Reality Hack at MIT 2026 Special Tracks

Founders Lab Prize Track

Supported by Cognitive 3D

Formerly known as “The Startup Hack”, Reality Hack Founders Lab has been a pre-incubator initiative empowering Reality Hackers to become startup founders building a sustainable and equitable future for all. Beyond the Hack, Reality Hack for Startups operates as a year-round ecosystem for incorporated startups. 

For this upcoming January Hack, we’re pleased to say that all Reality Hack @ MIT participants will gain access to curated resources and targeted workshops to refine real-world applications for their experiential technology. They will have the option to submit their project for the Founders Lab Moonshot prize - awarding excellence in concept validation and presentation. Moonshot winners will be selected to pitch their project on stage at the Reality Hack Closing Ceremony and be eligible for a cash award sponsored by Cognitive 3D.

What experience do I need?

  • No specific experience is required! The RH Founders Lab was created to build YOU into a leader - whether with your specific hack project today, or another experiential tech company tomorrow.

Are we still participating in the main hack, and thus eligible to compete in any of the other hackathon tracks?

  • Yep! 

How much extra work is involved?

  • In order to be considered for the Founders Lab prize, you will need to submit a pitch deck and a very short pitch video on the last day of hacking. These submissions are in addition to what your team will provide for the main judging.

Will I be accepted into Reality Hack for Startups?

  • No, that is a year round initiative for incorporated startups and necessitates a separate review and acceptance process.

Immersion League Continuity Track

Reality Hack has joined forces with Immerse the Bay and HarvardXR to pilot the Immersion League Continuity Track. This is a dedicated track that allows hackers to carry projects across multiple hackathons within the same year cycle beginning with Immerse the Bay and ending with HarvardXR.

In this track, you’ll be allowed to build on your existing project from a past Reality Hack or Immerse the Bay submission and turbo charge it to the next level while taking advantage of the hackathon environment. Entry is by application only in our pilot year. Deadline to apply: January 7, 2026

Will entering the Continuity Track allow the project to be eligible for other hackathon tracks?

  • If you decide to enter the Continuity Track, you will only be eligible to compete within the Continuity Track. You can enter other tracks but only be eligible to receive Honorable Mentions. Honorable Mentions are track dependent and may not have any prizes attached except for recognition.

Does my entire original team have to be present?

  • No, you must have a minimum of 2 original members present.

Will my team be guaranteed a spot in this track?

  • As this is our pilot year, we will only be accepting a limited number of teams to this track.

Once I apply, when will I hear back?

  • We’ll review applications up to the deadline of January 7, 2026. All decisions will be released by January 11, 2026.

What happens if we’re not accepted?

  • If your Immersion League Continuity Track application is not accepted, you’ll still be able to participate in Reality Hack as a hacker as normal.

Will our team receive extra support from sponsors?

  • If your team is selected to participate, we’ll notify the appropriate sponsors (if they’re present at Reality Hack) that their hardware/software is being used in this track. You’ll receive the same support as all other RH participants.

Where can I apply?