1. Kick Off with Clear Communication & Track Selection
Start by syncing up with your team (or structuring your solo plan). Review all the tracks listed on the website, then decide which aligns best with your strengths and goals. Early clarity here lays the foundation for a smooth journey.
Whether you’re in it for the challenge or aiming to shine in the OpenxAI Global AI Accelerator 2025 University Hackathon, your track selection plays a critical role.
2. Ideate & Align on Project Scope
Once you’ve picked a track, brainstorm ideas that fit it. The goal: solve a real problem or explore a compelling AI use case. Look for opportunities to differentiate choose concepts that are feasible within the hackathon’s time-boxed environment.
3. Research Tools & Define Tech Stack
After narrowing down your idea, identify the technologies you’ll need: frameworks, APIs, models, libraries. Research diligently tools like Perplexity AI (an agentic search tool) can help you quickly gather background, competitor insights, and implementation guidance.
4. Plan Roles & Responsibilities
Team scenario: Assign clear roles frontend, backend, data, UX/presentation. Even though a full presentation isn’t required, preparing a slide deck with your business model, user value, problem and solution statements will elevate your edge.
Solo scenario: Embrace flexibility and autonomy, but be realistic. Build what you can, and if time’s tight, focus on a sharp prototype over scope creep.
5. Perform Market & User Research
Winning projects address actual user needs. Conduct rapid market checks to validate whether people will want what you’re building. Use AI agents, quick surveys or online research to confirm your pitch and refine your value proposition.
6. Prototype Rapidly & Iterate
Time is short — choose MVP features that demonstrate impact. Code collaboratively, test early, and iterate quickly. A working demo is the heart of your submission.
7. Build a Presentation or Pitch Deck(completely optional)
To have a better edge at hacks its great if you craft a concise pitch deck summarizing:
- Problem statement
- Your solution
- Technology stack
- Business model & future scope
Even if not mandatory, a polished pitch deck shows thoughtfulness and preparedness.Make sure to add it’s link to the README on github.
8. Seek Mentorship & Feedback
Use Discord, Slack, or community channels to ask mentors for feedback before submission. Teams selected during this hackathon can get mentorship from NVIDIA experts a huge boost for polishing your product vision and tech execution.
9. Submit Correctly & Promptly
Follow the official submission process: fork the repo, select your track folder, implement your code, then create a pull request. Ensure your submission aligns with guidelines and happens before the deadline.
Also, make sure to submit your project link along with other necessary details on the official site:
Failing to do so might lead to incomplete registration of your submission.
10. Learn, Network & Enjoy the Experience
Hackathons are about more than winning they’re about learning fast, sharing knowledge, and making connections. Even if the outcome isn’t first place, you’ll gain skills and build relationships for future ventures.
Being part of something as impactful as the OpenxAI Global AI Accelerator Hackathon is a win in itself.
Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
Pitfall How to Avoid Vague project scope Lock in a clear problem + solution before coding begins Ignoring user needs Quick market/user validation = better traction Lack of communication Regular check-ins, shared boards, and open coordination ensure progress No mentor feedback Ask early, ask often — mentors can steer you away from lost direction Missing submission format Follow GitHub PR guidelines per track to avoid disqualification
Final Word
Winning at the OpenxAI Hackathon is about alignment idea, execution, validation, and presentation. Whether you’re a solo striver or a synchronized team, follow these steps, focus on impact, and you’ll be in a strong position. And remember: if you’re selected, mentorship from NVIDIA could be a game-changer so aim for clarity and innovation from day one.
Good luck — and see you at the top! 
Written by — Akshay (10x Hackathon winner, 15x Hacks mentored )