HuskyHack 2026:Phase 1

Sound Credit Union (Sound) and UW Tacoma’s Milgard Center for Business Analytics (UWT) are teaming up for the HuskyHack: Turning Innovation into Trust. This fintech innovation event invites college students across Washington State to take part in a high-energy, in-person hackathon where they will ideate, design, and pitch financial technology (FinTech) solutions that improve financial health and enhance the member experience.Students will have the opportunity to collaborate with industry mentors, present their ideas to expert judges, and gain hands-on experience in what it takes to build and pitch a fintech product from the ground up. Whether you’re a developer, designer, or strategist, this event is your launchpad into fintech innovation.Applications open September 8, 2026.PRIZESTheFinTech HuskyHackwill unfold over two high-impact phases.DuringPhase One, individuals and teams will work on building their product or prototype throughout the day. At the end of the phase, participants will submit what they have built, along with theirHuskyHack one-pager, for evaluation by the panel of judges. The top three submissions will each receive a$1,000 prizefor their innovation and progress.InPhase Two (Final Development & Submission), individuals and teams will continue refining and improving their products. Final projects will be submitted throughDevpost, where judges, mentors, and industry leaders will evaluate the entries. The best overall project will receive the$15,000 Grand Prize, along withmentorship opportunitiesandpotential partnership discussionsto further develop their product.Winners will also receiveexpert feedback and coachingfrom industry professionals and entrepreneurs, plus asix-month membership to CoMotion Labsto help bring their product to life.HOW TO ENTERCollege students across Washington State are invited to participate in theFinTech HuskyHackby registering through this website. All entries must be submitted by the registration deadline, and participants must check in by9:00 AM on Hack Dayto take part. Late entries will not be accepted.DuringPhase One, students may participate individually or in teams to design and build their fintech solution. Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges based oncreativity, execution, andrelevance to the problem statement.Thetop three teams or individualsfrom Phase One will be recognized asPhase One winners, and all participants will continue developing their projects inPhase Two, culminating in afinal demo and judging session.Final evaluations will be based ontechnical execution, functionality, user experience, scalability, andpresentation quality.Questions?Emailmcba@uw.edu.