Calling all changemakers, innovators, leaders, and disrupters
The inaugural Experience Ventures National Hackathon is kicking off March 3, 2022.
This virtual event will celebrate the power and potential of entrepreneurial thinking and design thinking to find innovative solutions to real-world problems facing society.
Our goal is to inspire creativity, resiliency, and future vision so students can seize the future with the right skills to solve problems in their own communities.
Experience Ventures, powered by the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking at the University of Calgary, enables college and university students to make an impact alongside real-world innovators through entrepreneurial thinking placements.
2022 Hackathon Focus: Wellness
Up to 150 students from across Canada will work alongside community innovators to develop breakthrough, wellness-focused solutions to enrich the lives of Canadian post-secondary students.
Be sure to apply by February 21.
How does the Hackathon work?
The hackathon will teach students critical strategies, such as design thinking, as they collaborate in teams and work alongside community innovators. The solutions they help develop can inspire post-secondary institutions to launch initiatives that improve the wellness of students.
Want to demonstrate your chops as an innovator? A changemaker? A leader of the future?
Apply no later than Monday, February 21!
Key Dates and Hackathon Flow
| Application deadline | February 21 |
| Virtual hackathon kickoff, ideation development, and pitches | March 3 - 9 |
| Finalists announced | March 9 - 17 |
| Experience Ventures Live Pitch | March 29 |
Who can participate in the hackathon?
Students in all disciplines
The Experience Ventures National Hackathon welcomes submissions from students in any area of study who meet the registration application criteria for the Experience Ventures Program.
Each participating school will be managing applications from their student body from any area of study, according to their own best practices and standard procedures. Up to 150 students will be able to participate from across Canada.
Innovation partners in the community
Participating schools also welcome the participation of community innovation partners, such as ventures, local economic development organizations, industry organizations, and not-for-profits, serving as judges and coaches.
Be a part of Experience Ventures
What is the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking?
By taking part in the hackathon, students and innovation partners are participating in Experience Ventures, powered by the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking at the University of Calgary. We are inspiring college and university students to make an impact alongside real-world innovators through entrepreneurial thinking placements.
Become Future Ready
- Hone entrepreneurial thinking skills by working alongside real-world innovators.
- Experience and contribute to new technologies.
- Gain and apply digital skills.
- Explore wellness.
Make an impact
- Design the future of wellness through work on cutting-edge projects.
- Energize new companies with the next generation of talent.
- Innovate across disciplines to amplify impact.
Build innovation networks
- Cultivate multi-dimensional innovation networks.
- Promote creativity and collaboration in the workplace with multi-disciplinary talent.
- Build a bridge between school and the new world of work.
Hackathon FAQs
Participating students will be granted $325 through Experience Ventures in recognition of their participation in the hackathon.
Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking at the University of Calgary will be awarding $5,000 in cash prizes divided between the three finalists: the winning team will secure $2,500, the first runner-up $1,500, and the second runner-up will secure $1,000.
No, undergraduate or diploma students from all disciplines are encouraged to participate.
As a community innovation partner, participants may serve as a judge or coach. Partners need to be able to provide a minimum $400 in-kind contribution for each participant, as required by Experience Ventures, and represent a diverse group of professionals for students to connect with, from various backgrounds and industries.
No, all elements of the Experience Ventures National Hackathon will be hosted virtually.
To be eligible to participate in the Experience Ventures National Hackathon, you must be:
- A Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person on whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
- Legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations.
- Enrolled in any full- or part-time program of post-secondary study – students from all disciplines are welcome to apply.
- Participating in your first Experience Ventures placement as a student.
Apply Now
For Students
To learn how to apply for a student spot in the Experience Ventures program, please email your school from the list of participating schools below, with the subject heading “Experience Ventures National Hackathon - Student”.
If your school is not listed, please contact the school closest to you.
- Humber College: cfe@humber.ca
- McMaster University: experiential@mcmaster.ca
- Memorial University students apply here
- Ontario Tech University: Connor.Loughlean@ontariotechu.ca
- Queens University students apply here
- Ryerson University: tutu.akinyemi@ryerson.ca
- Simon Fraser University: programs@venturelabs.ca
- York University and Seneca College students apply here
- University of Calgary students apply here
If a school from your region isn't listed, please email: experienceventures@ucalgary.ca
For Partners
To participate as a coach or judge in the Experience Ventures program, please email one of the participating schools below, with the subject heading “Experience Ventures National Hackathon - Community Partner”.
- Humber College: cfe@humber.ca
- McMaster University: experiential@mcmaster.ca
- Memorial University: amahmoudfahm@mun.ca
- Ontario Tech University: Connor.Loughlean@ontariotechu.ca
- Queens University: asc.el@queensu.ca
- Ryerson University: tutu.akinyemi@ryerson.ca
- Simon Fraser University: programs@venturelabs.ca
- York University: leey@yorku.ca
- University of Calgary: laura.wohrizek@ucalgary.ca
If a school from your region isn't listed, please email: experienceventures@ucalgary.ca