LAYOVER
Build around
travel.
200 students, one overnight build, zero fixed problem statements. Make something around travel (useful, weird, or gloriously pointless) and demo it by sunrise.
CCJKozhikode
DXBDubai
Venue: TinkerSpace Calicut
TinkerHub Apply via App
One overall winner
gets a Dubai Trip
200StudentsBuilding overnight
6PM–6AMOvernight buildOne straight run
≤2Per teamSolo or duos
FREEEntry, alwaysNo fees, ever
DXBGrand prize dest.Winner's trip
Overview
One theme. No rulebook.
LAYOVER is an overnight student hackathon at TinkerSpace Calicut, bringing together up to 200 students to build something, anything, around the theme of travel. Software, hardware, AI, games, experiments, or something completely unnecessary but fun.
There's no requirement to solve a real-world problem or become a business. The only expectation: something gets built and demonstrated by the end of the night. Teams check in from 5:00 PM, build from 6:00 PM straight through to 6:00 AM, and present to judges as the sun comes up.
“
A weird travel-themed gadget can score just as high as a practical travel app, as long as travel is the actual point of the build, not a word tacked on afterward.
On the “Travel Connection” judging criterion
What can you build
No fixed problem statement, no tech restrictions.
Pick a lane below, ignore all of them, or invent your own, as long as travel is genuinely at the core of it.
01Travel utilities & tools
02AI-powered travel experiences
03Navigation & mobility
04Local experiences & discovery
05Travel hardware & IoT
06Games & interactive experiences
07Accessibility & sustainable travel
08Experimental ideas
09Something useless but brilliant
✉ Only rule: build it, and demo it, before 9:30 AM.
Event format
The full itinerary.
Date
10–11 October 2026
Venue
TinkerSpace Calicut
Check-in
5:00 PM onwards
Hackathon
6:00 PM – 6:00 AM
Judging & presentations
7:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Participants
Up to 200 students
Team format
Individual or max 2 members
Build
Hardware / Software / AI
Participation
Free
Prize
One overall winner: Dubai trip, full team covered
How it works
One overnight flight, four legs.
5:00 PM
Check-in & setup at TinkerSpace Calicut.
6:00 PM
Hackathon begins: teams start building.
6 PM–6 AM
Teams build through the night; mentors circulate.
7:00 AM
Judging & final presentations begin.
Judging structure
Two rounds, so every team gets seen.
Judging happens in two rounds to make sure nobody runs out of time, and every project gets in front of a judge at least once.
ROUND 1
Demo booths
Science-fair style. Judges walk the floor, see every project, and nominate their top picks.
7:00–8:00 AM
SHORTLIST
~20 finalists announced
Nominated teams pool into a shortlist. Everyone else can relax, pack up, or watch round two.
8:00–8:15 AM
ROUND 2
Finalist presentations
Each finalist gets a dedicated ~2-minute slot to pitch and demo to the full judge panel.
8:15–9:00 AM
FINAL CALL
Deliberation & prize
Judges deliberate and announce the one overall winner, plus the Dubai trip.
9:00–9:30 AM
Scored out of 50 marks
Total50 marks
Travel Connection isn't about usefulness. Since projects don't need to solve a real travel problem, this criterion checks whether travel is genuinely core to the idea, even if the build itself is silly or "useless." The overall focus stays on what you build and demonstrate, never on business potential.
Prize & opportunities
One winner. More than one way to be noticed.
Grand prize
Dubai Trip
For the winning team: top 2 people, fully covered, no fine print.
CCJKozhikode
DXBDubai
Beyond the trophy
Standout participants, picked for creativity, technical skill, or sheer ability to build, may be considered for internship opportunities and referrals, even outside the winning team. Bring your best work regardless of the scoreboard.
Road to LAYOVER
What happens before the 10th.
19 Sep
Registrations openFirst poster goes live. Apply anytime via the TinkerHub app.
6 Oct
Registrations closeLast call to apply via the TinkerHub app.
7 Oct
Shortlisting & agenda sentConfirmed participants get the full run-of-night.
10 Oct, 5 PM
Check-in & hackathonDoors open, building starts at 6 PM.
11 Oct, 7–9:30 AM
Judging & prizeTwo rounds, one winner, one Dubai trip.
25 Oct
Post-eventWinner recap, after-movie, and internship outreach to standout builders.
FAQ
Everything you're wondering.
Eligibility, teams, building, and the night itself, answered.
Who can participate?
LAYOVER is open to community members aged 15–25. Working professionals are not eligible for this community participation.
Can I participate alone?
Yes. You can apply individually or as a team of up to 2 members.
How will participants be shortlisted?
This is a limited community opportunity. Active participation in the TinkerHub community and your profile/activity on the TinkerHub app will be considered during shortlisting.
Do I need to already have a team?
No. You can apply individually and find a teammate before the event.
What do I need to build?
Anything around travel. It could be an app, AI project, hardware prototype, game, IoT project, interactive experience, or something completely experimental.
Is there a fixed problem statement?
No. There is only one broad theme: travel. You decide what to build.
Are there any technology restrictions?
No. Use software, hardware, AI, electronics, or a combination of them.
Does it have to solve a real travel problem?
No. It can be useful, weird, playful, experimental, or completely unnecessary. The only requirement is that travel is genuinely connected to your idea.
Do I need to be good at coding?
No. You can participate with whatever skills you have. The focus is on building and experimenting.
How long do we get to build?
The hackathon runs from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Check-in starts at 5:00 PM.
What happens after the build?
Projects will be demonstrated and judged from 7:00 AM to 9:30 AM in two rounds.
How will projects be judged?
Projects are scored out of 50 marks across what was built, creativity, travel connection, execution, and demo experience.
What is the prize?
The overall winning team gets a fully covered Dubai trip for up to 2 people.
Is participation free?
Yes. There is no participation fee.
Can I use AI tools?
Yes. AI tools are completely allowed.
Can I bring my own hardware?
Yes. Bring your own laptop, components, hardware, and other tools you need for your project.
Can I work on an existing project?
The expectation is that you build and make meaningful progress during the hackathon. Your final project should be demonstrable by the end of the event.
What should I bring?
Bring your laptop, charger, hardware/components you need, and anything else required for your build. And be ready for an overnight build.
Will food be provided?
Yes. Food and refreshments will be arranged during the overnight event.
When and where is LAYOVER?
10–11 October 2026 at TinkerSpace Calicut, Kozhikode.
Check-in: 5:00 PM · Build: 6:00 PM–6:00 AM · Judging: 7:00 AM–9:30 AM
Check-in: 5:00 PM · Build: 6:00 PM–6:00 AM · Judging: 7:00 AM–9:30 AM