RLC Hacks 2026 

A hackathon built for builders, by builders, focused on optimizing the technology that runs our world.

Check out our site: lovhack.dev/rlc

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/36JDXtjgCn 

Host: Resera

Co-hosts: LovHack (https://lovhack.dev/) and CodeStarters (https://www.codestarters.org/)

Community Partners: GenAI Devs (https://discord.gg/fz6sn2kVyK)

What is RLC Hacks 2026?

RLC Hacks is a 1 week hackathon where your mission is to build software that optimizes the technology behind the systems we depend on every day. Open to builders of any skill level, whether you're in high school, university, or self-taught.

The goal is a working prototype but if a live prototype isn't feasible, a short video demo showcasing your project in action is expected instead.

To be clear: not a proof of concept. Not a pitch deck. A working prototype.

Tracks 

1. Civic Tech Tools that make local government, transit, or public services easier to navigate. Local government websites, transit schedules, and public service systems are often confusing, outdated, or hard to access, especially for people who aren't familiar with how to work through bureaucracy. Projects in this track should make some part of interacting with these systems simpler, faster, or more transparent.

Examples of what you could build:

• An app that translates confusing government forms or permits into plain, step-by-step instructions
• A tool that tracks real-time bus or train delays and predicts arrival times better than existing apps
• A platform that helps residents find out which local office handles a specific issue (potholes, noise complaints, permits, etc.) and how to contact them
• A dashboard that pulls public city council agendas or meeting minutes and summarizes them in plain language
• A tool that helps people check voter registration status, polling locations, or upcoming local elections

2. Small Business AI Tools that give local businesses the same intelligence big chains already have. Large companies use AI for things like demand forecasting, customer insights, and marketing automation, but small businesses usually can't afford that kind of infrastructure. Projects in this track should give small business owners access to similar capabilities in an affordable, easy-to-use way.

Examples of what you could build:

• A tool that predicts slow vs. busy days for a small shop based on past sales, weather, or local events
• An AI assistant that writes social media posts or email campaigns for a local business based on their products
• A simple inventory or demand forecasting tool for small retailers or restaurants
• A chatbot that handles basic customer questions for a small business website
• A tool that analyzes customer reviews and summarizes recurring complaints or praise

3. Community Resource Matching Tools that connect people to food, shelter, healthcare, or other resources in real time. Many people who need help don't know what's available nearby or how to access it quickly. Projects in this track should make it faster and easier to find and connect with the right resource, especially in urgent situations.

Examples of what you could build:

• A map-based app showing real-time availability at food banks, shelters, or free clinics
• A matching tool that asks someone what they need (food, housing, medical care) and instantly suggests nearby options
• A platform that lets local shelters or food pantries update their current capacity or hours in real time
• A tool that connects volunteers with organizations that need help on short notice
• An SMS-based tool for people without reliable internet access to find nearby resources

4. Hyperlocal Data Tools that turn overlooked local datasets into something useful. Cities and towns generate huge amounts of data that mostly goes unused, things like utility usage, crime reports, zoning records, or neighborhood-level census data. Projects in this track should take one of these overlooked datasets and turn it into something people can actually use and understand.

Examples of what you could build:

• A tool that visualizes neighborhood-level crime or safety data in an easy-to-understand way
• An app that analyzes local zoning data to show what can legally be built on a given plot of land
• A platform that tracks and visualizes local utility usage or environmental data (air quality, water quality, etc.)
• A tool that uses public property records to flag vacant or underused buildings in a city
• A dashboard combining multiple local datasets (schools, transit, crime, housing costs) to help people decide where to live

5. Open Track Free to create anything. If your idea doesn't fit neatly into the other four tracks, this is the track for you. There's no theme or restriction here, build whatever you're passionate about, as long as it's a genuine, working piece of software.

Examples of what you could build:

• Literally anything: a game, a productivity tool, a creative AI project, a hardware hack, or something entirely original that doesn't fit anywhere else

Why should you participate?

Honestly, why shouldn't you? This is a free hackathon with real prizes on the line, including render credits, VIP perks, platform subscriptions, and more (full prize breakdown below, and more still to be announced). Even if you don't place, it's a genuine opportunity to sharpen your skills, explore new technologies, and build something that actually matters. You'll also get to connect with other builders and become part of a growing community. Some added perks:

• Certificates and plenty of awards
• Recognition within the RLC community and beyond
• Something real to add to your portfolio
• Amazing prizes for winners, of course
• Continued support for your project after the event ends

• Creativity & Originality
  How unique is the idea? Does the project approach the problem in a fresh or unexpected way, rather than replicating an existing solution?
• Impact & Real-World Relevance
  Does the project genuinely address a meaningful problem? How significant would this solution be if actually implemented?
• Technical Execution
  How well was the project built? Does the software function as intended, and does it demonstrate solid technical skill given the time constraints?
• Thoughtfulness of Design
  Was the solution built with intention? Does it clearly show that the team understood the problem deeply and made deliberate decisions in how they approached solving it, rather than just building something for the sake of building?
• Presentation & Clarity
  How well does the team communicate their idea? Is the problem, solution, and functionality of the project clearly explained in the video submission?