Sound Credit Union and UW Tacoma’s Milgard Center for Business Analytics are teaming up for the Husky Hack: Innovate. Empower. Transform. 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 fintech solutions that improve financial health and enhance the member experience for credit unions.

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 5, 2025.

 

Requirements

What to Build: 

We’re seeking bold, creative, and practical fintech solutions aimed at helping users better manage and maximize their financial opportunities. Submissions should identify a real-world problem, show originality, and demonstrate a strong understanding of user needs. We value thoughtful technical planning, clear design, and scalable ideas. Strong entries will combine creativity, user empathy, and effective communication to deliver impactful solutions.

Areas we are interested in include, but are not limited to:

  • Personalized Advice Platforms
  • Lending and crowdfunding platforms
  • Tools to enhance financial wellness
  • Digital lending
  • Digital banking, wallets, payments or settlements
  • Intelligent augmentation
  • Machine-assisted cognition
  • Blockchain/Cryptocurrency
  • Cyber security
  • Smart contracts
  • Asset management
  • Artificial Intelligence/Automation
  • Big Data/Machine Learning

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

$15,000 in prizes
Grand Prize
$15,000 in cash
1 winner

$15,000 and 6-month membership to CoMotion Labs

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Ryan Zilker

Ryan Zilker
EVP/Chief Growth Officer, Sound Credit Union

Nancy Sternitzky

Nancy Sternitzky
SVP/Chief Information Officer, Sound Credit Union

Dennis Joyce

Dennis Joyce
Co-Founder & General Partner, Tacoma Venture Fund

Will Christodoulou

Will Christodoulou
Co-Founder & CTO, Cyder

Dr. Haluk Demirkan

Dr. Haluk Demirkan
Milgard Endowed Distinguished Chair Professor of Service Innovation & Business Analytics, University of Washington 

Michael Turek

Michael Turek
Assistant Teaching Professor, Business Analytics MSBA Program Director | Faculty Lead, Milgard Center for Business Analytics

Dennis Joyce
Co-Founder & General Partner, Tacoma Venture Fund

Judging Criteria

  • Innovation & Creativity
    How original and inventive is the solution? Does it solve the problem in a unique way?
  • Functionality & Technical Execution
    Does the app work as intended? Are features well-developed and functional?
  • User Experience & Design
    Is the interface intuitive, visually appealing, and user-friendly?
  • Impact & Usefulness
    How well does the solution address the problem? Will it make a meaningful difference for users?
  • Presentation & Communication
    How clearly and persuasively did the team explain their solution?
  • Feasibility & Scalability
    Could the solution realistically be implemented? Can it grow or scale

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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