Pick any app. Ship its future.

Hack to the Future is a hackathon about upgrading software that already exists. Instead of starting from a blank page, every team picks a real app people use today and builds the feature it doesn't have yet: the one users keep asking for, the fix for something everyone hates, or a bold idea that app might ship years from now.

You don't need access to the app's code. Teams can build a working add-on, extension, integration, clone of the relevant screen, or interactive prototype that shows the feature in action. Judges are looking for ideas that feel like they belong in the original app and could actually ship.

Open to developers, designers, product thinkers, and first-time hackers. Solo builders and teams are both welcome.

Requirements

Every submission must include:

  1. Project name and the app you upgraded. Name the existing app (for example, "Spotify" or "Google Calendar") and your new feature.
  2. Problem statement (2 to 3 sentences). What's missing or frustrating in the app today, and who it affects.
  3. Before and after. A screenshot or short description of how the app works now, next to your version with the new feature.
  4. Demo video (3 minutes max). Show the feature working. Upload to YouTube, Vimeo, or Loom as public or unlisted.
  5. Source code. A link to a public GitHub repo (or a shared design file for prototype-only projects), with a README explaining how to run or view it.
  6. How it works. A short list of the tools, APIs, languages, and AI models you used.
  7. Team members. Every member's name and email, matching their registration.

Optional but encouraged: a live link people can try, and a sentence on how the app's company could roll the feature out.

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

1 non-cash prize
Winner
1 winner

Amazon gift card

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Mitchelle Ashley Creado

Mitchelle Ashley Creado
Microsoft

Judging Criteria

  • Usefulness
    Does it solve a real problem for the app's users?
  • Fit
    Does it feel like it belongs in the original app? Could the company actually ship it?
  • Creativity
    Is it a fresh, forward-looking idea, not an obvious tweak?
  • Execution
    Does the demo work, and is it well built and clearly presented?

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

Invite others to compete

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.