// Hackathon 2026 · Race mode

CodeLap Hackathon

The race for innovation_

48 hours, two tracks and one thing at stake: who can turn an idea into a product that actually works, fastest.

  • 20 – 22 November 2026
  • Vivido Business Center, Cluj-Napoca
  • Porsche Engineering Romania & GDGoC TUCN
Rules Learn more
00. Countdown / Start line CodeLap
Hackathon
--Days
--Hours
--Minutes
--Seconds

Lights out in

Friday · 20.11.2026 · Cluj-Napoca

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01. About the event CodeLap
Hackathon

Ideas become code.
Code becomes impact.

CodeLap Hackathon 2026 is where caffeine, code and a few sleepless nights turn into a product that actually works.

14 student teams enter the race in Cluj-Napoca for three days, alongside mentors from the industry, to test their solutions in real conditions and take the stage in front of a jury. Two tracks to conquer and one thing at stake: who ships first, and ships something that works.

The race for innovation.

48hOf racing
14Teams on the grid
02Tracks
4Members / team
Porsche Engineering

Precision engineering, on the grid

Google Developer Group, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca

The community that connects developers

02. Topics

Choose your
track.

01

AI Drive

Focused on artificial intelligence-based technologies and applications, such as machine learning, computer vision, generative AI, intelligent assistants, data analytics, and other relevant solutions for the automotive industry.

machine learning / computer vision / generative AI

02

Data-Driven Infrastructure Engineering

Focused on using metadata to generate relevant insights and performance indicators, supporting the monitoring, analysis and improvement of a process or use case.

metadata / performance indicators / monitoring

03. Dates & schedule CodeLap
Hackathon

20 – 22 November 2026.

  1. 01

    Opening & workshops

    Friday · 20 Nov

    • Start of the day (enter the building)
    • Registration + team check-in
    • Networking
    • Health & safety + opening ceremony
    • Workshops (both tracks in parallel)
    • Dinner break
    • Initial brainstorming + coding session
    • End of the day (exit the building)
    • Online coding session
  2. 02

    Build day

    Saturday · 21 Nov

    • Online coding session
    • Start of the day (enter the building)
    • Coding session
    • Lunch break
    • Coding session
    • Dinner break
    • Coding session
    • End of the day (exit the building)
    • Online coding session
  3. 03

    Finals & awards

    Sunday · 22 Nov

    • Online coding session
    • Start of the day (enter the building)
    • Final coding session
    • Lunch break
    • Code submission deadline
    • Final check-up + presentation prep
    • Project presentations + live demos
    • Jury deliberation
    • Prize ceremony + final speech
    • Networking session
    • End of the day (exit the building)
Official rules

The race for innovation.
48 hours. Two tracks. One thing at stake.

The race for innovation.

Cluj-Napoca / 2026

04. Location CodeLap
Hackathon

Where the race happens.

Vivido Business Center

Porsche Engineering Romania
Strada Alexandru Vaida Voevod 16
400592 Cluj-Napoca

Dates
20 – 22 Nov 2026
Host
Porsche Engineering Romania
City
Cluj-Napoca
Open in Google Maps
05. Prizes

In every
category.

P1

1st Prize

Both tracks

Gadgets and promotional items for the winners of each track.

HM

Honourable Mention

Both tracks

Promotional items for the second-placed team of each track.

M

Mentors

Mentors support the teams for the whole hackathon.

The total estimated value of the prizes is €4,000. Prizes are handed over in person to the winners at the ceremony on 22 November.

06. Rules

Competition rules.

Code of conduct, equipment care, fair play and judging criteria: all official CodeLap Hackathon 2026 rules are available in the full document.

Read the full rules
07. FAQ

Frequently
asked questions.

Eligibility

Who can participate?

CodeLap is open to UTCN and UBB students in their 3rd or 4th year of study, as well as those enrolled in Master's programmes.

What are the selection criteria?

Selection is made by a committee of Porsche Engineering Romania representatives, based on the information in the registration form and the participants' CVs. Motivation, experience, relevant skills and how well the team fits the chosen track are evaluated. Selection is made at team level.

Can we form a team with students from different universities or years of study?

Yes. Teams can include students from different universities and/or years of study, as long as all 4 members meet the eligibility criteria.

Schedule & logistics

When does registration start?

Registration runs from 19.10.2026 at 10:00 until 01.11.2026 at 23:59 (Romanian time).

Do I have to be on site for the whole hackathon?

Participants must be on site during the times set out in the official schedule. After 22:00, activity continues online and teams can work remotely.

What should I bring?

Bring your own laptop with a working webcam, plus any other equipment you think you'll need. We provide the workspace, a monitor for each team, internet access, meals, drinks and snacks.

Teams & participation

Can I take part if I don't have a team?

No. To register you need a complete team of 4, formed before the deadline. Each member registers individually, using the same team name and the same track.

What happens if a team member withdraws?

If a member can no longer take part, the team must inform the Organizers as soon as possible. The team can propose a replacement, who must be validated by the Organizers.

Competition

Can we start the project before the hackathon?

No. The challenge is announced at the start of the hackathon, and the competition solution must be developed exclusively during the hackathon.

Can we use existing libraries, frameworks, APIs or other resources?

Yes. Documentation, libraries, frameworks, APIs and other external resources may be used, in compliance with copyright and the applicable licences. At the request of the Organizers or the jury, the team must be able to list the resources it used.

How is the winning team decided?

Every project is evaluated against the same criteria: technical execution, presentation and demo, innovation and creativity, and relevance and impact. The team with the highest score in each track wins the 1st Prize.

Didn't find your answer? You'll find more details in the rules, or you can contact us at gdgoncampustucn@gmail.com or hackathon@porsche-engineering.ro.