Ascendance Foundry's Hackathon

ConceptA 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 a hackathon to 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: 10:00AMAF Introduction and Overview: 10:45AMPanel discussion on career advice: 11:00AMHackathon kickoff + pizza lunch: 12PMDay 2 (Open to the public)Builds submitted: 12PMSecond panel on real industry problems: 1PMDemo and pitch to a judging panel: 2PMClosing dinner at Proof Kitchen and Lounge (TBD): 6PMLocations & TimelineWaterloo: Sept 26–27, 2026, QNC Building.