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Experience Ventures National Hackathon

Calling all changemakers, innovators, leaders, and disrupters

The second annual Experience Ventures National Hackathon is kicking off January 26, 2023. 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 (external link) , 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.

All participating students will be granted $325 through Experience Ventures in recognition of their participation in the hackathon. In addition, $5,000 in cash prizes divided between the three finalists!

2023 Hackathon Focus: Food Security

Students from across Canada will work alongside community innovators to help design ideas for the future of food security on campus, and enrich the lives of Canadian post-secondary students.

In collaboration with the Social Ventures Zone TMU undergraduate students be placed in a team and participate in this hackathon for the chance to win a cash prize!

Be sure to apply by January 20, 2023!

Apply Now  (external link, opens in new window) 

Dates & Timeline

Apply by January 20 Virtual Hackathon January 26 - February 10 February 24 March 7
  • Students need to check Experience Ventures eligbility criteria and individual school criteria for application.
  • Apply through school.
  • Wait for registration confirmation.
  • Wait for registration confirmation
  • Participate in Experience Ventures onboarding.
  • Attend live kickoff event on January 26 with introduction to design thinking and food security experts.
  • Connect with assigned teams (5-6 people) and facilitator.
  • Students commit to max of 16 hours working on solution and pitch.
  • Coaches commit to 1-2 hours.
  • Each team develops 2 min video pitches due February 10.
  • Students receive an honorarium.
  • Finalists announced.
  • Network partner institution and an innovation partner select one team to present to the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking.
  • One person from each team will need to pitch live on March 7.
  • Top three finalists prepare for Experience Ventures Live Pitch on March 7.
  • National panel from across Canada to determine 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams
  • $5,000 in cash prizes will be awarded by the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking.

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 address food security on campus.

Want to demonstrate your chops as an innovator? A changemaker? A leader of the future?


Apply no later than Friday, January 20!

Apply Now  (external link, opens in new window) 

Frequently Asked Questions

Participating students will be granted an honorarium of $325 through Experience Ventures in recognition of their participation in the hackathon.

$5,000 in cash prizes will be awarded by the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking.

No, undergraduate students from all disciplines are encouraged to participate.

All elements of the Experience Ventures National Hackathon will be hosted virtually, including finalists pitching live during the Experience Ventures Live Pitch.

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.

As an 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.

Want to get involved? Email our Program Lead at paul.hacking@torontomu.ca (opens in new window)