15+ Hackathon Platforms to Level Up Your Tech Skills
Ronnie Atuhaire
As someone who has participated in over 45 hackathons since 2021, I’ve come to appreciate how impactful these experiences can be, not just for winning prizes, but for building real-world skills, expanding your network, and launching your tech career. Whether you're into AI, cybersecurity, blockchain, or social impact, there’s a platform for you.
Here’s a curated list of top hackathon platforms, coding challenge sites, and innovation competitions that can help you unlock your potential in 2025 and beyond: This list is in no particular order, but I am more active on DevPost than any other platform. Kindly read the eligibility for each hackathon to see if you actually qualify before you proceed.
🚀 1. Devpost
The home of global hackathons. It hosts challenges from big names like Meta, Microsoft, and NASA. Whether you're building an app, startup, or AI model, this is where many great devs begin.
I have won some Hackathons on this platform the latest one being the Canva AI Hackathon as the Best Use of APIs with instaCanva .Feel free to follow me on DevPost.
💪 2. Hackerearth
Ideal for developers, data scientists, and job seekers. It features coding challenges, hiring events, and AI competitions.
🎓 3. MLH (Major League Hacking)
A favorite among university students. Expect high-energy weekend hackathons, live workshops, and a huge global community.
👩🏿💻4. Lablab.ai
Focuses on cutting-edge AI technologies. A great place to prototype using LangChain, GPT, Stable Diffusion, and more. I have recently fallen in love with this site as an AI enthusiast and yet to win some hackathons on it too!
🪨 5. TryHackMe
A fun, gamified platform for cybersecurity training and competitions. Great for beginners and advanced learners alike.
📊 6. Kaggle
The go-to platform for machine learning and data science competitions. Boost your modeling skills with real-world datasets. I have participate in some Machine learning challenges here…Feel free to try it out if you are into Data Science, AI & Machine Learning.
🛍️ 7. Zindi
Zindi is Africa’s leading data science platform hosting real-world AI competitions with social impact. If you're into machine learning and want to solve actual local/global challenges, Zindi is the spot.
💼 8. GitHub Global Campus
Ideal for student developers. Access exclusive hackathons, mentorship, and free tools from GitHub.
🎓 9. HackClub
A vibrant high school hacker community running local and online hackathons for young builders. Check eligibility here!
🌟 10. GitCoin
For Web3 and blockchain enthusiasts. Participate in bounties and open-source challenges, get paid in crypto. This reminds me of ETHGlobal in different cities that you could also try out if you are a Web 3 bro 🔥
🏆 11. Imagine Cup by Microsoft
Microsoft’s prestigious global competition for students to build tech that solves real problems. A great launchpad for social entrepreneurs. As a Microsoft Ambassador, I have participated in this for 2 years without getting even to regional winners…But try it out incase you want to learn more about Microsoft related technologies.
🌚 12. Call for Code by IBM
A challenge that invites developers to build solutions for climate change, humanitarian crises, and more. I participated in this last year and built some cool app using IBM Foundation models including Granite etc…
✨ 13. AngelHack
Runs global hackathons with a strong startup focus. Great if you're looking to scale your idea into a venture. Never tried this but will see what the future holds…
🌟 14. Devfolio
India's largest community-driven hackathon platform. Also known for ETHIndia and other Web3/DeFi challenges. However much it is mainly for India, most web 3 enthusiasts have found it a go to alternative to host hackathons globally. Recently participated in Base Batches that was hosted here…
🔗 15. Hashnode
While these aren’t traditional hackathon sites, they’re amazing for technical blogging, developer storytelling, and sharing your hackathon journey with a larger community. I have actually won two Hashnode hackathons, one was more of a writeathon… Just no longer active that much
Other Mentions
Of course, beyond hackathons, the tech ecosystem also offers a wide variety of other exciting challenges, including Datathons, Writeathons, and Ideathons, each designed to foster creativity and real-world problem-solving. These events are often organized by global and local tech companies, universities, and communities. I’ve previously had the privilege of serving as a Judge for Technovation, a global initiative empowering girls to code and lead through innovation.
Here in Uganda, we also see growing momentum with initiatives like the WordPress Project Competitions, HackerNoon writing challenges, and several contests embedded within major tech events. This year alone, I’m gearing up to host another hackathon under GDG On Campus – Makerere University, following the success of the first Inter-University Hackathon (AI Fest) held in April. But we’re not stopping there.
Watch AIFest Recap 🔥
Keep an eye out for the upcoming TechX: Bits & Bots Hackathon, an Aviathon set for October, and possibly a High School Coding Competition in December.
Bonus Mention: Dev Community
I have so far participated in one challenge on this platform, and I believe it is worth mentioning too.
Conclusion:
Hackathons are more than just a weekend sprint; they’re about building confidence, sharpening skills, finding teammates, and sometimes, launching careers. If you're looking to grow in tech, consider exploring at least 3-5 of these platforms this year.
And if you’re already active in the hackathon space: What’s your favorite platform? What was your most memorable build?
Let’s share and grow together 🔥😍
Subscribe to my newsletter
Read articles from Ronnie Atuhaire directly inside your inbox. Subscribe to the newsletter, and don't miss out.
Written by
Ronnie Atuhaire
Ronnie Atuhaire
My name is Ronnie & a fellow geek like you😎. I am passionately tech curious. I blog, tweet, write, code, vlog, discuss and eat anything about tech. 😍 Feel Free To Connect 😍