Build Bold. Win Big.

natHacks is a 64-hour competition that challenges hundreds of students and recent grads to design, build, and pitch creative solutions.

Why Join?

👩‍💻 Challenge Yourself

Work on real-world projects in a collaborative environment. Build technical and professional skills while solving meaningful problems.
🖥️ Build with Cutting-Edge Tech

Use hardware like biosensors and motion detectors with tools such as AI and data analytics to create a working prototype.
💬 Network & Learn

Work with mentors from business, tech, and healthcare, and build your network by collaborating with peers and experts throughout the event.
🌱 Compete for Seed Funding

Over $30,000 in funding and resources is available to help winning teams continue their projects.

How It Works

Sign Up

Registration opens September 10th, 2025. Register individually and join either the Standard or Problem Provider division.
Students and grads from all disciplines and skill levels are encouraged to apply!
Get Ready

Access online workshop content and connect with other participants.

Problem Provider Division: attend Pitch Night, where experts share their challenges. We’ll match you with a team based on your preferences, and you’ll complete three Development Reports with your team before the Hackathon Weekend.
Build

From Nov 7–10, work with your team to design and prototype a solution.
We’ll connect you with mentorship, hardware, and wellness support throughout the weekend.
Pitch & Win

Showcase your project to judges and compete for seed funding and in-kind support for your project.
Beyond the Hackathon

Winning teams have access to year-long mentorship, funding pathways, and resources.

natHacks 2025 Details

Event Breakdown:

Pitch Night (Oct 17): Problem Providers pitch their real-world challenges. This event is mandatory for hackers in the Problem Provider division.

Development Phase (Oct 24-Nov 7, 2025): Teams begin early planning.

Hackathon Weekend (Nov 7–10): Build, test, and present your solution.

Location:

Donadeo Innovation Centre for Engineering (DICE), University of Alberta

natHacks 2025 Themes

MedTech challenges focus on developing technologies that advance healthcare, from diagnostic tools and wearable biosensors to AI-driven clinical decision support. Teams explore how emerging tech can improve patient outcomes, accessibility, and preventative care.
EdTech emphasizes innovations that transform how people learn and teach. Participants design solutions that enhance accessibility, personalization, and engagement in education, supporting learners across disciplines and life stages.
EcoTech encourages the creation of technologies that address pressing sustainability issues, from clean energy and resource efficiency to environmental monitoring and waste reduction. Projects aim to balance technological progress with ecological responsibility for a more sustainable future.

“It was great! I leaned new stuff, met a great team, and socialized in some sessions during the educational sprint.”

natHacks 2024 Participant
“All the volunteers and mentors were extremely supportive and the overall environment was great.”

natHacks 2024 Participant
“I wanted to develop my career/resume and learn a new skill. My passion lies in building and fixing things and thats exactly what I got. Thank you.”

natHacks 2023 Participant
“It was a great learning opportunity for me and I had a great, supportive team who could make it happen!”

natHacks 2024 Participant
“It was an interesting experience. I learnt so much using the hardware and software."

natHacks 2024 Participant
“It was an amazing experience. There was a great amount of workshops, the venue was really accessible, participants were well fed, and the coffee table was such a cool idea! So overall really great event.”

natHacks 2024 Participant
“The whole event was very fun and interesting! I really appreciated how open the volunteers were and how helpful all the guests and staff were.”

natHacks 2024 Participant
“Overall, it was a great event. The idea of an educational sprint was awesome, lots of accessible resources, organizers were always willing to help, great speakers, and more.”

natHacks 2023 Participant
"The hacking was fun, and I'm grateful for the chance to work with such cool hardware.”

natHacks 2024 Participant
“I learned more about BCI and neuroscience than my courses would teach and met ambitious, knowledgeable competitors.”

natHacks 2023 Participant
“I had a really great time creating something cool with my teammates. The choice of food was good and the hackathon was well run.”

natHacks 2024 Participant
“There were many mentors and workshops, a lot of learning, and a lot of socializing. The participants were friendly and the event was fun.”

natHacks 2024 Participant

Other Ways to Participate

Sponsor

Explore the wide range of benefits available through our sponsorship packages.

Learn more
Volunteer

Make new friends and add meaningful experience to your resume.

Learn more
Problem Provider

Submit a real-world challenge and guide your team in developing a tech-based solution.

Learn more
Advisor

Support project teams through a mentorship role.

Learn more
Judge

If you are a professional in industry, academia or healthcare, evaluate projects on their technical or business prowess.

Contact us
Partner

Spotlight your organization by involving your team in mentoring, judging, or volunteering at natHacks.

Contact us

879+

Participants
136+

Prototypes Developed
23+

Ongoing Projects

Thank You to Our Partners

Questions?

Contact us

Build Bold. Win Big.

👩‍💻 Challenge Yourself

🖥️ Build with Cutting-Edge Tech

💬 Network & Learn

🌱 Compete for Seed Funding

Sign Up

Get Ready

Build

Pitch & Win

Beyond the Hackathon

natHacks 2025 Details

natHacks 2025 Themes

“It was great! I leaned new stuff, met a great team, and socialized in some sessions during the educational sprint.”

“All the volunteers and mentors were extremely supportive and the overall environment was great.”

“I wanted to develop my career/resume and learn a new skill. My passion lies in building and fixing things and thats exactly what I got. Thank you.”

“It was a great learning opportunity for me and I had a great, supportive team who could make it happen!”

“It was an interesting experience. I learnt so much using the hardware and software."

“It was an amazing experience. There was a great amount of workshops, the venue was really accessible, participants were well fed, and the coffee table was such a cool idea! So overall really great event.”

“The whole event was very fun and interesting! I really appreciated how open the volunteers were and how helpful all the guests and staff were.”

“Overall, it was a great event. The idea of an educational sprint was awesome, lots of accessible resources, organizers were always willing to help, great speakers, and more.”

"The hacking was fun, and I'm grateful for the chance to work with such cool hardware.”

“I learned more about BCI and neuroscience than my courses would teach and met ambitious, knowledgeable competitors.”

“I had a really great time creating something cool with my teammates. The choice of food was good and the hackathon was well run.”

“There were many mentors and workshops, a lot of learning, and a lot of socializing. The participants were friendly and the event was fun.”

Sponsor

Volunteer

Problem Provider

Advisor

Judge

Partner

879+

136+

23+

Thank You to Our Partners

Questions?