GAIN HACK

Hacking starts 9/13
INNOVATORS Night 10/11
Award Ceremony 10/16

Build solutions that make entertainment in LA accessible to everyone.

We’re going to make AI, gaming, LA28 Olympics, and entertainment production more accessible to everyone who wants to come experience Los Angeles.

We have a hackerspace in the heart of Hollywood, networking for jobs and apprenticeships, and funding opportunities for prototypes that revolutionize the way Los Angeles can bridge the digital divide.

$350K+

in prize value

25+

schools invited

50+

mentors

Hosts

Community
Partners

HackerSpace

HackerSpace
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KEY EVENTS

Everything you need to know before joining us. Scroll down to the FAQ section for more information.

sept 13–Oct 15

COMPETITION

Register for FREE!

Hacking continues remotely through Oct 15.

Remote + in-person office hours + workshops with mentors

Devpost project submissions are due Oct 15 @ 7 PM.

Oct 11

Innovators Night

The official GAIN HACK LA Tech Week kickoff event + party

Tech Talks, Fireside Chat with industry leaders + networking

Doors open Friday @ 4:30 PM

Exclusive party from 5-8 PM

Cocktails + music

Competing hackers get in for FREE!

Guest SPeakers

Darren Eng

Moderator

LA Venture Association

Darren has been a leader in LA's venture scene since the dot-com era, helping to lead the largest professional association for dot-com venture-backed startups. 20 years after leading executive and entrepreneur, he now leads the Los Angeles Venture Association (LAVA), manages CozDev, and advises emerging funds and startups on capital raises. As executive director of LAVA, Darren has rebranded the organization to focus on investors through new events and advisory boards of VCs, family offices, and angel investors. As cofounder and managing partner of CozDev, he combines the federal Opportunity Zone initiative with a capital gains investment platform for low-risk, tax-free, high-returns, integrating real property ownership with green industry tenants.

Peter Csathy

Moderator

Creative Media

Peter is a leading media, entertainment, AI and tech expert who has worn almost every “hat” in his 30+ year career that spans traditional and tech-driven media. He is also the Chairman of Creative Media, a boutique media, entertainment, AI and technology business development, consulting and legal services firm. Served as CEO and President of several pioneering media-tech companies that achieved highly successful exits, and acted as a senior executive and dealmaker at Universal Studios and other major media companies.

Pash

Guest Speaker

Ex-Apple TV+ / Ex-Disney / TedX

Pash is an ex-Apple, ex-Disney executive creative director and brand strategist. He currently works independently, providing perspective and confidence to senior teams of world leading brands and creative companies, helping them use design thinking to guide better business decisions. For six years he was Head of Brand & Design at Apple TV+, a foundational member of their award-winning marketing team. Building a team—and a streaming service—from scratch, Apple TV+ had the best series on television and an Oscar for Best Picture less than three years after the service launched.For eight years prior he was Vice President of Brand & Design at ABC. There he redesigned the ABC brand identity and oversaw the packaging and promotion of nearly 100 different entertainment properties each year. Before that Pash’s work spanned a wide variety of clients and industries and included dozens of global consumer brands.

Todd Terrazas

Guest Speaker

AI LA Community, Inc.

As an innovator in the tech information and education space, Todd focuses on creating a robust ecosystem of resources and collaborative partnerships that can enhance LA’s AI literacy, catalyze innovation, and advance workforce development opportunities.

Paul Trillo

Guest Speaker

Writer + Director

Paul Trillo is a director and video artist who challenges both his own curiosity and illusion with his visually inventive, conceptual, and technical films. He is always looking for new ways to push the boundaries of what’s possible. Recently, Trillo has explored the future of AI filmmaking, with a focus on integrating the new tools with the traditional craft. Paul has been featured in wide range of media outlets, including New York Times, Rolling Stone, The New Yorker, Vice, The Atlantic, FastCo, Wired, Ad Age, GQ, among others.

Clarence Wooten

Guest Speaker

X (Google X)

Clarence presently serves as Director and Entrepreneur in Residence at X, Alphabet’s moonshot factory (formerly known as Google X) where he directs talented teams to create radical new technologies to solve some of the World’s hardest problems. Clarence is the only African-American to have founded, scaled, and led two Internet startups to successful acquisitions by publicly traded companies. In his current role at X, Clarence leverages his design-thinking roots, deep understanding of tech, and entrepreneurial experience to develop moonshots in X’s early pipeline.

Jennifer Haran

Guest Speaker

Google

Jennifer Haran is a visionary executive, transformational growth strategist and inspirational tech leader. She has 20 years of experience leading partnerships with C-Suite executives, from mature Fortune 500 to hyper growth startups, helping integrate digital capabilities to accelerate and improve business outcomes. Jennifer is currently the Director of Commerce & YouTube Product Activation for the Americas at Google.

More Guests to be announced

Oct 12

Hackerspace Access

Come to The Preserve on Saturday from 9 AM-3 PM to work on your projects.

Hardware Lab, more workshops, mentor office hours + tech talks

Practice your project demo, network with industry leaders + more

Get help with your resume or CV

How to Register

Step 1

Register to hack ASAP! The submission period opens Friday, Sept 13.

Step 2

You must make sure to complete your registration on Devpost so that you're official entered into the hackathon contest. Starter kits, workshop schedule, office hours reservations, and project submission are all on Devpost.

Step 3

Join our INNOVATORS Night Party on Friday, Oct 11 to kick off LA Tech Week and mingle with investors, AI experts, speakers and special guests. Check your email for confirmation with your ticket.

Step 4

Come to The Preserve LA in Hollywood during open hack hours 9 AM-3 PM on Saturday, Oct 12! You can use our hackerspace venue to work on your hack, learn from mentors, meet a teammate, and take workshops.

Step 5

Submit your project by the Devpost deadline Tuesday, Oct 15 @ 7 PM in order to be considered for judging!

Hack Tracks

01

AI

Build solutions that make artificial intelligence a more accessible tool for Hollywood’s creative industry.   
02

Games & Hardware

Use hardware to create innovative gaming experiences that push the boundaries of technology and engage players on a deeper level.
03

LA28 Olympics

Explore new ways to use technology to revolutionize sporting and events for the upcoming 2028 Olympic Games, from enhancing viewer experiences to improving efficiency and accessibility.
04

Entertainment

Create groundbreaking tools and technologies to enhance the film, TV, and broadcasting production process, improve storytelling, and deliver immersive experiences.

Judges

Stay tuned as more judges are confirmed!

Roy Dequina

Genera Venture Studio

With over 20 years of experience designing innovative products, branding & marketing expertise, and startup ventures, Roy previously led a design & advertising agency with key accounts in technology, health & wellness, automotive, and CPG. As a Co-founder & CEO of Genera Venture Studio, he oversees product vision & design, working side by side with entrepreneurs for launching early-stage companies.

Emi Wayner

Google Cloud

A recognized leader and advocate for Startups and VCs at Google, Emi Wayner brings over 20 years of global experience in product development, business strategy, and leadership in partnerships. Her influence includes empowering visionary founders to scale their businesses and helping investors identify high-potential opportunities globally. Prior to Google, Emi was an entrepreneur, partnership director, and 10X strategist. As a leader and partner of GAIN LA, she is dedicated to fostering a thriving LA startup ecosystem by creating meaningful connections locally and globally.

Jeff Harris

Golden Globe Foundation

Jeff is a member of the Board of Directors for the Golden Globe Foundation which supports underrepresented communities in Southern California seeking to thrive in the creative arts and journalism. Since 1989, the Golden Globe Foundation (and its predecessor Hollywood Foreign Press Association) has donated more than $55 million to entertainment-related nonprofit organizations, academic programs and organizations protecting press freedom, and has funded the restoration of 138 classic films. Jeff also serves on the Board of Food Forward and was formerly the Director of School and Community Partners and Compton Unified School District and the CEO for the Junior Statesmen Foundation.

Eva Zheng

Empact

As the Founder and President of Empact, Eva builds technology that turns film and TV audiences into forces for social change, transforming moments of empathy into meaningful action. Empact crafts, curates, and aggregates powerful impact campaigns, each with clear, measurable calls to action, and provide dynamic dashboards showcasing real-time impact data. Eva is also a member of the Board of Directors for Hacker Fund and is the founder of Cal Hacks -- the largest collegiate hackathon in the world.

Labib Yasir

Kayyo

Labib is the Cofounder & CEO of Kayyo - a mobile application that turns the world into your dojo where you'll be able to train MMA, Boxing, Kickboxing, and Muay Thai. Kayyo uses AI, namely computer vision and large language models, to create educational martial arts experiences for sports practictioners worldwide. An alum of OnDeck (ODX1 Fellow), Labib is also a former MMA fighter, YouTube star, and founder of Power Punch Pro -- a leading DTC sporting goods brand in the mixed martial arts sector.

Celeste Durve

VIPER

Celeste founded and operates a high-end events management company that provides custom staffing and technology solutions for live events, venues & brands like Spotify, Apple, Drake, and Hulu. Owned and operated by women, VIPER is a multi-million dollar entertainment and hospitality enterprise that has earned Celeste a spot on the Forbes 30 under 30 List for Advertising & Marketing.

Anshul AJ Jain

ThinkSys

AJ is CTO of ThinkSys, a 450+ person software development agency that helps companies build and scale their engineering teams. Prior to his experience at ThinkSys, he co-founded Capyx, a FinTech company that created a SaaS based solution for Cap Table Management, which was acquired in 2018. Additionally, his passion for giving back inspires him to be a mentor at Hacker Fund, where he regularly gets involved teaching K-12 students to code. He is also the Founder of SB Hacks, the premier collegiate hackathon for his alma mater UC Santa Barbara.

Miles Fishman

Lululemon

Miles Fishman is currently iOS Solutions Architect at Lululemon and prior to that led software development teams at Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, Nike, Voyager, City National Bank, MedMen, & CBS Interactive. He is a skilled full-stack engineer with expertise in C-based languages, particularly Swift and Objective-C, and a strong command of Python, JavaScript, and more. He has extensive experience with iOS frameworks like ARKit and CoreML, and excels in multi-threading, concurrency, and augmented reality development. Proficient in XCode, Visual Studio, AWS, and Azure, Miles also has a track record of implementing machine learning solutions such as neural networks, NLP, and recommendation engines.

Karla Reyes

Anima Interactive

Karla Reyes is the Founder & Studio Director at Anima Interactive, a socially conscious games and immersive media studio. Karla is also a Strategic Advisor at Code Coven and a Founding Member/Head of Business Development. Karla serves as an Advisory Board Member at Los Angeles City College for Game Art & Design and as a Board Member at WINGS Interactive. Additionally, Karla is an Advisory Board Member at devcom. With previous experience at Niantic, Inc., Square Enix, ConsenSys, and Visa in various product management roles, Karla has a diverse background in the tech industry. Karla holds a Master of Arts with Honours in French and Management from the University of St Andrews. Karla is a member of the Forbes 30 under 30 List for the Sports & Games category.

Eitan Anouchi

AYA Instruments Inc.

Eitan Anouchi is the founder of Energy Discovery Zone and the owner of AYA Instruments Inc., a company specializing in power monitoring instrumentation and advanced solutions for industrial energy management. With expertise in business development, energy innovation, and entrepreneurship, Eitan brings a wealth of experience to the LA Tech Week Hackathon as a judge, eager to support emerging tech talent and groundbreaking ideas in the competition.

Adriana Arce

Arce Entertainment

Adriana Arce is the Founder and President of Arce Entertainment and former Vice President at Rebel/Maverick. Adriana brings extensive expertise in artist management, notably guiding Miley Cyrus for eight years and Lil Nas X for three. Having been an artist herself for a decade, Adriana brings a unique perspective of both artistic and business realms. Adriana was honored on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Music list in 2019 and currently serves on its board. Committed to using influence for social impact, Adriana advocates passionately for self development, authenticity and greater representation of women, minorities and vulnerable populations in the arts.

Ashley Tolbert

Netflix

Ashley, a cybersecurity engineer at Netflix, brings a decade of industry experience and a unique background in deep tech and space exploration. Her career spans roles at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab and Ames Research Center, the Department of Energy, and Stanford's Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) and Stanford's CS Department. At NASA, she contributed to SMART grid security and deep space habitat research, blending her expertise in science and cybersecurity. With a cybersecurity Masters from Carnegie Mellon University, Ashley has also served as a Fellow at Harvard's Berkman Klein Center and the National Security Institute, focusing on Internet Security advancement. Her innovative approach to complex challenges is fueled by wide-ranging interests, including running, global travel, and exploring various music and cultures.

Avi Shavit

LA Metro

Avi is a Senior Director in the LA Metro Office of Strategic Innovation where she focuses on shaping policies and implementing projects that work to nudge LA County towards more sustainable modes of transportation instead of driving alone. She leads the pilots vertical including the Mobility Wallet and One Car Challenge pilot projects. She previously worked in Metro’s Planning department launching and managing the Metro Bike Share program. A daily transit and bike rider with a flair for “cycle chic” fashion, Avital holds a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from UCLA.

Kibi Anderson

The Black TV & Film Collective

Kibi Anderson is a CEO, Emmy Award winning film/TV producer and Certified Executive Coach with over 18 years of experience in strategy, business development, media, entertainment, tech, finance and entrepreneurship. Working in executive roles at Red Table Talk (President), Bloomberg Media (Head of Digital Strategy & Business Development), ABC News (Senior Manager, Business Strategy and Operations), and Broadway Federal Bank (VP/ Business Development Manager) she’s become recognized for her ability to mix comprehensive industry insight, entrepreneurial acumen, and strategic communications skills to build digital businesses and brands globally. She is the founder of Life Editor, a boutique executive coaching firm and CEO of Wordsmyth, a tech platform where companies can discover, source and hire Black + Diverse freelance writers.

Tatiana EL-Khouri

Road to Artdom Foundation

Tatiana EL-Khouri is the Founder and Executive Director of Road to Artdom, a leading fiscal sponsor in the arts. She is an Artist/ Visual Storyteller and Product Manager. She is fueled by creativity. As a Visual Storyteller, she helps you tell your Visual Story and keep your brand bold, strong and creative online. Tatiana has worked in the entertainment industry and YouTube community as an Experiential Event and Integrated Marketing professional creating business development pitches, ideation, and marketing strategies for large brands. Among her clients and projects are Machinima, Snapchat, AT&T, Black Entertainment Television (BET), Air Force Art Program/ Pentagon, NAACP, Urban Ministries, Inc (UMI), ComicMix.com, and Ford. As a product manager, she has worked closely with 3Blackdot and their debut mobile game app, Zombie Killer Squad. With over 3 million downloads, the game takes a new approach to IP development and audience growth, by partnering with large YouTube talents to drive creative and promotion. She has also worked closely with tech startups to translate their concepts in to a working app or software in a rapid lean agile build.

Tatiana Koffman

Moonwalker Capital

Tatiana Koffman is a seasoned investor with over a decade of experience spanning investment banking, derivatives, venture capital, and digital assets. She's widely recognized for her finance and technology expertise, frequently sharing her insights in prominent publications like Forbes, CoinDesk, CNBC, the Economist, Business Insider, and TechCrunch. Koffman leads investment firm Moonwalker Capital, is the author of the popular financial newsletter MythOfMoney.com, and is set to publish a book with Wiley Publishing in 2024. She holds a JD/MBA from York University and is a member of the New York State Bar. Koffman started her career in derivatives trading at TD Bank in Toronto. Previously, Koffman wrote a popular Forbes column and managed Venture Capital investments for Grammy-award-winning artists such as the Chainsmokers and Linkin Park in Los Angeles.

Brandon Barney

VenCounsel

Brandon is an American broadcast journalist, legal professional, and serial entrepreneur with a social conscience. He is a Legal Analyst at VenCounsel and Board Chair of the Law Office Study Foundation. He is co-host of Southern California's longest running public radio program covering the digital revolution: KPFK 90.7 FM's Digital Village Radio. His segment, DigitalCulture.LA, investigates into the history and future of science and technology and how computers and the internet are changing our society. Barney is a leading researcher on technological disruption and has advised government officials and corporate leaders from around the world on the impacts of emerging technologies as the Cofounder of Primary Ocean Producers. He manages the Non-Profit, Intellectual Property, and Startup groups at the Barney Law Firm. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Venice Symphony Orchestra and the Open Temple and he volunteers at the Israel Levin Senior Center helping Los Angeles' most senior citizens live well.

Hack Schedule

Hack Schedule

Sept 13–Oct 15

Build

Registration Opens

Submission Begins

Access Devpost

Reserve Office Hours

Start Hacking

Team Matchmaking

Workshops

In-Person + Online

Mentor Office Hours

In-Person + Online

Oct 11–12

Meet

INNOVATORS Night Party

Hackerspace Access

@ The Preserve LA
Saturday, 9 AM-3 PM

Hardware Lab + Workshops + Tech Talks

Mentor Office Hours

In-Person + Online

Oct 16

Demo + Award

Project Submission Review

Mentor Office Hours

Online

Judging

In-Person + Online

Closing Ceremony + Presentation Awards

Networking

FAQ

What is GAIN HACK?

Our month-long hybrid hackathon aims to harness our unique position in Hollywood to bridge the digital divide in entertainment. We will bring together industry professionals and the next generation of innovators in Los Angeles for a mentor-guided, invention-based learning experience where we can all gain new skills! Subject matter experts in AI, robotics, gaming, Film & TV production, and sports will inspire and challenge hackathon participants to explore how we can make entertainment in Los Angeles more accessible to everyone.

How do I register?

You start your registration by clicking HERE, and then complete your registration on Devpost so that you're officially entered into the hackathon contest. Starter kits, workshop schedule, office hours reservations, and project submission is all on Devpost.

Where, when, and how long is the hackathon?

GAIN HACK is a month-long hybrid hackathon that features workshops, mentor office hours, tech talks, and hackerspace access at The Preserve LA creative campus in Hollywood—1370 N St Andrews Pl. Los Angeles, CA 90028 on Saturday October 12, 2024 from 9 AM to 3 PM. Hacking ends on 10/15 at 7 PM and your projects must be uploaded to Devpost in order to be considered for judging.

Is there financial assistance for travel provided?

If you require financial assistance to get to the hackerspace venue, please note this in your application and the amazing donors at Hacker Fund will do their best to support. We cannot guarantee financial assistance for attendees at this time.

Will there be a hardware lab?

Our team will be providing a hardware lab at The Preserve LA during open hack hours and we will have soldering stations available for reservation.

Who can attend?

GAIN HACK accepts participants who are ages 18 and over. We are encouraging applications from student inventors in LA County who are interested in AI, robotics, gaming, Film & TV, and sports. If you’re excited about the Olympics coming to LA, this is the hackathon for you!

What if I don't have a team? Can I submit a solo project?

If you don’t have a team and want to find one, we will help you either during the Google Meet sessions or if you come to the open hack hours at The Preserve LA. If you want to submit solo, you totally can!

Can I submit more than one project? Can I use prior code? Can I reuse something I built for another hackathon or build on it?

Yes, you can submit more than one project however they cannot be for the same track. All project development must be done during the submission period for any projects submitted. You cannot use project assets you made prior to the submission period of this hackathon. If you submitted a project for another hackathon, you can only use project assets that you created during the hacking period that applies to this hackathon.

Do I have to come to the open hack hours at The Preserve LA?

Attendance is not required but highly recommended because we will be providing in-person workshops and mentor office hours led by Google and other industry mentors. Hardware lab and soldering station access only be available on-site at The Preserve LA.

How much does it cost to register?

The hackathon is FREE thanks to our sponsors and donors.

What should I bring to the hackerspace?

Bring your laptop & charger. You are not expected to stay at the hackerspace the entire time and can leave at your convenience. If you plan to solder, bring your own safety goggles.

How many people can be in a team?

Teams will be limited to 4 members. You apply individually and if you do not have a team, we will help you find one during the Google Meet sessions or at The Preserve LA.

What if I have more hackathon questions?

Send an email to [email protected]!