UNHack

UNHack 2026 is a two-day hackathon hosted by YSpace and the Lassonde School of Engineering at York University, bringing together engineering students to tackle real-world challenges inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Participation does not need a startup idea, previous hackathon experience, or advanced technical skills. Through the programming you’ll be guided through a structured process that takes you from problem → idea → prototype → pitch, with support from mentors, facilitators, and technical experts along the way.

KEY DETAILS

📅 When

• Saturday, November 7 – Sunday, November 8, 2026

📍 Where

• Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellence, York University

👥 Who Can Participate

UNHack is open to ANY undergraduate student at York University. You can register:

• Individually – we’ll help match you with a team
• With a pre-formed team of 3–5 students

💡 What You’ll Do

Over two days, you’ll:

1. Identify a problem
Explore selected UN Sustainable Development Goal challenge tracks and define a focused How Might We (HMW) problem statement.

2. Develop your solution
Generate ideas, understand your users, evaluate existing alternatives, and select a concept to pursue.

3. Build a prototype
Turn your idea into an achievable prototype or MVP with dedicated build time, workshops, technical support, and mentor office hours.

4. Pitch your solution
Develop and practice your pitch before presenting your solution to judges. Top teams will advance to the final round and pitch on the main stage.

🏆 PRIZES & OPPORTUNITIES

• Cash prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams
• Mentorship from industry professionals and technical experts
• Hands-on experience with design thinking, prototyping, and pitching
• Experience Ventures: The first 60 eligible domestic students may receive. $325 upon successful completion of the hackathon and associated program requirements. Funding is first-come, first-served and subject to eligibility.