Do high-profile Hackathons (TechCrunch Disrupt) count?

Yes, high-profile competitions like TechCrunch Disrupt can add value to an EB-1 petition. Participating in recognized events, and especially winning awards at them, helps demonstrate distinction and relevance in your field.

That said, the EB-1 evaluates the totality of evidence, and a hackathon result tends to carry more weight when accompanied by other elements that reinforce your excellence, such as:

• Publications and innovative work in your field.
• Awards and distinctions from events with prestige and broad reach.
• Letters of recognition from leading institutions or companies.
• Press coverage and citations of your work.

When presenting the achievement, it is worth contextualizing the event’s reputation, the level of competition, and what the result meant for your career trajectory.

Since each case is evaluated individually by the USCIS, the ideal approach is to position this participation within a broader portfolio and verify updated requirements from the official source or with a specialist before filing.

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Victoria Harper

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As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.