Welcome to HackCamp 2026!
HackCamp is a 24-hour, beginner-friendly hackathon hosted by nwPlus at UBC Vancouver. This year, we're bringing together students of all backgrounds and experience levels to learn, connect, and build with AI.
Your Challenge: Identify a problem facing a community and build a solution that makes a meaningful difference.
Your community could be your fellow students, your neighbourhood, or people around the world. Throughout the hackathon, you'll have the opportunity to attend workshops, connect with mentors, meet fellow hackers, and work with a team to turn an idea into something real.
No previous hackathon experience is required. Whether you're building your first project or experimenting with something new, HackCamp is a space to learn by doing, explore what's possible, and create something that matters.
Requirements
Please include the following with your submission:
- Link to your GitHub repository
- Link to your Figma files (if applicable)
- Recorded video demonstration of your project (max. 4 minutes) (optional, but highly recommended)
Note: If you are opting in for any superlatives, please double-check the additional criteria and submission requirements for each award!
Prizes
[Overall] Overall Winner
Awarded to the top overall project at HackCamp 2026. All teams are automatically considered.
[Overall] Beginner Overall Winner
Awarded to the top project in the Beginner Stream. All beginner teams are automatically considered.
[Superlative / Beginner Only] Most Accessible Design
Recognizes a beginner project with a thoughtful, accessible, and intuitive design.
To qualify: Opt in, submit your Figma link, and briefly describe your accessibility considerations on Devpost.
[Superlative / Beginner Only] Best Problem-Solution Fit
Recognizes a beginner project that clearly identifies a problem and builds a solution that meaningfully addresses it.
To qualify: Opt in and include your problem statement and solution description on Devpost.
[Superlative / Open to All] Best Design
Recognizes a project with outstanding visual design, user experience, creativity, and execution.
To qualify: Opt in and submit your Figma link.
[Superlative / Open to All] nwChoice Award
A project that stands out to the nwPlus team for its idea, creativity, execution, or overall experience.
All teams are automatically considered.
[Superlative / Open to All] Best Hardware
Recognizes an outstanding project that meaningfully incorporates hardware.
To qualify: Opt in with a project that includes a hardware component.
[Superlative / Open to All] Community Impact
Recognizes a project with the potential to create meaningful, positive impact for a community.
To qualify: Opt in and include a brief impact statement on Devpost.
[MLH] Best Use of ElevenLabs
Prize: Wireless Earbuds
Want to give your hack a voice? ElevenLabs lets you create natural, expressive AI voices for everything from interactive assistants and games to narrated stories and voice-enabled apps. Build an autonomous audio experience using ElevenLabs this weekend and give your project a voice for a chance to win wireless earbuds for you and your team!
[MLH] Best Use of Gemini API
Prize: MLH Swag Kits
Ready to push your AI ideas further? Google Gemini lets you build apps that understand language, analyze complex information, and generate everything from text and code to creative content. Build something awesome with the Gemini API this weekend for a chance to win an MLH Swag Kit!
[MLH] Best Use of Solana
Prize: Ledger Nano S Plus
Want to build something fast and scalable? Solana gives you high-speed transactions and low fees for everything from games and social apps to trading platforms, payments, identity, and more. Build with Solana this weekend and show us what you can create for a chance to win a Ledger Nano S Plus for you and each member of your team!
[MLH] Best Use of Snowflake API
Prize: Raspberry Pi 4
Want to add AI and data capabilities to your hack? Snowflake’s APIs make it easy to work with powerful LLMs, build RAG-powered chatbots, and add AI features to your applications with just a few API calls. Build with Snowflake this weekend using the free student trial for a chance to win a Raspberry Pi 4!
[MLH] Best .Tech Domain Name
Prize: Desktop Microphone & Free .Tech Domain
Want to give your project a home on the web? With .Tech, you can get a domain for your project for up to 10 years, plus desktop microphones to make collaborating and presenting your project easier. Build something worth showing off this weekend for a chance to win a free .Tech domain and desktop microphones!
[Sponsor] Best Use of n8n
Prize: Free one-year of n8n Cloud Pro
[Sponsor] Best Use of Render
Prize: $500 in credits for 1st place, $300 for 2nd place, and $100 for 3rd place
Devpost Achievements
Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:
Judges
HackCamp Judges
Judging Criteria
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Problem & User Research
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Innovation
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Technical Implementation
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Design & User Experience
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Presentation
Questions? Email the hackathon manager
Invite others to compete
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