Sony Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones w/ Microphone
+ 4x 3 months ElevenLabs Pro tier subscription ($297 value/team member)
+ MLH Winner Pins

Presented to the team that demonstrates exceptional innovation, technical excellence, impact, and execution across all judging criteria. The official champions of Hack Canada 2026.

Samsung 24" Monitors
+ MLH Winner Pins

Presented to the team that delivers an outstanding project with strong technical depth, creativity, and real-world potential.

Opal Travel Routers
+ MLH Winner Pins

Presented to the team that demonstrates strong creativity, technical skill, and execution, earning their place among the top projects of the competition.

Top 12 teams: seed support and mentorship to continue building after the event, with the strongest projects recommended for submission to the global Google Solution Challenge, giving teams the advantage of access to Google mentorship, cloud credits, and potential international recognition.

In this track, teams build a practical AI-powered solution to a real problem faced by a Canadian small business, nonprofit, or community organization. Over the hackathon weekend, participants will identify a real operational problem (manual tasks, inefficient processes, or unused data), prototype a working solution using Google AI tools such as Gemini, Google AI Studio, Firebase, or Google Cloud, and demonstrate a functional product that shows how AI can improve efficiency, insights, or automation for real organizations. Projects are judged on impact, technical implementation, functionality, and potential for real-world adoption.

Top 3 Teams: $500 grants

The SPUR Track is focused on founder discovery and real startup formation. We’re looking for teams building solutions to real Canadian business problems — products that could realistically become startups after the hackathon. This track is open to builders, engineers, and aspiring founders who want to move beyond side projects and test a real startup idea. Teams will build a working prototype, identify a real Canadian problem worth solving, and pitch their working solution to judges.

Top 10 Teams: Shortlisted into the SPUR founder pipeline

The SPUR Track is focused on founder discovery and real startup formation. We’re looking for teams building solutions to real Canadian business problems — products that could realistically become startups after the hackathon. This track is open to builders, engineers, and aspiring founders who want to move beyond side projects and test a real startup idea. Teams will build a working prototype, identify a real Canadian problem worth solving, and pitch their working solution to judges.

1st Place - $500 Cash for the whole team + interview for $280k/year job
2nd Place - $200 Cash for the whole team
3rd Place - $100 Cash for the whole team
Honorable Mention - $100 Cash for the whole team

We're looking for the most technically complex projects that are built with agentic AI architecture or using fine-tuned AI models.

The 1st place team is guaranteed to receive an interview for a $280k/year job at a stealth foundational AI lab that recently raised in the mid-seven figures. All other teams are also subject, but not guaranteed, to receive an interview.

$100 best buy gift cards

Most digital experiences today are confined to flat, 2D interfaces. However, immersive
environments powered by WebXR and browser-based 3D technologies allow users to
explore, interact, and learn in spatial ways directly from their laptops or mobile devices.
Your challenge is to design and build an immersive, browser-accessible 3D experience that
solves a real-world problem using WebXR or web-based 3D technologies.
The solution must be accessible without requiring a VR headset. It should run in a standard
web browser, with optional enhanced functionality for VR headsets if available.

Your solution should answer:
What does immersion add that a regular website cannot?
If the experience would work just as well as a 2D webpage, it likely isn’t fully leveraging
immersive design.

Teams must:
1. Build a web-based immersive experience (e.g., WebXR, Three.js, A-Frame,
Babylon.js, Unity WebGL).
2. Ensure it runs on a laptop or mobile browser (no headset required).
3. Solve a clearly defined real-world problem.
4. Demonstrate meaningful use of spatial interaction or immersive design
Optional: If a team has access to a headset, they may include enhanced VR features, but it
must still function in non-headset mode.

Suggested Technology Stack
● WebXR API
● Three.js
● A-Frame
● Babylon.js
● Unity (WebGL export)
● React Three Fiber
● PlayCanvas

Example Challenge Directions
You may build immersive web experiences in areas such as:
● Interactive 3D learning environments
● Virtual product demos or digital twins
● Guided mindfulness or therapeutic spaces
● Medical or emergency simulations
● Climate impact visualization in 3D
● Collaborative virtual meeting spaces
● Immersive e-commerce showrooms

Evaluation Criteria
Problem Relevance & Impact - 25%
Use of Immersive / Spatial Design - 25%
Technical Execution (Web-based) - 20%
Creativity & Innovation - 20%
Accessibility & Cross-Device Support - 10%

Deliverables
● A live web link (hosted demo)
● A short demo pitch (3–5 minutes)
● A brief explanation of:
○ Target users
○ Why immersion matters
○ Future scalability

1st Place - $5000 Cash for the whole team
2nd Place - $2500 Cash for the whole team
3rd Place - $1000 Cash for the whole team

Reactiv is a platform for building and managing mobile commerce apps for e-commerce businesses. Its key differentiator is Reactiv Clips, powered by Apple's App Clip technology.

Reactiv Clips bring App Clip technology to any Shopify merchant. Install directly from the Shopify App Store, build Clip experiences with a drag-and-drop visual builder or generate them with AI, and go live without writing code. Clips support configurable push notifications, giving brands up to 8 hours of direct, time-sensitive engagement after a single interaction. No app install, no account creation. Just instant access and a direct communication channel.

Reactiv integrates natively with Shopify for product catalog, cart, and checkout, and supports third-party providers for payments and analytics.

Below are example problem statements from Reactiv. Pick one, combine elements from several, or invent your own and build a Clip that solves it. These are meant to spark ideas, not limit them. If you see a problem worth solving that isn't listed here, go for it.

https://github.com/reactivapp/reactivapp-clipkit-lab

When you're done, create a branch and open a pull request with a description that explains your solution. Include screen recordings of it working so judges can see the experience in action.

Starter templates are provided so you can focus on your solution, not scaffolding. Reactiv retains ownership of submitted code.

Raspberry Pi 4s

Tailscale Integration
Use Tailscale to securely connect the components of your project across teammates’ devices and networks. On the free plan, connect at least two devices in a tailnet, restrict access to one service with an ACL, and either expose a single public demo endpoint using Tailscale Funnel or run a private service accessible only over Tailscale (for example using Tailscale Serve, tsnet, or libtailscale).

Optional advanced integration
Teams who want to go deeper can add automatic sign-in based on Tailscale identity. This could mean recognizing the user’s Tailscale identity directly in the app, or integrating via OIDC using tsidp. For deeper builds, teams may also embed Tailscale directly using tsnet or libtailscale. This is intended for teams exploring identity and access control.

Winners will receive a Raspberry Pi 4 for each team member to power your next hack or Tailscale project!

1st Place - $350 Cash for the individual (single hacker) who posted
2nd Place - $150 Cash for the individual (single hacker) who posted

Your code isn't the only thing that ships this weekend — your story does too.

We're challenging you to document your entire hackathon journey on LinkedIn, from the first brainstorm on Friday night to the final demo on Saturday. The highs, the bugs, the 2 AM breakthroughs, the teammate who fell asleep on the keyboard — all of it.

Use Stanley to craft each post so they actually hit on LinkedIn (not just "Day 1: started hacking" energy). We want scroll-stoppers. We want people who weren't even at this hackathon asking "wait, what did I miss?"

This isn't a coding challenge. It's a storytelling challenge.

How It Works:
1. Build your hackathon project like normal for any track
2. Document the journey by posting on LinkedIn throughout the weekend (minimum 3 posts from Friday → Saturday)
3. Use Stanley to write and polish your posts — it's literally built for this
4. Tag Stanley on LinkedIn in each post so we can find and track your submissions

Stanley's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stanley-from-stan

1st Place - $500 Amazon.ca Gift Cards
2nd Place - TBA
3rd Place - TBA

For this challenge, your mission is to leverage Cloudinary’s React AI Starter Kit to create a groundbreaking application.

Your app must demonstrate how Cloudinary’s powerful media platform can be used to build beautiful, performant, innovative web experiences.

• Framework: Use the React AI Starter Kit - jump on the free tier via this link: https://www.npmjs.com/package/create-cloudinary-react
• Focus: Create a highly functional, production-ready app.
• Theme: Demonstrate innovative uses of Cloudinary's media capabilities.
And... Tell us about your experience!

Side Quest 1: Most innovative transformation
Side Quest 2: Most innovative use of Cloudinary for video
Side Quest 3: Coolest social-media shout-out to @Cloudinary

For more information on Cloudinary and the challenge, see: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1oE0oonEcUAX_fIiBBWafIQmYeplT2VApkLevM-ozFLg/edit?usp=sharing

$500 Cash

Your mission is to leverage Backboard’s full AI operating system, stateful memory, multi-agent orchestration, and deep document RAG, to build applications that go far beyond simple chatbots.

Your app must demonstrate how Backboard’s unique capabilities (17,000+ models with hot-swapping, semantic recall, and built-in tool calling) can solve complex, long-running coordination problems where context actually persists across sessions.

No study planners, no homework helpers, build infrastructure that manages real complexity.

Suggestion:
Take time to research your idea. Use GPT or Claude to dig into sectors that are niche or undeserved by AI. Then figure out how Backboard’s memory and multi-agent orchestration can solve problems those sectors actually face.

Please ensure that you use the Promo Code: HACKCAN10 to get additional dev credits on backboard. It can be found in the billing page if you havent used it yet. If you sign up through the backboard.io/hackathons page, there is a spot to put the Promo Code on sign up. Happy Hacking!

Mechanical Keyboards

Vivirion Solutions is a Canadian healthcare organization focused on improving healthcare education and professional development. We provide training programs, courses, and digital platforms designed to support healthcare workers with practical skills in areas such as dementia care, palliative care, infection control, and other clinical topics. Our ecosystem aims to empower healthcare professionals with accessible learning, resources, and community tools to improve the quality of care delivered to patients.

Using inspiration from the ecosystem at Vivirion Solutions (https://vivirion.com), which focuses on healthcare education, professional networking, and tools that support healthcare workers, a practical healthcare “hack” that improves care or healthcare workflows using ideas inspired by that ecosystem.

6 months ElevenLabs Scale tier subscription ($1980 value/team member)
+ Wireless Earbuds

Deploy natural, human-sounding audio with ElevenLabs. Create realistic, dynamic, and emotionally expressive voices for any project, from interactive AI companions to narrated stories and voice-enabled apps. ElevenLabs will empower you to build rich, immersive experiences without the need for actors or complex audio production, using simply the power of AI.

Integrate fully autonomous audio experiences into your hack with ElevenLabs and give your project a voice, along with giving your team the chance to win some wireless earbuds and 6 months of Scale tier subscription!

===ElevenLabs Resources===

ElevenLabs will be providing 1 month free of our Creator tier for ALL Hack Canada participants! See the hacker guide below for more information.

ElevenLabs Hacker guide (video tutorial included!): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mCh5MtOzBw0aJpurQVUmIVFfPMAHW3MjNemE-LNiMto/edit?usp=sharing

===MLH Resources===

To claim your code: https://my.mlh.io/signin?return_to=%2Fevents%2Fhack-canada-f1%2Fprizes

For more information: https://mlh.link/elevenlabs

Google Swag Kits

Google Antigravity is an agentic development platform, evolving the IDE into the agent-first era.

Google Antigravity's Editor view offers tab autocompletion, natural language code commands, and a configurable, and context-aware configurable agent.

We want you to leverage Google Antigravity to build your hack this weekend. Enjoy free usage of the latest models through a free for students Google AI Pro plan.

For more information and 1 year of free Google AI Pro: https://www.mlh.com/partners/antigravity

Google Swag Kits

It’s time to push the boundaries of what's possible with AI using Google Gemini. Check out the Gemini API to build AI-powered apps that make your friends say WHOA. So, what can Gemini do for your hackathon project?

• Understand language like a human and build a chatbot that gives personalized advice
• Analyze info like a supercomputer and create an app that summarizes complex research papers
• Generate creative content like code, scripts, music, and more

Think of the possibilities… what will you build with the Google Gemini API this weekend?

For more information: https://www.mlh.com/partners/gemini

Ledger Nano S Plus units

The world of development is evolving fast and Solana is leading the charge with a network built to handle all of your infrastructure needs. Forget high fees and slow confirmations, it’s time to build applications that are fast, efficient, and scalable.

Harness Solana's core advantages like blazing fast execution and near-zero transaction costs to make your hackathon ideas become real world projects. With Solana, the possibilities are endless.

• Create a game, social app, or consumer product that relies on instant, high-frequency transactions.

• Design a sophisticated trading, lending, or decentralized exchange (DEX).

• Build a prototype for supply chain, identity, or payments that can handle massive, real-world volume.

Show us how you can innovate with Solana for a chance to win some cool prizes for you and each member of your team!

For more information: https://mlh.link/solana

Fitbit Inspire & Presage Perks

Presage is pioneering the Human Sensing Layer, enabling any application to understand a person’s real-time physical and emotional state. With Presage, you can leverage clinically-proven vital signs, movement, emotion, and/or focus tracking to build a project that gives the standard camera super powers.

Use any of the Presage SDKs to integrate capabilities like real-time heart rate, breathing rate, engagement levels, and facial expressions into your hack with just a few lines of code.

• Immersive Gaming & Entertainment: Dynamically change game difficulty or story elements based on a player's excitement or focus levels.
• Contactless Wellness & Fitness: Build a non-invasive app that monitors stress, recovery, or fitness performance.
• Accessibility & Security: Utilize vital signs for effortless authentication, or to enhance accessibility.
• Productivity: Design a tool that tracks focus or stress.

Build your next hack with Presage and show us the future of human-computer interaction! Win awesome prizes along for with the following perks from the Presage team:

• Free refills for Presage Development credits to accelerate you through your next three months of building
• 30% off all Presage usage charges for your first year after going live

For more information: https://mlh.link/presage

Portable Screens

Vultr empowers hackers to bring their high-performance projects to life instantly; providing everything from the speed of one-click deployment and scalable cloud compute, to specialized Vultr Cloud GPUs that can power AI-driven applications. We want you to push the limits of what can be built when infrastructure is no longer the bottleneck!

Sign up for a Vultr account today and claim your free cloud credits! Take your next hack to the cloud with Vultr for a chance to win some awesome portable screens for you and your team!

For more information: https://mlh.link/vultr

Wireless Headphones

Auth0 wants your applications to be secure! Why spend hours building features like social sign-in, Multi-Factor Authentication, and passwordless log-in when you can enable them through Auth0 straight out of the box? You can also secure your AI applications with Auth0 for AI Agents.

Auth0 is free to try, doesn’t require a credit card, and allows for up to 7,000 free active users and unlimited log-ins. Make your new account today and use any of the Auth0 APIs for a chance to win a pair of wireless headphones for you and each member of your team!

For more information: https://mlh.link/auth0-MLH-guides