Dates

November 8th and 9th, 2025.

Eligibility

Anybody from any background can participate in Hack the Change. For access to in person perks such as food, games, and in-person mentorship, participants must be in person at the University of Calgary. 

Project and Submission Requirements

Please submit your project source code along with a maximum 5 minute video presenting the product.

Prizes

1st place - $2000 in cash and $2500 in donation dollars

2nd place - $1400 in cash and $1500 in donation dollars

3rd place - $1000 in cash and $1000 in donation dollars

Side Pots - Three side pots worth $200 in cash each

Judging Criteria and Winner Selection

• Judging Criteria - Innovation & Creativity
  Is the idea original or a fresh take on existing solutions? Does it creatively apply technology to urban challenges (e.g., housing, mobility, disaster resilience, inclusivity)?
• Judging Criteria - Impact & Relevance to Prompt
  Does the solution clearly address the challenge? Could it meaningfully improve lives?
• Judging Criteria - Feasibility & Scalability
  Is the solution practical given real constraints (budget, infrastructure, etc.)? Could it scale beyond a demo into a real city/community setting?
• Judging Criteria - Technical Execution
  Quality of the implementation (working prototype, technical depth, stability)? Use of appropriate technology stack. Is the solution technically sound and well-built?
• Judging Criteria - User Experience & Design
  Is the solution intuitive, accessible and user-friendly? Is the solution aesthetically pleasing? Does the design of the product elevate its function and original idea?