about this event
Concept: A stripped-down, "anti-conference" version of AF's flagship annual conference, run in partnership with university clubs. Alongside a hackathon, a panel will occur with candid career advice and real industry problems students don't get exposed to in school. Hackathon format is a business-pitch/hackathon hybrid where teams pitch as if founding a company to a panel acting as VCs. Winners of the hackathon pitch to real clients at the main conference.
Format (per event): 2-day, 24-hour event, capacity ~50 hackathon participants, less than 100 people total, noon-to-noon plus dinner.
Day 1 (Private) - Team Introductions and Mixers: 10:00AM - AF Introduction and Overview: 10:45AM - Panel discussion on career advice: 11:00AM - Hackathon kickoff + pizza lunch: 12PM
Day 2 (Open to the public) - Builds submitted: 12PM - Second panel on real industry problems: 1PM - Demo and pitch to a judging panel: 2PM
Closing dinner at Proof Kitchen and Lounge (TBD): 6PM
Locations & Timeline: - Waterloo: Sept 26–27, 2026, QNC Building.
when
Ascendance Foundry's Hackathon
Day 1 (Private): Team introductions and mixers at 10:00AM, AF introduction and overview at 10:45AM, panel discussion on career advice at 11:00AM, hackathon kickoff plus pizza lunch at 12PM.
◍ Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum Nano CentreAscendance Foundry's Hackathon
Day 2 (Open to the public): Builds submitted at 12PM, second panel on real industry problems at 1PM, demo and pitch to a judging panel at 2PM, closing dinner at Proof Kitchen and Lounge (TBD) at 6PM.
◍ Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum Nano Centre