about this event
AF Campus Hackathon in Waterloo
"Growing Canada"
A 24-hour hackathon: get invited from a partner club, pitch your idea like you're founding a real company to a panel that grills you like VCs, and enjoy a dinner at Proof Kitchen and Lounge.
Date: Sept 26–27, 2026
What to expect:
Day 1: Kickoff brunch → candid career panel (real industry problems) → hackathon begins
Day 2: Build sprint → second panel (career advice) → pitch your project to a judging panel → celebration dinner
The theme: We want ideas that move Canada forward; projects that make Canadian companies more competitive, government more efficient, or that help people build and produce more. Think economic growth and nation-building.
Prizes & perks:
$2,000 cash prize for the winning team
Fellowship/internship interviews for the top 3 teams
Getting in:
Invited through a partner club (WatAI, WatStreet, Blueprint, DSC, UW Venture Club, etc.)
No club affiliation? Submit a video application via info@ascendancefoundry.com email
~50 hackathon spots, <100 attendees total
schedule
Ascendance Foundry Hackathon
Kickoff brunch → candid career panel (real industry problems) → hackathon begins
◍ University of WaterlooAscendance Foundry Hackathon
Build sprint → second panel (career advice) → pitch your project to a judging panel → celebration dinner
◍ University of Waterlooprizes
| Place | Prize | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | $2,000 cash prize | CAD $2,000 |
| Top 3 teams | Fellowship/internship interviews | In-kind |