Concept A stripped-down, "anti-conference" version of AF's flagship annual conference, run in partnership with university clubs. Alongside a hackathon, a panel will occur with candid career advice and real industry problems students don't get exposed to in school. Hackathon format is a business-pitch/hackathon hybrid where teams pitch as if founding a company to a panel acting as VCs. Winners of a hackathon to pitch to real clients at the main conference.

Format (per event) 2-day, 24-hour event, capacity ~50 hackathon participants, less than 100 people total, noon-to-noon plus dinner.

Day 1 (Private)

Team Introductions and Mixers: 10:00AM

AF Introduction and Overview: 10:45AM

Panel discussion on career advice: 11:00AM

Hackathon kickoff + pizza lunch: 12PM

Day 2 (Open to the public)

Builds submitted: 12PM

Second panel on real industry problems: 1PM

Demo and pitch to a judging panel: 2PM

Closing dinner at Proof Kitchen and Lounge (TBD): 6PM

Locations & Timeline

• Waterloo: Sept 26–27, 2026, QNC Building.

• 1. Relevance to Theme
  Does the project meaningfully address national competitiveness, government efficiency, or productivity?
• 2. Viability of the Project
  Judged on real-world potential and next steps. Not every project needs to be a company, but it should have a plausible path to impact.
• 3. Presentation/Pitch Quality
  Clarity and persuasiveness in front of the VC-style judging panel. For full rubric, see program essentials.