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Adobe hackathon round 2: shortlist results revealed!

Adobe Hackathon Round 2 | Thousands Left Disappointed Amid Selection Discussions

By

Omar Farooq

Aug 27, 2026, 12:32 PM

Edited By

Samuel Koffi

Updated

Aug 28, 2026, 01:13 AM

Just a minute read

A group of excited participants celebrating their advancement in the Adobe Hackathon, showcasing team spirit and creativity.

A wave of disappointment ripples through participants of Adobe's Hackathon, as only 416 out of nearly 28,000 teams made the cut. Many are questioning the fairness of the shortlisting process, especially amidst widespread confusion regarding selection criteria.

Why Is There Anger?

Participants' frustration intensified following the recent results, echoing on various platforms. A comment captured the sentiment: "They literally shortlisted only 416 teams out of 28,000, what the heck?" With so many hopefuls left in the lurch, itโ€™s clear something's off.

Growing Frustration Over Selection Criteria

Many participants vocally expressed irritation about the lack of clarity in how finalists were selected. One noted, "I donโ€™t know how they actually selected for this round" while another said, "Nah, I thought my team did really well, but nvm" Itโ€™s a sentiment that reflects wider resentment in the community.

A Closer Look at Reaction Themes

  1. Selection Questions: Comments indicate widespread confusion on judging criteria, with many people calling for transparency.

  2. Mixed Feelings: As some congratulate successful teams, like mentioning "Congrats bhai!", many others feel overshadowed.

  3. Desire for Analysis: Participants are looking for insight on the selection process. One wrote, "Made a full analysis of this round through claude."

"Didnโ€™t get shortlisted. Congrats to those who did" - a quote that echoes a common theme of mixed emotions.

Future Considerations for Adobe

As backlash continues, the likelihood of Adobe reevaluating its selection approach is high. Experts see around a 70% chance that steps toward clearer criteria will be put in place in future rounds. Feedback sessions might offer participants the insights they need to improve.

Key Observations

  • โ–ณ Only 416 teams succeeded from a staggering pool of 28,000.

  • โ–ฝ Transparency in selection remains a significant issue, causing participants to seek clarity.

  • โ€ป "The selection process feels random" - a frequent concern expressed by many disappointed teams.

The unfolding reaction to the Adobe Hackathon raises questions about fairness and transparency in tech competitions. Will Adobe heed the concerns of countless participants? Time will tell.