The FutureStack GenAI hackathon is offering over $15,000 in cash prizes, plus interview opportunities at Cerebras and Meta. With competition from developers worldwide, how do you give your project the winning edge? After diving deep into the judging criteria and hackathon rules, here are the top 5 strategies that will maximize your chances of taking home a prize.
Tip #1: Choose Your Sponsor Technology Strategically (And Actually Use It)
Here's the deal-breaker: To qualify for any cash prizes or interview opportunities, you MUST use at least one sponsor technology. This isn't optional—it's mandatory.
You have three options:
Cerebras API – Build with the world's fastest AI chip for lightning-fast inference and training. Perfect if you're working on compute-intensive AI applications that need serious speed.
Meta's Llama – Leverage open-source large language models to create impactful generative AI applications. Ideal for chatbots, content generation, code assistants, and innovative AI-powered tools.
Docker MCP Gateway – Show creative use of Docker MCP Gateway. Great for projects that emphasize scalability, deployment, or novel architecture patterns.
Pro Strategy: Pick the technology that aligns with your team's strengths and your project idea. Don't force a technology just because you think it's "trendy." The judges are looking for meaningful integration, not superficial implementation. Study the Resources section documentation before the hackathon starts so you hit the ground running.
Bonus move: If you can naturally incorporate multiple sponsor technologies, you might catch the judges' attention across multiple tracks. Just ensure each integration adds real value.
Tip #2: Master the Triple Threat Submission
Your submission needs three critical components, and all three carry equal weight:
1. A Clean GitHub Repository with Visible Commit History
The judges will review your code and commits. This means:
- Make regular commits throughout the hackathon to show progressive development
- Use clear, descriptive commit messages
- Organize your code professionally with proper folder structure
- Include comments where necessary
Red flag to avoid: A single massive commit at the end looks suspicious and suggests the work wasn't done during the hackathon.
2. A Crystal-Clear README File
Your README is often the first thing judges see. Make it count:
- Start with a compelling project description that explains the problem you're solving
- Include setup instructions so judges can actually run your project
- List the technologies used (especially sponsor tech!)
- Add screenshots or GIFs showing your project in action
- Explain your architecture and key technical decisions
- Credit any open-source libraries, APIs, or resources used
Template tip: Look at winning hackathon projects from previous competitions to see what excellent READMEs look like.
3. A Compelling 2-Minute Demo Video (This is Mandatory!)
Many participants underestimate this, but your demo video is crucial:
- Keep it to exactly 2 minutes—respect the judges' time
- Start with the problem statement (15-20 seconds)
- Show your solution in action (60-75 seconds)
- End with impact and future potential (15-20 seconds)
- Use screen recording software and ensure audio is clear
- Show real functionality, not just slides
Extra credit opportunity: While deployment is optional, deployed projects score bonus points. If you can show a live URL in your video rather than just localhost, you'll stand out.
Tip #3: Build a Balanced Team of 2-4 Members
Solo projects are allowed, but teams of 2-4 members have distinct advantages:
Why team size matters:
- Multiple skill sets mean stronger execution across technical implementation, design, and presentation
- Parallel development speeds up progress during the intense 7-day timeline
- Different perspectives lead to more creative solutions
- Workload distribution prevents burnout
The ideal team composition:
- At least one strong backend/AI developer (to handle the sponsor tech integration)
- One frontend developer or UI/UX person (for aesthetics and user experience)
- Someone who's great at communication (for the README and video)
Important eligibility note: All team members must be 16+ years old and officially registered. Make sure everyone completes the registration form before you start collaborating.
Team coordination tip: While the hackathon is fully online, you can coordinate with your teammates through any platform you prefer—Discord, Slack, Zoom, whatever works. Just ensure all members are registered and your collaborative work happens during the hackathon period.
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