🔥 No experience? No problem.
Come as you are. We welcome designers, writers, makers, first-time coders, and anyone curious about building.
Why Protothon
Tri-Co Protothon 2026 — no coding required.
A creativity and prototyping sprint where anyone with curiosity can learn by doing, team up across Bryn Mawr, Haverford, and Swarthmore, and bring ideas to life.
✨ Learn by doing
Workshops, mentors, and hands-on guidance walk you from idea to prototype and pitch.
🤝 Build connections
Meet students, innovators, and professionals from diverse backgrounds who care about impact.
🏆 Fun and prizes
Showcase your prototype for a chance at awards, feedback, and your amazing product ideas.
By the numbers
What to expect at Protothon.
3Colleges
~24Hours
80+Students attended in the past
Past Protothons
What past teams shipped.
Snapshots from past years to help you imagine what's possible.
2025
Centralized Event Platform
2025
RateMySemesterAbroad - Help Find Perfect Study Abroad Program
2025
Centralized Platform that Democratizes Office Hours
2025
Implementing Map for Park Science Building at Bryn Mawr College
Photo Gallery
Energy from past Protothons.
Tracks
Choose a challenge lane.
Pick a track that matches your skills and the impact you want to make.
Community & Civic Tech
Tools that increase access, equity, and safety in and around campus communities or revolutionalize the way we teach and learn.
Health & Wellness
Prototypes that support mental health, physical wellness, and inclusive recreation.
Climate & Sustainability
Solutions for energy, food, mobility, and conservation challenges facing our campuses.
Entertainment
Interactive art, storytelling, installations, and experimental interfaces.
Schedule (to-be-updated)
Protothon 2026 at a glance.
Day 1 — Kickoff (Feb 7)
- 11:00 AM: Introduction
- 12:00 PM: Working on ideas in teams
- 1:00 PM: Lunch
- 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM: Mentor office hours & working after feedback
- Overnight Development
Day 2 — Build & Showcase (Feb 8)
- 1:30 PM: Judging panel introduction
- 2:00 PM: Project showcase
- 4:00 PM: Dinner
- 5:00 PM: Winner announced & certificate distribution
- 5:30 PM: Event closing!
Registration Open
Join Protothon 2026
Secure your spot for Feb 7–8, 2026 at Bryn Mawr College by register your team (2-4 people) or join solo—we'll match you!
Registration Form
🎟️ Free entry
🍕 Meals included
🏆 Prizes & swag
🤝 Mentorship
Registration deadline: February 5, 2026. More details will be emailed after you register.
Questions? Email knguyen1@brynmawr.edu or DM @gwc.brynmawr on Instagram.
FAQ
Answers before you register.
Do I need a team?
Yes, this is a team-based competition of 2-4 people per team. No worries if you haven't found a team yet, show up solo and we will match you during kickoff based on interests and skills.
Do I have to code?
No. Protothon welcomes first-time coders, designers, storytellers, researchers, and makers — curiosity is enough.
Who can attend?
Students from the Tri-Co College: Bryn Mawr, Haverford, and Swarthmore.
What should I bring?
Your laptop, charger, and anything you need to be comfortable during the sprint. We'll provide meals (lunch on Saturday and dinner on Sunday), snacks, and merch.