers just as much as experienced developers.TracksCommunity & Main Street- Build solutions that help local businesses, nonprofits, or community organizations in Southwest Minnesota.Student Life- Create tools that improve the student experience, including academics, campus life, wellness, or social connection.AI & Automation- Use artificial intelligence, automation, or data to solve a real problem.Sponsor Challenge:Schwan's Company, our Platinum Sponsor, is providing a real-world business challenge. Details will be announced at the opening ceremony.What's Included (FREE)Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks throughout the dayT-shirts and event swagMentorship and technical support from SMSU Computer Science facultyWorkshops and starter resourcesPlaques and medals for the top 5 teamsGet startedWho Can Participate:Ages 14+ (high school, community college, and university students)All skill levels welcome, from complete beginners to experienced developersTeams of 1 to 4 people (solo participants will be matched with a team)How to Register:Visitsouthwestmnhacks.orgto register. Registration is free.ScheduleTimeEvent8:00 AMOpening Ceremony & Welcome8:30 AMTeam Formation9:00 AMHacking Begins9:30 AMWorkshop: Getting Started12:00 PMLunch1:00 PMWorkshop: Building Your Demo & Pitch3:00 PMAfternoon Snacks5:00 PMSubmissions Due on Devpost5:15 PMTeam Demos & Presentations6:30 PMDinner7:15 PMAwards Ceremony & Closing8:00 PMEvent EndsHosted byETM Software Solutions|southwestmnhacks.org