With over 1,000 applications received for this year’s student-run hackathon at UC Santa Cruz, CruzHacks 2019 is shaping up to be the biggest and most diverse one yet. Opening ceremonies will start at 7 p.m. on Friday, January 18, at the Stevenson Event Center.
Roughly 40 percent of the participants will hail from outside of UC Santa Cruz, signifying the event’s widespread appeal to surrounding communities. This group includes not only students from nearby universities, but many high school students who wish to further develop their hacking skills. CruzHacks organizers also expect increased participation from females as well as other underrepresented groups.
Santa Cruz and Bay Area technology companies are lending their support and expertise for the event, including Google, Microsoft, ProductYX, Looker, and Plantronics. Local nonprofit organizations, including environmental and animal safety groups, are also providing support to help realize the values of social good that CruzHacks seeks to champion.
Organizers invite anyone with a passion for technology to get involved as a judge or mentor for the event. There are several spots open in each position, and there can never be too many people willing to help young hackers make their visions come to life. For more information or to sign up as a judge or mentor, visit the event web site at cruzhacks.com.
