Participant Guide
Everything you need to prepare for 24+ hours of hacking — from meals and rest to your packing checklist. Read this before the event so you can focus on building.
TL;DR
Meals are provided. The venue is open 24 hours. Bring your laptop, chargers, a sleeping bag, and a reusable water bottle. Arrive at Randstad Box by ~8:15 AM on Saturday.
Who Can Participate
GDG AI HACK is open to a wide range of backgrounds and experience levels. You don't need to be a CS major or a seasoned developer to apply.
- University students of all years (bachelor's, master's, PhD) and recent graduates
- All backgrounds welcome — not just engineers. UI/UX designers, business students, humanities majors, domain experts: if you bring a perspective, you belong here
- Diverse teams win — heterogeneous teams consistently outperform homogeneous ones. We actively encourage mixed skill sets and disciplines
- Solo applicants — apply on your own and we'll help match you with a team before the event
- Pre-formed teams of up to 4 members are also welcome
- All experience levels — from first-time hackers to seasoned builders. What matters is curiosity and willingness to learn
Food & Drinks
We've got the basics covered so you can focus on building.
- Complimentary meals are provided during the event
- Free water dispenser on-site — bring your own reusable bottle
- Galvanina drinks available (tea, cola, and more)
- Vending machines for snacks and coffee whenever you need a boost
Due to the large number of participants, specific dietary requirements may not be fully accommodated. If you have particular dietary needs, we recommend bringing your own food and snacks to be safe.
Night Stay & Rest
You're in for 24+ hours of hacking — power naps are your best friend. The venue stays open around the clock during the event, so you can work (and rest) on your own schedule.
- Designated quiet zones will be available for resting
- Bring a sleeping bag or travel blanket
- A travel pillow makes a huge difference
- Eye mask and earplugs — you'll thank yourself later
- Wear comfortable clothing you can move and sleep in
What to Bring
Your pre-event packing checklist, sorted by priority.
- Personal ID
- Laptop + charger
- Phone + charger
- Headphones
- Reusable water bottle
- Medications you need
- Sleeping bag or blanket
- Travel pillow
- Eye mask + earplugs
- Comfortable clothes
- Toothbrush + deodorant
- Snacks & energy bars
- Power bank
- USB-C / display adapters
- Nice outfit for final presentations (optional but fun)
General Tips
- Pace yourself — 24 hours is a marathon, not a sprint. Take breaks, stretch, and get fresh air
- Communicate with your team — divide tasks early and check in often
- Save your work frequently — commit to Git early and often
- Ask for help — mentors and organizers are there to support you
- Have fun — hackathons are about learning and meeting people, not just winning
Pro Tip
If it's your first hackathon, don't stress about the overnight part. Most people catch a few hours of sleep and that's perfectly fine. The energy in the room carries you through.
Set a phone alarm for key moments — meals, mentor sessions, and the submission deadline. It's easy to lose track of time when you're deep in the zone.