IF '25

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IF '25

Register

IF '25

Register

Idea Forge
2025

13th September 2025

13th September 2025

A WAForge Hackathon @ San Fransisco

Register

Register

Devpost

Devpost

A bit about us & WAForge

A bit about us & WAForge

IdeaForge 2025: A one-day WAForge IoT hackathon in San Francisco, where students innovate with ESP32 and other hardware to create real-world impact. From smart devices to connected solutions, participants will design, prototype, and showcase projects that bridge creativity and technology. Compete for a place in the Catalyst program—WAForge’s student accelerator—and transform your bold idea into a tangible solution with mentorship, resources, and a community of makers by your side.

IdeaForge 2025: A one-day WAForge IoT hackathon in San Francisco, where students innovate with ESP32 and other hardware to create real-world impact. From smart devices to connected solutions, participants will design, prototype, and showcase projects that bridge creativity and technology. Compete for a place in the Catalyst program—WAForge’s student accelerator—and transform your bold idea into a tangible solution with mentorship, resources, and a community of makers by your side.

IdeaForge 2025: A one-day WAForge IoT hackathon in San Francisco, where students innovate with ESP32 and other hardware to create real-world impact. From smart devices to connected solutions, participants will design, prototype, and showcase projects that bridge creativity and technology. Compete for a place in the Catalyst program—WAForge’s student accelerator—and transform your bold idea into a tangible solution with mentorship, resources, and a community of makers by your side.

Idea Forge 2025

IdeaForge

IdeaForge

A WaForge Hackathon

Welcome to Idea Forge 2025, San Francisco’s premier software hackathon. This event is all about bringing together innovators, developers, and problem-solvers to push the boundaries of what’s possible with technology. Participants will design, build, and showcase impactful projects — from AI-powered apps to tools that improve sustainability, education, and community engagement.

Our mission is to create a space where creativity meets code — where students, hobbyists, and professionals can collaborate, learn, and prototype the next generation of software solutions.

Join us in San Francisco to code, brainstorm, and bring your ideas to life. No matter your skill level, you’ll find teammates, mentors, and resources to help forge your vision into reality.

About WAForge: WAForge is a hackathon founded by high schoolers. It provides a platform for young developers, to connect, learn, and showcase their talents. WAForge organizes events like Hackforges to foster innovation and help aspiring developers build impactful projects. WAForge also offers programs like Catalyst to help student developers take their projects to market, providing marketing, financial, and development aid. The ultimate vision is to be the premier platform for young talent across America, fostering a vibrant community of tech enthusiasts dedicated to making a difference through their ideas and creations.

Workshops

Workshops

Guest Speakers

Guest Speakers

IdeaForge Team

IdeaForge Team

Workshops

Workshops

21st - 23rd August (06:00 PM - 07:00 PM)

21st - 23rd August (06:00 PM - 07:00 PM)

Hands-on, immersive workshops spanning three days — led by creatives pushing boundaries in design, tech, and space. Learn by doing, building, and collaborating in these in-depth studio sessions.

Vibecode 101

How to Vibecode

Vibecode 101

Cursor AI, Lovable

How to Vibecode

Vibecode 101

Cursor AI, Lovable

How to Vibecode

Guest Speakers

Guest Speakers

21st - 23rd August (06:00 PM - 07:00 PM)

21st - 23rd August (06:00 PM - 07:00 PM)

Talks and seminars from some of the most influential minds in design. Sharp insights, bold questions, and fresh thinking, delivered over an hour of brilliance.

Sana Kazi

Designing for Emotional Intelligence

Sana Kazi

Design Futurist, Oracle

Designing for Emotional Intelligence

Sana Kazi

Design Futurist, Oracle

Designing for Emotional Intelligence

Chris Bello

City-Scale UX

Chris Bello

Urban Designer, Sidewalk Labs

City-Scale UX

Chris Bello

Urban Designer, Sidewalk Labs

City-Scale UX

Daniel Ortez

Speculative Systems

Daniel Ortez

Strategic Designer, UNDP

Speculative Systems

Daniel Ortez

Strategic Designer, UNDP

Speculative Systems

Idea Forge Team

Idea Forge Team

The Idea Forge 2025 Team

Pranauv Muthuraman

WAForge President

Pranauv Muthuraman

AR Interaction Designer, Snap

WAForge President

Pranauv Muthuraman

AR Interaction Designer, Snap

WAForge President

Itinerary

13 September 2025

09:00 AM

Show up @ Venue

09:00 AM

Show up @ Venue

09:00 AM

Show up @ Venue

09:45 AM

Opening Ceremony

09:45 AM

Opening Ceremony

09:45 AM

Opening Ceremony

10:00 AM

Keynote by Dr. Elwell – "Designing for Uncertainty"

10:00 AM

Keynote by Dr. Elwell – "Designing for Uncertainty"

10:00 AM

Keynote by Dr. Elwell – "Designing for Uncertainty"

11:00 AM

Refreshment Break + Mingle Zone

11:00 AM

Refreshment Break + Mingle Zone

11:00 AM

Refreshment Break + Mingle Zone

11:30 AM – 5:30 PM

StudioLabs (Attendees must choose one of the parallel sessions)

11:30 AM – 5:30 PM

StudioLabs (Attendees must choose one of the parallel sessions)

11:30 AM – 5:30 PM

StudioLabs (Attendees must choose one of the parallel sessions)

5:30 PM

Refreshment Break + Mingle Zone

5:30 PM

Refreshment Break + Mingle Zone

5:30 PM

Refreshment Break + Mingle Zone

06:00 PM

ThinkStream Talk #1: Sana Kazi – "Designing for Emotional Intelligence"

06:00 PM

ThinkStream Talk #1: Sana Kazi – "Designing for Emotional Intelligence"

06:00 PM

ThinkStream Talk #1: Sana Kazi – "Designing for Emotional Intelligence"

07:00 PM

Wrap-Up + Social Hour (Live Sketch Wall + Vinyl DJ Set)

07:00 PM

Wrap-Up + Social Hour (Live Sketch Wall + Vinyl DJ Set)

07:00 PM

Wrap-Up + Social Hour (Live Sketch Wall + Vinyl DJ Set)

21 Aug (Thu)

21 Aug (Thu)

09:00 AM

Breakfast & Coffee + Design Bingo Card Game

09:00 AM

Breakfast & Coffee + Design Bingo Card Game

09:00 AM

Breakfast & Coffee + Design Bingo Card Game

10:00 AM – 01:00 PM

StudioLabs (Day 2)

10:00 AM – 01:00 PM

StudioLabs (Day 2)

10:00 AM – 01:00 PM

StudioLabs (Day 2)

01:00 PM

Designer’s Roundtable Lunch

01:00 PM

Designer’s Roundtable Lunch

01:00 PM

Designer’s Roundtable Lunch

02:00 PM – 05:00 PM

StudioLabs (cont.)

02:00 PM – 05:00 PM

StudioLabs (cont.)

02:00 PM – 05:00 PM

StudioLabs (cont.)

05:00 PM

Refreshment Break with Live Doodle Booth

05:00 PM

Refreshment Break with Live Doodle Booth

05:00 PM

Refreshment Break with Live Doodle Booth

06:00 PM

ThinkStream Talk #2: Chris Bello – "City-Scale UX"

06:00 PM

ThinkStream Talk #2: Chris Bello – "City-Scale UX"

06:00 PM

ThinkStream Talk #2: Chris Bello – "City-Scale UX"

07:00 PM

Open Mic: 5-min Lightning Talks (Sign-up Sheet Available)

07:00 PM

Open Mic: 5-min Lightning Talks (Sign-up Sheet Available)

07:00 PM

Open Mic: 5-min Lightning Talks (Sign-up Sheet Available)

Prizes

Idea Forge 2025 Prizes

  • TBD

    Prizes TBD

    Prizes TBD

    Prizes TBD

    Prizes TBD

    Prizes TBD

  • TBD

    Prizes TBD

    Prizes TBD

    Prizes TBD

    Prizes TBD

    Prizes TBD

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out all the questions you might have regarding the event here. If your query is not mentioned here - Get in touch

Check out all the questions you might have regarding the event here. If your query is not mentioned here - Get in touch

Do I need to register in advance?
Do I need to register in advance?
Do I need to register in advance?
Can I attend multiple talks?
Can I attend multiple talks?
Can I attend multiple talks?
Are meals included in the pass?
Are meals included in the pass?
Are meals included in the pass?
Is this event beginner-friendly?
Is this event beginner-friendly?
Is this event beginner-friendly?
Will recordings be available later?
Will recordings be available later?
Will recordings be available later?
Can I switch my StudioLab later?
Can I switch my StudioLab later?
Can I switch my StudioLab later?

Look Back at Last Year

Look Back at Last Year

Move your cursor here to go through the highlights from the 2024 edition - immersive sessions, electric energy, and a community like no other.

Tap here to go through the highlights from the 2024 edition