UNHACK

UNHACK

Build a solution that matters in 2 days.

UNHACK, a hackathon hosted by YSpace Lassonde is back. Team up with fellow York University students, take on a challenge from the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and go from problem to prototype to pitch in one weekend.

Through Experience Venture, first 60 domestic students who sign up for UNHack are eligible for $350 upon successful completion of the hackathon.

Register Now

What is UNHACK?

Why join UNHACK?

Earn $350 for completing UNHACK.

Through Experience Venture, the first 60 domestic students to register are eligible for $350* when they successfully complete the hackathon. Spots are first come, first served, so if you're planning to join, register early to lock yours in.

*Open to domestic students only. Payment is issued upon successful completion of UNHACK and submission of the required forms.

Secure Your Spot

From problem to pitch in 2 days.

You don't need a finished idea to walk in. UNHACK takes you through each stage step by step, with facilitators and mentors helping you along the way. See below to learn how it works.

1. Frame the problem

Start by digging into this year's SDG challenge tracks. You'll learn the design-thinking process and work with your team to write a focused How Might We (HMW) statement that defines exactly what you're solving.

2. Ideate and validate

Brainstorm as many solutions as you can, then put them to the test. Think through your users, build personas, look at what already exists, and weigh what's actually feasible before choosing the one concept worth building.

3. Prototype and build

Turn your concept into a working prototype or MVP. During dedicated build periods, facilitators, technical experts, and mentors will be on hand to help you get unstuck and keep moving.

4. Pitch

Learn how to clearly communicate your problem, your solution, and the impact it could have. Teams give preliminary pitches first, and the strongest move on to the final pitch competition.

Program eligibility

To participate in UNHACK, individuals must:

• be undergraduate students of York University.

Frequently asked

When and where is UNHack taking place? 

UNHack will take place on Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8, 2026 at the Bergeron Centre for Engineering Excellence at York University. 

Participants should plan to attend for the full duration of both days. 

Who can participate? 

UNHack is open to Lassonde undergraduate engineering students. 

Previous hackathon or entrepreneurship experience is not required. Whether you are joining your first hackathon or have participated in one before, the program is designed to guide you through the process. 

Do I need to have a business idea before registering? 

No. You do not need to come with an idea, startup, or solution. 

The hackathon will guide you through a structured design-thinking process to identify a problem, develop a focused How Might We (HMW) statement, explore possible solutions, and build a prototype. 

Do I need to register with a team? 

You can register individually or as part of a pre-formed team. If you are registering as a team, please mention your Team Name with each registration.  

Teams will consist of approximately 3–5 students. If you register individually or do not have a complete team, we will help match you with other participants at the start of the hackathon. 

What will we be working on? 

Teams will tackle challenges connected to selected United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

The selected challenge tracks and supporting information will be shared with registered participants through DISCO before the hackathon. 

What will I actually build? 

Your team will develop a solution to your selected challenge and create an achievable prototype or minimum viable product (MVP) during the weekend. 

Your prototype does not need to be a fully developed product. The goal is to demonstrate your solution, how it works, who it is designed for, and how it addresses the problem your team identified. 

Do I need technical or coding experience? 

No specific technical skill set is required to participate. Teams will be encouraged to bring together different skills and perspectives. 

Throughout the weekend, facilitators, technical experts, and mentors will be available to help teams scope their ideas and develop prototypes that are achievable within the hackathon timeframe. 

What support will be available during the hackathon? 

Participants will have access to workshops, mentors, technical experts, templates, and resources throughout the weekend. 

Programming will cover design thinking, problem framing, solution development, prototyping, and pitching, with dedicated mentor office hours and build periods built into the schedule. 

Is there a registration fee? 

There is a $15 refundable registration deposit. 

The deposit will be fully refunded to participants who attend and complete the required hackathon activities across both days. The deposit is intended to help us manage attendance and ensure spaces are available to students who are committed to participating. 
 
If you do not attend both days, the registration fee will NOT be refunded.  

How will the competition work? 

Teams will submit their final work and participate in a preliminary pitch round on Sunday. 

Selected teams will advance to the final round, where they will pitch their solutions to the full audience and judging panel. Winners will be announced during the closing ceremony. 

Do I have to attend both days? 

Yes. UNHack is designed as one continuous experience, and participants are expected to attend and actively participate on both Saturday and Sunday. 

Full participation is also required to receive your $15 registration deposit refund and, where applicable, successfully complete the requirements associated with Experience Ventures funding. 

Can we work overnight? 

No. There will be no overnight access to the Bergeron Centre. 

The venue will close on Saturday evening, and participants will return Sunday morning to continue the hackathon. 

Will food be provided? 

Light meals and refreshments will be provided during the hackathon.  

What should I bring? 

Please bring your laptop, charger, student ID, and anything else you may need to work comfortably throughout the day. 

If your prototype requires specialized materials or equipment, additional information about available resources will be communicated to registered participants before the event. 

What happens after I register? 

Once your registration is confirmed, you will receive information about accessing DISCO, the hackathon schedule, pre-event resources, challenge information, and any required next steps. 

Please monitor your email and the hackathon communication channel for important updates leading up to November 7. 

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