Hudson Valley Open Data Hackathon 2026

Innovating. Collaborating. Making A Difference.

When: April 4th, 2026

Where: RPI Campus (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Darrin Communications Center (DCC), 51 College Avenue, Troy, 12180 )

On April 4th, 2026, the Hudson Valley tech community will gather at RPI for a high-energy day of "Innovating, Collaborating, and Making A Difference." 

Two Ways to Make an Impact

Tech Community: Sharpen your tech talent on real world problems that affect our region

• Come for a fun day of problem-solving innovation and collaboration that also looks great on your resume.

• PSA: This is a unique opportunity to create your dream job. Pick the problem you want to solve, and let your vision and pitch prove that you’re the one to hire. Or sweet twist… Catalyze your pitch and team into a startup and get hired to solve the problem as an outside vendor. 

Government Agencies & Municipalities: Bring us your toughest civic challenges and get ready to think outside of the box, hiring the next generation of genius.

• This is where public sector problems meet innovative minds. One day. Real challenges. Implementable solutions.

THEME: From Data to Action

We're generating data. We're collecting data. How can we USE this data with the power of AI in innovative ways to benefit our community?

For Government Agencies & Municipalities

Pitch Your Challenge. Get Solutions. Recognize the winners

• Drowning in data but starving for insights? Sitting on spreadsheets that could save money, improve services, or transform how residents interact with government? It's time to turn that data into action with the power of AI and the creativity of the Hudson Valley tech community.

What You Get:

• Multiple solution approaches developed in a single day
• Diverse teams combining AI expertise, professional experience, and youthful innovation
• Direct collaboration with teams who understand civic tech
• Connection to talent who care about public service
• Implementable prototypes with real community impact

What We Need From You:

• A clearly defined civic challenge (5-minute pitch)
• Relevant data or guidance on accessing it
• Your expertise and feedback throughout the day
• Openness to unexpected solutions

Example Challenges: Traffic data → safer streets. Budget spreadsheets → transparent visualizations. Environmental sensors → predictive prevention. Service requests → optimized delivery. Constituent feedback → actionable insights. Departmental silos → connected intelligence.
 

For the Tech Community

Solve Real Problems. Build Your Portfolio. Launch Your Impact.

Choose a challenge that matters. Work with government partners who need your skills. Create solutions that could actually be implemented.

What You Get:

• Real-world experience solving authentic civic challenges
• Cross-generational teams blending professionals with students
• Direct access to government stakeholders and decision-makers
• Hands-on workshops on AI integration and civic tech
• Recognition and prizes plus implementation pathways
• Informal networking that leads to jobs, internships, and partnerships

Who You Are: 

Developers • Data Scientists • Designers • Students • Recent Grads • Product Managers • Civic Tech Enthusiasts • All Skill Levels Welcome

• Participants Sign Up
• Mentors and Volunteers Sign Up
• Call for Speakers for 2026 (all events)
• Sponsorship opportunities
• Submit your Sponsorship inquiry

Support us - sponsor your challenge!

Our Proven Formula

Hi-Tech Meets Low-Tech:

• Google Gemini, ADK and AI tools alongside whiteboards and practical prototyping. The best solution is the one that works.

Professionals + Youth + Government:

• Experience meets fresh perspective meets real-world context. This is three-way collaboration at its best.

Gateway to Opportunities:

• Youth demonstrate skills organically. Professionals expand networks. Agencies discover talent. Authentic connections, no stiff interviews.

Entrepreneurial Mindset:

• From prototype to implementation. The best projects could become real startup initiatives serving the Hudson Valley.

Collaborative Problem-Solving:

• Government and YOU—that's who defines the need. Tech builds the solution. Together, you create civic innovation. You are welcome to pitch the challenge... If you see something, say something.