Locate Isolated People
Determine position quickly when infrastructure is unavailable — no reliable GPS, no cell network, no fixed comms.
Operation Lost and Found
Code Metal ForgeHackathon 2026
Forget the typical hackathon. Build alongside Special Operations Forces, first responders, academics, and deep tech innovators to solve a real-world search and rescue challenge.
Sponsored byU.S. Special Operations Command
DatesNov 6–8, 2026
LocationBASE-X · Boston, MA
Prize Pool$18,000
FormatSat → Sun sprint
T-Minus to Reception // Fri 6 Nov · 17:00 EST
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Days
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Hours
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Mins
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Secs
Nov 6 · Fri5:00 PMReception opens — check-in for VIPs, speakers & judges
Nov 7 · Sat10:00 AMHackathon begins — hard start on the build floor
Nov 8 · Sun12:00 PMSubmissions close — hard cutoff, demos follow
The Mission // Operation Lost and Found
When infrastructure fails, responders need a faster way to reach isolated people.
RF CommunicationsSensingResilient Info-SharingEdge Compute
A hiker goes missing in the backcountry. A wildfire forces a community to evacuate. In moments like these, minutes matter — and the tools first responders depend on cannot fail exactly when they're needed most.
These are disadvantaged, asymmetric environments: degraded, inaccessible, or cut off from normal infrastructure. They're the places where radio-frequency communications, sensing, and resilient information sharing make the difference.
The goal: turn uncertainty into a faster, safer path home.
The 2026 Challenge
Search & Rescue in Dangerous Environments
How can responders locate, identify, and rescue isolated people in dangerous, inaccessible, or rapidly changing environments? Four objectives frame the weekend.
Detect Life & Hazards
Search for heat, motion, and sound. Identify emerging hazards — gas, structural risk, and other threats to responders.
Map Changing Conditions
Maintain a shared operating picture as fire, weather, water, and terrain shift across the operation.
Deliver Critical Information
Move actionable information to responders despite degraded or overloaded communications channels.
Outcomes & Evaluation
$18,000 prize pool
The weekend ends with working prototypes judged against real mission needs. With experts from defense, emergency response, academia, and deep tech, this is your chance to prove what you can build when minutes matter — and compete alongside some of the brightest minds working on hard problems in the real world.
01
First Place
$10,000
Grand Prize
02
Second Place
$5,000
Runner-Up
03
Third Place
$3,000
Third
Evaluated On
Mission relevance
Evaluated On
A working live demonstration
Evaluated On
Deployability
Every Hacker Gets
- Custom limited-edition T-shirt
- Custom water bottle
- Custom sling backpack
- Limited-edition challenge coin
- Your moment to build something the world can't ignore
Build to Win. Build Your Future.
The winning team will earn an exclusive opportunity to meet with Code Metal leadership. University participants on the winning team automatically receive an internship interview.
It's a chance to take your work beyond the hackathon and join a team operating at the forefront of provable AI, edge computing, and mission-critical technology, building systems for some of the world's most demanding environments.
Venue, Equipment & Resources
BASE-X — the command center for deep technology
Where capital, strategy and connections meet invention under one roof, at the epicenter of Boston.
42.36030° N · 71.05880° W // Downtown
BASE-X
60 State Street, Suite 1400Boston, MA 02109
- 25,000 sq ft floorOver 200 operator workstations
- Full catering kitchenOn-site meals served throughout the build
- Presentation & demo areaLive demonstrations on the final day
- Lounge areas throughoutSpace to reset across the 25k sq ft floor
Mission Resources Provided
Hackers will have access to
- Embedded computing & microcontroller platforms
- Software-defined radio & wireless systems
- Imaging, thermal & environmental sensors
- Electronics, debugging & test equipment
Expert Mentorship
Direct access to specialists from Defense, Deep Tech, and Code Metal — on the floor and embedded with teams throughout the build.
The Agenda // How the Weekend Runs
Three days, one mission
From reception and mission framing on Friday to live demonstrations and awards on Sunday.
DAY 01FRI6 Nov · Reception
17:00–20:00
Opening reception & fireside chat
Kick off the weekend with hors d'oeuvres and networking, a welcome from Code Metal and USSOCOM, and a fireside chat.
DAY 02SAT7 Nov · The Build
08:00
Check-in & kickoff
Grab your badge, find your team station, and get the challenge brief. Opening remarks set the mission for the weekend.
10:00
Heads-down build
The clock starts. Build with mentor office hours running all day, and meals served right on the floor.
Overnight
Continuous build
Keep going as long as you want. The venue stays open overnight with on-call technical and security support.
DAY 03SUN8 Nov · Judging
Morning
Final integration
Push through the last build hours and lock in your submission before the midday cutoff.
12:00
Submission & review
Pencils down. Judges dig into every entry as teams present live demonstrations of what they've built.
16:30
Deliberation & close
Judges deliberate, winners are announced, and the weekend closes with the final ceremony.
Participants & Contributions // Open by Application
The Mission Depends on You
The outcome is only as strong as the people who step forward. Builders, operators, mentors, judges, sponsors, and mission partners all have a role in what gets built and how far it goes.
Choose your role. Join the mission. Help determine the outcome.
Join the ChallengeHackers
Build during an overnight sprint
University teams and individual technologists build, demonstrate, and document prototypes alongside Special Forces operators.
Operator Mentors
Mission realism
Special Forces operators provide mission context, user feedback, operational realism, and rapid validation.
Technical Mentors
Systems integration
Help teams work through sensing, communications, autonomy, and embedded and ML challenges.
Judges
Live evaluation
Evaluate live demonstrations against a common mission and technical rubric.
Technology Partners
Kits & compute
Provide developer kits, sensors, edge compute, communications equipment, and engineering support.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Still have questions? Hit us up at forge@codemetal.ai. We'll keep this page updated as new details drop.
Is there a cost to participate?
Nope. Applying and participating are completely free. If you’re selected, we’ll provide meals, hook you up with awesome swag, and take care of the on-site experience. You just need to get yourself to the event and we’ll handle the rest.
Is my application to participate as a Hacker automatically approved?
Not automatically — but don't let that stop you from applying. We're bringing together an awesome group of talented, curious, and ambitious hackers, and we want to hear from you.
Applications are reviewed and approved on a rolling basis, so the earlier you apply, the better. If you're selected, you'll be joining a seriously impressive crew ready to build, compete, and show what they can do.
Application deadline: October 5. Think you've got what it takes? Throw your hat in the ring.
When and where is Code Metal Forge?
Nov 6–8th at BASE-X, 60 State Street, Suite 1400, Boston, MA 02109.
Will food and drink be served?
YES! From the Friday night reception through the Sunday awards, we provide breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and drinks — so you never have to leave the build.
Is this event online or in-person?
In-person only. The Code Metal Forge Hackathon runs November 6–8 at BASE-X in Boston, and the collaboration, mentorship, and live demos are the heart of the event.
Do I need a team to apply to participate?
No — solo applicants are welcome. If you're accepted without a team, you'll be matched with one at the team-building session Saturday morning. Already have a team? List your teammates on your application and we'll keep you together (up to four people).
How many people can be on a team?
Teams can have up to four members. If you're applying as a team, please list your teammates' names (and emails) in your application so we can review you together and keep you together.
Applications Open // Nov 6–8
Answer the Challenge
Applications are now open for November 6–8. Step into the challenge — build for the warfighter and the first responder.
Registration & ticketing handled securely via Gatsby Events →