Welcome to Jewel City Hacks — A Vision in Action

Join the Official Jewel City Hacks Discord!

The City of Glendale is committed to nurturing a thriving, innovation-driven economy, and Jewel City Hacks is a vibrant milestone in that journey.

Since the adoption of the Glendale Tech Strategy in 2017—a forward-thinking roadmap to grow the city’s tech sector—the city has made significant strides in building a homegrown ecosystem that supports technology, creativity, and entrepreneurship. Learn more about Glendale's growing tech sector.

 

Building on Past Successes

  • Launch of innovation platforms: The City has invested in accelerators and startup programs—like Hero House, KidsX, and growth programs powered by FoundersBoost—to cultivate a home‑grown pipeline of tech founders and startups.

  • Growing the local ecosystem: Initiatives such as Glendale Tech Week, Tech on Tap networking events, and Coworking space partnerships have drawn thousands of innovators to Glendale, strengthening connections and fueling startup growth.

  • Positioning as a regional hub: Glendale has emerged as the “tech jewel” of Northeast L.A.—home to leading companies like LegalZoom, ServiceTitan, and Age of Learning—anchoring the city’s growing reputation as a SoCal innovation hotspot.

See: Glendale Tech Week: Strengthening the City’s Position as a Growing Tech Hub to learn more.

 

Why Jewel City Hacks Matters

Jewel City Hacks furthers this mission by inviting innovators—students, builders, and early‑stage entrepreneurs—to design, prototype, and pitch impactful technologies in a one‑day hackathon right here in Glendale.

Through this event, the City aims to:

  • Empower local inventors: Provide hands-on mentorship, creative space, and collaborative energy.

  • Spark future ventures: Help transform ideas into scalable B2B and B2C solutions.

  • Advance Glendale's tech strategy: Strengthen the city’s innovation pipeline—supported by public and private partners—to drive economic growth and community impact.

Together, Jewel City Hacks is more than a hackathon—it’s a community commitment to invent, inspire, and invest in progress, in Glendale.

 

Tools & Technologies

At Jewel City Hacks, we equip you with more than inspiration — we give you the tools to build.

Whether you're prototyping software, experimenting with hardware, or pushing the limits of immersive experiences, you'll have access to cutting-edge technology and hands-on support throughout the event.

 

Hardware Available:

  • VR Headsets – Dive into virtual environments and create immersive experiences

  • Arduino Microcontrollers – Build interactive hardware projects and IoT prototypes

 

Software & Platforms:

  • Open access to developer tools, APIs, and SDKs provided by our sponsors and partners

  • No-code/low-code platforms for those without programming backgrounds

  • Optional toolkits for AI, data visualization, cloud services, and mobile app development

 

Support & Mentorship:

  • On-site mentors to help with coding, debugging, hardware integration, and business modeling

  • Workshops covering everything from design thinking to pitching your prototype

Bring your laptop if you'd like. We will have computers available for use on-site! 

Whether you're writing code, wiring sensors, or crafting a new reality, Jewel City Hacks gives you the playground to prototype, test, and build something amazing.

Let us know your tool requests early so we can have them ready at check-in!

 

Contact Us & Support

Have a question? Need tech help during the hackathon? We’ve got you covered.

Whether you're troubleshooting your code, looking for a teammate, or wondering where the snacks are — our team is here to support you every step of the way.

During the Hackathon:

  • Help Desk: Visit the on-site Help Desk at the check-in area for immediate assistance

  • Mentor Support: Mentors will be available all day — look for staff wearing character costumes or hats, or visit the Mentor Station.

  • Slack Channel / Discord: Join our official community chat for real-time updates, mentor requests, and announcements (link shared upon registration)

 

General Inquiries:

 

Stay Connected:

  • Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn for updates, highlights, and behind-the-scenes moments.

If you need anything, just ask. We're here to make sure your hackathon experience is fun, inspiring, and fully supported.