Enter These Hardware Contests Now

Turn your ideas into cash. These contests are open to everyone, not just students.

Arduino Maker Challenge

The dev board maker's contest has been extended to the end of the month. You could win one of the one thousand Arduino and Genuino MKR1000s and a fully-funded (up to $1,500) trip to Maker Faire Shenzhen, New York, Bay Area or Rome, a chance to present your creation at the Microsoft and the Arduino & Genuino booths, a professional video production of you and your creation, and a whopping $500 gift certificate to Adafruit. Entries close on January 31, 2016.

InfyMakers Awards Contest

With categories for both adults and kids, the InfyMakers contest offers $10,000 for projects that make a positive impact on the world. The contest is sponsored by InfoSys and is supported by the US White House. To score the money, have an innovative solution to a real-world problem and pair it with a fantastic presentation. Entries are closed on February 1, 2016.

Spacex Hyperloop Pod Design Competition

This competition takes place at Texas A&M on January 29-30th, 2016. The Hyperloop, a high-speed ground transport concept first proposed by SpaceX and Tesla Motors co-founder Elon Musk in 2013, isn't yet a reality, but the competition aims to make it one. Teams can present their ideas to a panel of judges while enjoying a weekend of drones and transportation concepts.

NASA's Sky for All: Air Mobility for 2035 and Beyond Challenge

NASA's challenge encourages entrants to think of innovative designs for an airspace system that allows vehicles to safely and efficiently navigate dense and diverse airspace. They're especially looking for unique technology. The deadline is February 26th, 2016, and the winner receives $15,000.

AlphaLab Gear's Hardware Cup 

Alpha Lab Gear's contest is aimed at helping startups with physical products. The grand prize of the Cup wins $50,000 to invest in their hardware startup. Other finalists can also receive money and prizes. The application can be accessed here. Deadlines vary by city.

SeedStudio's BeagleBone Green IoT Contest

Submit a green IoT design idea for a chance to win hefty prizes. Entries close February 22, 2016. Prizes include a paid trip to Maker Faire Shenzhen 2016 ($3,000), a $900 SeeedStudio Store coupon, and a Designed for Manufacturing Review.

Power Without Boundaries

Sponsored by IDT Wireless Power, the contest is accepting design ideas for inductive power. The winner will receive a Samsung Galaxy Note5 and a Samsung Gear S2. Submissions close on February 26, 2016.

Particle's IoT Star Wars Contest

Submit an interesting, fun, Star Wars-related hardware project and win some pretty fantastic prizes. Even entering the challenge gets you a 20% off coupon to the Particle store. The contest closes on ends on Feb 12, 2016.