Hack the Change 2026

Hack the Change is a two-day, in-person, for-charity event focused on developing innovative tech solutions for a better world, and Calgary's first MLH supported Hackathon!

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Hack the Change 2026 begins in...

Nov 7 - Nov 8, 2026

University of Calgary - ICT 102 and ICT 114

Public

$10,000+ in Prizes

About the Challenge

Hack the Change is a 24-hour event where students from across Canada come together to build innovative software solutions that create positive social impact.

Whether you are a first-time hacker or a seasoned veteran, the hackathon inspires participants to leverage technology, solve real-world problems, and code a better tomorrow.

Requirements

Open to all students across Canada, at the university, college, or high school level.

Prizes

$10,000 in prizes for the top three teams. Half of each prize is donated to charity.

2nd place
$3,000
1st place
$5,000
3rd place
$2,000

Side Pot Prizes

Additional prizes for projects that stand out in special categories.

Best Local Impact
$100 Cash
+ $100 donated to charity
Sponsored by Benevity
Best in Trust and Transparency
$100 Cash
Sponsored by Clio
Best Use of Real-World Energy Data
$500 Cash
Sponsored by Voltex Solutions

MLH Prizes

Additional prizes and challenges brought to you by Major League Hacking and its partners.

GoDaddy Registry
Digital Gift Card
Gemini API
MLH Swag Kits
Vultr
Assorted Prizes
Solana
Unruggable Hardware Wallets
Auth0
Wireless Headphones
Tiger Data
Stream Deck Mini
Entire
Mini Portable Projector

Judging Criteria

Our judges score every project on the criteria below.

01
Innovation & Creativity
Is the idea original or a fresh take on existing solutions? Does it apply technology in a creative way to the problem it tackles?
02
Impact & Relevance to Prompt
Does the solution clearly address the hackathon prompt? Could it make a meaningful, positive difference for the people it serves?
03
Feasibility & Scalability
Is the solution practical given real constraints (budget, infrastructure, etc.)? Could it scale beyond a demo into a real-world setting?
04
Technical Execution
Quality of the implementation (working prototype, technical depth, stability). Use of appropriate technology stack. Is the solution technically sound and well-built?
05
User Experience & Design
Is the solution intuitive, accessible and user-friendly? Is it aesthetically pleasing? Does the design of the product elevate its function and original idea?