Ctrl + Alt + L♥VE

Skip the chocolates. Forget the roses. Save your serenades for another day. This Valentine’s Day, ditch the messy drama of trial-and-error dating and geek-out with the Gale-Shapley Stable Marriage Problem algorithm.

Why swipe right ‘hoping’ for the best when you can write code to ensure it!

CLOSED
Ctrl+Alt+Love
Thank You!

Huge thanks to all our amazing participants! The results are out, and we’ve emailed them to you. Check your inbox (and maybe your spam folder, just in case). Whether you won or not, you’re all legends in our book!

Keep coding, keep creating, and see you at the next hackathon.

The Gale-Shapley Stable Marriage Problem Algorithm

The Gale-Shapley algorithm, aka "Matchmaker Extraordinaire," is proof that even nerds can solve romance better than Cupid. Here’s how it works: a bunch of overly eager “proposers” (let's call them suitors) repeatedly pitch their love to their top choices from a preference list. Meanwhile, the receivers (aka "we-know-our-worth squad") either keep the suitor around for another date or dump them for a better option.

The twist? This endless rejection and reshuffling continue until no one’s left awkwardly hanging. The result? A perfectly stable setup where no one trades partners later (because stable marriage means "no regretting your decisions"). Turns out, love isn’t blind — it just needs better programming.

The Love Algorithm Lifecycle

Hackathon Phases explained

Every great match starts with a process — and here, it’s all about the logic! Our hackathon is divided into four exciting phases, each designed to sharpen your skills, ignite your creativity, and prove that love isn’t just an emotion; it’s an algorithm waiting to be cracked.

Register to join the hackathon. Dive into AMA sessions & workshops to master the Stable Marriage Algorithm. Submit your code, and let the judges evaluate your brilliance for a chance to win prizes or earn a certificate of participation.

Phase 1
Register

REGISTER

Weekdays

Starts on Jan 27th

Your journey begins — register now to prove love and logic can coexist.

Phase 2
Learn the Algorithm

LEARN & BUILD

Weekdays

Jan 27th - Feb 27th

Learn the secrets of the Stable Marriage Algorithm and get all your burning questions answered.

See Schedule.

Phase 3
Submit your Code

SUBMIT CODE

Weekdays

Feb 28th

Submit your algorithmic masterpiece and show the world you’re logic-ready to tackle the timeless question of finding stable matches.

See Schedule.

Phase 4
Evaluation and Result Declaration

EVALUATION

Weekdays

Mar 1st - Mar 5th

Watch your code go under the microscope. Win hearts (and prizes), or at least a certificate! Results will be communicated via email on March 6th.

Two submission tracks

CHOOSE YOUR TRACK

Program or Prototype

Whether you’re just starting your coding journey or you’re a seasoned pro ready to build the next big thing, there’s room for everyone in this hackathon. You’ve got two ways to showcase your brilliance.

PROGRAM

Algorithm Demonstration

Perfect for beginners or anyone who wants to focus on mastering the Stable Marriage Problem (SMP) algorithm itself. Simply write a program that demonstrates how the algorithm works—no bells or whistles required. If you’re new to programming, this is your chance to participate, learn, and showcase your logical thinking skills.

See Evaluation Criteria
PROTOTYPE

Application Prototype

For the experienced coders out there: develop a full-fledged application that uses the SMP algorithm to solve real-world problems. From matchmaking and job placements to resource allocation and beyond, your creativity will shine here. This track is more demanding but equally rewarding.

See Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation Criteria

Both tracks are judged independently. Your simple program will only be compared to other programs, and your application will compete with other prototypes.

  • Correctness: Does the program implement the Stable Marriage Problem algorithm accurately?
  • Efficiency: How well is the algorithm optimized in terms of runtime and resource usage?
  • Clarity of Code: Is the code readable, well-structured, and well-commented?
  • Test Cases and Results: Does the program handle edge cases and produce the correct results for various scenarios?
  • The X Factor: Did the submission include something unexpected, clever, or innovative, like a creative way of presenting outputs or extending the algorithm’s logic in a unique way?

  • Functionality: Is the prototype fully functional and capable of solving a real-world problem using the SMP algorithm? Submissions must go beyond static or dynamic mockups to deliver a working application.
  • Algorithm Integration: How effectively is the SMP algorithm integrated into the prototype? Is it applied to a real-world or innovative problem domain?
  • UI/UX: Is the application intuitive, visually appealing, and easy to use?
  • Scalability & Robustness: Can the application scale effectively and handle various input sizes or situations without failing?
  • Documentation: Does the submission include clear and concise documentation or usage instructions?
  • The X Factor: Did the application surprise the judges with an innovative feature, creative problem application, or unexpected element that adds significant value?

SMP in Action: Inspiration for your Innovation

What do I build?

Need inspiration? Explore real-world applications and futuristic ideas for how the Stable Marriage Problem algorithm can be leveraged to create impactful solutions. From university admissions to pet adoptions and co-founder pairings, these examples are here to spark your imagination.

  • University Admissions Matching Systems: Match students to universities based on their preferences and the institution’s acceptance criteria. This approach is currently used in some college matching systems worldwide.
  • Medical Residency Placement: Assign medical students to hospitals for residencies by balancing the preferences of both the students and hospitals. This is a well-known implementation used by programs like the NRMP in the United States.
  • Job Applicant-Employer Matching: Pair job seekers with companies based on mutual preferences in a more systematic way, potentially replacing or enhancing traditional recruiting platforms.
  • Shared Housing Allocations: Match roommates to shared apartments while accounting for individual preferences for location, budget, and other compatibility factors.
  • School Student-Teacher Matching: Pair teachers to schools or students for mentoring programs, considering the skills and preferences of both sides.

  • Dating Platforms: Pair users on matchmaking sites with optimal matches based on mutual compatibility, rather than relying solely on swiping and superficial filters.
  • Music Band Formation: Match musicians to create harmonious music groups based on their skills, styles, and genre preferences.
  • Startup Co-founder Pairing: Match potential co-founders or early-stage startup teams by aligning complementary skills, risk appetites, and goals.
  • Festival Stall Allocation: Allocate booth spaces to vendors at large fairs, optimizing for traffic, vendor preferences, and competition dynamics.
  • Pet Adoption Services: Match families with rescue animals, ensuring the preferences of both the adopters and shelters align for happy adoptions.

  • AI-Powered Personal Assistants Matching: Match users with AI personal assistants that align with their personality and work style, ensuring optimal user satisfaction.
  • Autonomous Car Fleet Optimization: Assign autonomous vehicles to passengers or cargo loads to maximize efficiency and reduce wait times while accounting for both parties’ needs.
  • Healthcare Provider-Patient Pairing: Match patients to the best-suited healthcare providers (general practitioners, specialists, or counselors) based on their unique medical conditions and preferences.
  • Collaborative Work Matching in the Gig Economy: Pair freelancers or gig workers with clients or tasks that best fit their skills and preferences while optimizing for project requirements.
  • Online Education: Match learners to courses, instructors, or study groups based on individual learning styles, availability, and career goals.

The SMP algorithm’s adaptability makes it a fantastic choice for solving any two-sided preference-matching challenge, whether in today’s world or the dynamic, AI-driven future ahead.

Gifts!

Ready to win big? The Prototype champions of the “Ctrl + Alt + Love” Hackathon will walk away with these exciting prizes:

  • Apple” iPad (256 GB, Wi-Fi + Cellular) for the Winner.
  • Samsung Galaxy A35 5G (256 GB) for the Runner-up.
  • LED-Eye Rover Backpack for the 2nd Runner-up.

Winners of the simple program demonstration category will get Ace Hacker branded Backpacks.

Everyone who clears Phase 3 (Submit Code) earns a Certificate of Participation, a badge of honor to show off your coding prowess.

And of course, all participants gain ultimate bragging rights for joining this geeky love-fest and leveling up their skills—whether or not you submitted code.

Gifts and Bragging Rights

Who’s eligible to join the Hackathon Fun?

Eligibility Criteria
  • Age is just a number: If you can code, you’re in. Age is just a number, but you should be between 13 and 113!

  • Students or Professionals: Whether you’re acing assignments in school, building enterprise-level solutions at work, or coding just for fun, we want you!

  • Global participation: It doesn’t matter where you’re from; love knows no boundaries, and neither does this hackathon.

  • Inclusive for all genders: Everyone is welcome to join in and flex their coding muscles - no restrictions, no biases.

    • CLOSED

Schedule

Mark your calendars. Here’s the schedule for AMA sessions to clear all your hackathon doubts and workshops to master the Stable Marriage Problem algorithm for your code or prototype.

Session Title Date Timing Action
AMA Ask me anything about the Hackathon Saturday, Feb 08th
01:00 PM - 02:00 PM (IST)
Closed.
Workshop On Stable Marriage Problem Algorithm Monday, Feb 10th 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM (IST) Closed.
AMA Ask me anything about the Hackathon Wednesday, Feb 12th 01:00 PM - 01:45 PM (IST) Closed.
Workshop On Stable Marriage Problem Algorithm Friday, Feb 14th 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM (IST) Closed.
AMA Ask me anything about the Hackathon Monday, Feb 17th 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM (IST) Closed.
Workshop On Stable Marriage Problem Algorithm Wednesday, Feb 19th 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM (IST) Closed.
AMA Ask me anything about the Hackathon Friday, Feb 21st 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM (IST) Closed.
Workshop On Stable Marriage Problem Algorithm Monday, Feb 24th 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM (IST) Closed.
AMA Ask me anything about the Hackathon Wednesday, Feb 26th 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM (IST) Closed.
Submission Submit your work Friday, Feb 28th 00:00 AM - 11:59 PM (IST) Closed.

And they lived algorithmically ever after!

Celebrations!

MARCH 6th

Results for the Hackathon will be announced via email on March 6th. Brace yourselves, because it's not just about who wins — it’s about the innovation, logic, and pure algorithmic brilliance that went into every submission. Winners will bag their well-deserved gifts, but remember, everyone who participated is a part of this incredible love-by-algorithms journey. So, let’s celebrate your efforts, genius, and passion as the SMP stories unfold with style.

Questions?

Anyone who can code and is aged between 13 and 113 can participate! Students, professionals, or anyone from anywhere on the planet — if you're curious about algorithms, you’re welcome.

You can use any programming language you’re comfortable with — code in your own love language!

If you’re building a simple program to demonstrate the SMP algorithm, submissions must be individual — teamwork isn’t an option here. However, if you're developing a prototype, you’re allowed to form a team of up to 4 members. At the time of submission, the form will prompt you to fill in details for all team members if you’re submitting a prototype. For simple program submissions, it will only collect your details.

Yes, all team members need to register individually. At the time of submission, you’ll have the flexibility to update your team members if needed, but it's mandatory that everyone on the team completes their individual registration.

Nope! This hackathon is completely free. Your only investment is your logic, creativity, and maybe some caffeine.

There are prizes — big, shiny, tech-filled ones!

Prototype developers have a chance to win these amazing gifts. If you win as a team, each member of the team gets these prizes:
  • Apple” iPad (256 GB, Wi-Fi + Cellular) for the Winner.
  • Samsung Galaxy A35 5G (256 GB) for the Runner-up.
  • LED-Eye Rover Backpack for the 2nd Runner-up.
Winners who submit a simple program will win an Ace Hacker branded Backpack.

Plus, everyone who clears stage 3 and submits their code (program or prototype) gets a Certificate of Participation. And let’s not forget the ultimate reward — bragging rights for life that you rocked the Ctrl + Alt + Love Hackathon!

We’ve got you covered faster than a stable algorithm finds a perfect pair! You can:
  • Ask your burning questions during the AMA sessions or Workshops. See Schedule.
  • Drop us a line at hack@acehacker.com (we love reading your algorithmic musings).
  • Can’t wait another second? Call us at +91.988.011.2117, and we’ll swoop in like Cupid with a debugging wand!

No worries at all! Even if your code isn’t wrapped up in a perfect bow by the submission day, send in whatever you’ve got. This hackathon is all about participating, learning, and having fun along the way — whether your algorithm is perfectly stable or still figuring itself out. Just hit submit, and let’s celebrate your effort.

The adventure doesn’t end here. We drop a large-scale global hackathon every month. Think of it as your monthly dose of STEM knowledge and skill-building adrenaline. Use this hackathon to master a STEM topic, sharpen hard skills like programming, and show off your brilliance to the world. Keep learning, growing, and having a blast with us — because the next hackathon is just around the corner!

We are all for leveraging smart tools to spread love and make life easier. However, remember that your submission should reflect your skills and creativity. Using tools for guidance is fine, but the true magic lies in the code you write yourself.

Also remember, if your code gets selected, the Judges may schedule an online call with you to discuss your source code. As long as you can confidently explain your logic and satisfy their questions, you’re good to go. So, whether you used ChatGPT or not, what truly matters is that you know your stuff, and the Judges see your brilliance.

Contact us

Contact Ace Hacker

No mushy stuff, please! We only accept queries about the hackathon, the algorithm, or if you’re stuck somewhere in a technical process. We’re unapologetically robotic beings who see everything in life through an algorithmic lens. So, save the poetry and stick to the code — we’re all hearts for your questions!

Email: hack@acehacker.com

Call: (+91) 988.011.2117