April 17–19, 2026 — Washington, DC

Critical Ops
Hackathon

The DC area's premier defense technology hackathon. Come build solutions for tomorrow's national security challenges.

◆ Washington, DC
◆ April 17–19, 2026
◆ 3 Days
Register Now → Learn More
Organized by students at
JHU
Johns Hopkins
University
×
GU
Georgetown
University
×
GW
George Washington
University
0
Participants
0
Days
0
Universities
TBA
In Prizes
Backed By

Sponsors & Partners

The organizations making this hackathon possible. Providing funding, API access, mentorship, and real-world problem sets.

Get Involved

Become a Sponsor

Put your brand in front of the next generation of national security technologists.

About the Event

3 Days. One Mission.

The Critical Ops Hackathon brings together the DC area national security community to build technology-oriented solutions for America's most pressing security challenges.

The United States faces an unprecedented array of technology-driven national security threats. From adversarial AI to cyber warfare, from supply chain vulnerabilities to space domain awareness, the challenges are growing faster than the workforce to address them.

This hackathon exists to bridge that gap. We bring together the next generation of engineers, policy thinkers, and entrepreneurs from DC's top universities to prototype solutions that matter.

Whether you're a software engineer, policy expert, or an operator who can code, there's a place for you here. The best national security solutions come from interdisciplinary teams that understand both the technology and the mission.

⚙

Real Problems

Tackle challenge tracks designed with input from defense and intelligence professionals. Build tools that could actually be deployed.

★

Top Mentors

Get guidance from engineers and leaders at defense tech companies, national security agencies, and top AI labs.

⚡

API Access

Sponsored API credits from OpenAI and other partners. Build with cutting-edge models and tools at no cost.

🏆

Prizes & Recruiting

Compete for cash prizes and get direct exposure to hiring teams at leading defense technology companies.

Schedule

April 17–19, 2026

3 days of building, learning, and competing. Schedule subject to change.

◆ National Landing Experience Center — 241 18th St S, Arlington, VA 22202

Fri Apr 17 — 3:00pm
Post-Conference Reception
Georgetown University. Pre-hackathon reception for conference attendees.
Fri Apr 17 — 5:00pm
Doors Open & Check-In
National Innovation Quarter. Badge pickup and networking.
Fri Apr 17 — 6:00pm
Welcome & Opening
Welcome by organizers, hackathon overview, and presentation of problem statements.
Fri Apr 17 — 7:00pm
Meta Workshop
Workshop presentation from Meta.
Fri Apr 17 — 7:30pm
Team Formation & Hacking Begins
Form your team, finalize your track, and start building. Open networking throughout.
Fri Apr 17 — 9:00pm
Venue Closes
End of Day 1. Return Saturday morning to continue building.
Sat Apr 18 — 9:00am
Day 2 — Hacking Continues
Mentor office hours begin. Mentors, operators, and sponsors available on the floor throughout the day.
Sat Apr 18 — 9:30pm
Venue Closes
End of Day 2. Return Sunday to finish strong.
Sun Apr 19 — 12:00pm
End of Hacking
Code freeze. Submit your project and demo deck.
Sun Apr 19 — 12:30pm
Demo Day & Judging
Open to registered visitors. Teams present live demos to a panel of judges.
Sun Apr 19 — 2:00pm
Award Ceremony
Winners announced.
Sun Apr 19 — 2:30pm
Closing & Networking
Wrap up, celebrate, and connect with fellow builders, mentors, and sponsors.
FAQ

Questions

Who can participate?

The event is open to the broader DC area national security community — professionals, researchers, and students alike. We especially encourage participation from builders across the DC metro area. All backgrounds welcome: engineers, policy experts, operators, and domain specialists.

Do I need a team?

You can register as an individual or with a team of up to 4. We'll have team formation activities at the start for individuals. Cross-university teams are encouraged.

What should I bring?

Your laptop, charger, and any hardware you want to hack with. A government ID for check-in.

Is it free?

Yes. Registration and API credits are free thanks to our sponsors.

What about intellectual property?

You own everything you build. All projects will be open-sourced and posted publicly on GitHub at the end of the hackathon.

Ready to Build the Future of National Security?

Applications are open for cracked builders in the DC area. Space is limited.

Apply Now →