Critical Ops: A DC National Security Hackathon
About this event
Building for National Security Starts Here
Join 100+ engineers, builders, and operators for the DC National Security Hackathon on April 17–19, 2026 in the nations capital.
Goal
Bring together builders, government stakeholders, and investors to work on real-world national security challenges.
This is about moving from ideas to prototypes to real deployment pathways.
What You’ll Do
Work on problem sets sourced from operators across:
🚁 Autonomy & Counter-UAS📦 Contested Logistics🛡 Cybersecurity & Critical Infrastructure🧬 Biotechnology🤖 AI Agents
Build anything from software and AI systems to hardware-enabled solutions.
What You’ll Get
Access to frontier AI tools & Datasets (OpenAI, Meta, and ElevenLabs)Direct feedback from operators and domain expertsA high-signal community of buildersExposure to venture capital and national security leaders
Demo Day
Curious what gets built? Join us on Sunday for live demos and judging.
Agenda
Friday, April 17, 2026
Kick-off Day
15:00 - 16:30 - Post-Conference Reception (Georgetown University)
17:00 - Doors open, Check-in, Networking (National Innovation Quarter)
18:00 - Welcome by Organizers, Overview of Hackathon
18:30 - Presentation of Problem Statements
19:00 - Meta Workshop Presentation
19:30 - Team Formation, Open Networking, Start of Hacking
21:00 - Venue closes for the evening
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Hacking continues all day
09:00 - Mentor Office Hours Begin
(Mentors, operators, and sponsors available throughout the day)
Sunday, April 19, 2026
12:00 - End of Hacking
Demo Day (Open to Registered Visitors)
12:30 - Project Demonstrations & Judging
14:00 - Award Ceremony
14:30 - Closing & NetworkingDiscord With More Information Coming Soon
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About Critical Ops: A DC National Security Hackathon in Arlington
Critical Ops: A DC National Security Hackathon is a free independent taking place on Friday, April 17, 2026 at Arlington. Attendance is free — register to secure your spot. The event runs for approximately 45 hours.
Critical Ops: A DC National Security Hackathon — key details
- Date:
- Friday, April 17, 2026
- Time:
- 9:00 PM – 6:00 PM (America/New_York)
- Duration:
- 45 hours
- Location:
- Arlington
- Price:
- Free
- Format:
- In-person
What to expect at Critical Ops: A DC National Security Hackathon
Join this independent over 45 hours for an engaging session of learning, discussion, and networking with fellow attendees.
Who should attend Critical Ops: A DC National Security Hackathon?
This independent in Arlington is ideal for:
- developers and engineers looking to build and prototype
- students interested in hands-on coding challenges
- AI and machine learning enthusiasts and practitioners
- cybersecurity professionals and information security enthusiasts
Why attend?
- Free to attend — no financial commitment required
Arlington event — April 2026
This evening independent is part of the growing events scene in Arlington. Whether you're based in Arlington or visiting for the independent, it's a great opportunity to connect with the local community. Browse more upcoming events in Arlington on Rifio.
Topics and categories
Critical Ops: A DC National Security Hackathon covers topics including AI, Tech. Find similar events by browsing these topics on Rifio.
Frequently asked questions about Critical Ops: A DC National Security Hackathon
- When is Critical Ops: A DC National Security Hackathon?
- Critical Ops: A DC National Security Hackathon takes place on Friday, April 17, 2026 from 9:00 PM to 6:00 PM (America/New_York).
- Where is Critical Ops: A DC National Security Hackathon held?
- Critical Ops: A DC National Security Hackathon takes place at Arlington.
- How much does Critical Ops: A DC National Security Hackathon cost?
- Critical Ops: A DC National Security Hackathon is free to attend. Register on the event page to secure your spot.
- How do I register for Critical Ops: A DC National Security Hackathon?
- You can register for Critical Ops: A DC National Security Hackathon through the original event page on Luma. Click the "View on Luma" button above, or save it to your Rifio account to get reminders.
- How long is Critical Ops: A DC National Security Hackathon?
- Critical Ops: A DC National Security Hackathon runs for approximately 45 hours, from 9:00 PM to 6:00 PM (America/New_York).