HackHQ is a hackathon management platform that replaces fragmented spreadsheets, forms, and voting tools with a single system for running in-person innovation events. The software provides integrated tools for event setup, registration, team submissions, judging workflows, and live results calculation - designed for organizations that want to focus on mentorship and innovation rather than logistics management.
The platform serves event organizers at corporations, universities, and community organizations running hackathons and innovation challenges. HackHQ is purpose-built for in-person environments where organizers need to manage competitions ranging from small team sprints to company-wide innovation weeks. The software addresses the common challenge of juggling multiple disconnected tools - Google Forms, spreadsheets, Slack, and manual vote counting - by consolidating all hackathon operations into one platform.
The platform includes the following core capabilities:
- Self-organizing competition structure with grand prizes, category tracks, and optional sponsor challenges - teams select their track and opt into bonus challenges during submission, eliminating manual sorting
- Zero-friction participation where participants join via shared link or QR code without creating accounts, removing signup barriers that reduce engagement
- Customizable form builder for registration and project submissions with 10+ field types, validation rules, deadlines, and participant limits
- Configurable judging system supporting judge-only, audience, or hybrid voting modes with custom scoring criteria and real-time progress tracking showing exactly who has voted
- Live results dashboard with automatic ranking as votes come in, detailed scoring breakdowns, flexible award assignment (shared winners, honorable mentions), and CSV export for stakeholder presentations
All interfaces are mobile-optimized to maximize participation during events. Results update in real-time, providing transparency and eliminating the stress of manual vote tallying during live ceremonies.
Organizations use HackHQ to reduce administrative overhead, increase participation through frictionless access, and deliver accurate, trusted results. The platform is built for environments where organizers want to spend their time mentoring teams and building community rather than managing logistics.