NeurAlbertaTech (NAT) invites you to natHACKS, a unique event designed to spark collaboration across disciplines and solve complex challenges in health, wellness, and recreation.

Over three weeks, ending in a 64-hour hackathon weekend, you’ll gain hands-on experience working with a diverse team to develop a creative solution, while also building essential tech skills and knowledge through more than 20 hours of workshops.

Compete for over $30,000 in seed funding and support to help turn your project into a successful startup, connect with like-minded individuals, learn from prominent speakers, and network with mentors and industry professionals. natHACKS is open to undergrads, grad students, and recent graduates from all fields.

If you want to explore neurotech, expand your skills, build your network, challenge yourself, and win seed funding, natHACKS is the hackathon for you!

 

To participate in natHACKS:

1. After signing up on Devpost, you must also apply as an individual using the natHACKS registration form. NAT member applications open August 15, and general applications open September 15. Click here to become a NAT member. Please see the Rules page for information on participant eligibility.

Registration Deadlines:

  • Apply by October 10th at 11:59 PM MT to guarantee a Survival Kit (for in-person hackers) and guarantee placement in the Problem Provider Division (if desired, conditional on completing the Problem Interest Form).
  • The final registration deadline is October 31st at 11:59 PM MT.

 

2. After your application is approved, join a team in one of two Divisions:

    • Problem Provider Division (PPD)

      natHACKS organizers will match individual hackers to teams guided by Problem Providers, experts with a real-world neurotech challenge for hackers to solve. Teams in this division will work with their Problem Providers to complete weekly development for the three weeks prior to the Hackathon Weekend.

      Attend the virtual Pitch Night to learn about the available Problems on October 15th at 17:00 MT, or watch their pitch videos asynchronously.

      You MUST request placement on specific Problem(s) using the Problem Interest Form (via natPortal). The Problem Interest Form is available from October 15th at 7:00 PM MT to October 20th at 11:59 PM MT. Teams will be announced on October 21st.

      Please note, placement in the PPD is not guaranteed; in lieu of placement, you will be placed in the Standard Division.

    • Standard Division

      Participants are free to form their own teams to solve the problems of their choice. Teams can be formed using the Standard Team Creation Form (via natPortal), available from October 26th - November 14th at 11:59 PM MT.

      You can meet potential teammates on Devpost, Discord, or through official pre-natHACKS networking sessions.

      ⭐ New in 2024: Given the highly interdisciplinary nature of neurotechnology, we are encouraging diversity within teams by awarding bonus points based on the variety of academic majors represented. The greater the diversity of disciplines among your team members, the more bonus points your team will earn. ⭐

    • Team Rules (all divisons):

      • Each team must consist of at least 50% Alberta residents to be eligible for prizes.

      • Teams must include between 5 and 6 individuals.

3. Start hacking on November 14th at 6:00 PM MT!

4. Submit your project on Devpost by November 17th at 10:00 AM MT.

 

Deadlines

All listed times are in Mountain Daylight Time (UTC - 6). All forms will be available on natPortal. Links to RSVP to events will be provided shortly.

⚠️ Please note: All forms are hosted on natPortal. natPortal forms do not autosave. Your responses will not be saved until you submit the form. 

Individual Hacker Registration

October 10th (11:59 PM) - Deadline to guarentee a Survival Kit (for in-person hackers) and guarentee placement in the Problem Provider Division (if desired, conditional on completing the Problem Interest Form).

October 31st (11:59 PM) - Final Deadline

  • In addition to signing up on Devpost, all hackers must register for the event using NAT's internal sign-up form before the respective deadline.

  • See the natHACKS rules for details on eligibility.

Problem Interest Form Submission

October 15th (7:00 PM)

to

October 20 (11:59 PM)

  • For Hackers interested in the Problem Provider Division - being matched with subject matter experts to tackle a real-world Problem. 

  • Teams in this division will work with their Problem Providers to complete three (3) Weekly Development Reports prior to the Hackathon Weekend. 

  • Teams will be announced on October 21st. Please note, PPD placement is not guaranteed; in lieu of placement, you will be placed in the Standard Division. 

Standard Team Creation Form Submission

October 26th 

to

 November 14th (11:59 PM)

  • For Hackers interested in the Standard Division - searching for and forming their own team.

  • You have until the end of the first day of hacking (November 14th) to submit the Standard Team Creation Form.

  • Hardware applications this year are bundled with this form.

 

 

Event Schedule

All listed times are in Mountain Daylight Time (UTC - 6).

Online Networking

Ongoing

  • Participants are strongly encouraged to connect with fellow neurotech enthusiasts on Discord and Devpost, especially Standard Division participants in need of team members.

Info Nights

Various

  • An event to give newcomers a complete introduction to natHACKS, including a full synopsis of the entire multi-day event, the project criteria, and where prospective attendees can get started. Don’t miss your chance to have all of your natHACKS questions answered!

  • Info Nights will also feature hacker-to-hacker networking for those looking for additional team members.

  • Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

  • Info Nights will be hosted in late September & early October in Edmonton, Calgary, and Lethbridge. You can subscribe to our newsletter if you'd like to be notified about upcoming Info Nights!

Pitch Night

October 15th

  • Join us for Pitch Night to meet our amazing Problem Providers (clinicians, academics, and industry professionals bringing real-world neurotech problems) and join a team focused on solving their problem.

  • The Pitch Night will also feature hacker-to-hacker networking for those looking for additional team members!

Educational Sprint

October 28th - November 13th

  • NAT will provide 20+ hours of in-depth workshop content leading up to the event, ensuring all participants are up to speed on working with BCIs.

  • Workshops will cover the basics of Python programming, analyzing signals from commercial EEG headsets, putting together a business pitch for your projects, and more!

Opening Day

November 14th

  • Opening Ceremony (5:00 PM - 6:00 PM): You'll get an overview of natHACKS, hear from speakers in the neurotech space, network, and get excited for some hacking!

  • RSVP Required for both in-person and virtual attendees.

Hackathon

November 14th - November 17th

  • 64 hours of hacking, beginning on November 14 at 6:00 PM and ending on November 17 at 10:00 AM.

  • Need a break? NAT is excited to provide trivia, movie nights, and more fun events throughout the hackathon!

  • If in Edmonton, attend the Sponsor Booth Event [Date TBA]

 Innovation Mixer

 November 15th

  • Join us for our Innovation Mixer (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM): a catered luncheon and networking session with natHACKS partners (in-person at the Edmonton site only)

Closing Day

November 17th

  • Project Evaluation (10:00 AM - 4:00 PM): our judges will narrow down the top prizes

  • Closing Ceremony (5:30 PM - 6:30 PM): learn who came out on top and hear from another excellent keynote speaker to close out the event!

  • RSVP Required for both in-person and virtual attendees.

Requirements

All competitive submissions must include:

  1. A project code repository with code solely developed during the 64 hour natHACKS Hackathon Weekend.

  2. A video presentation explaining the project, which should not exceed 90 seconds.

  3. A brief written project summary, which should not exceed 250 words.

  4. A live presentation to Judges (in-person at the UofA, virtual for all other participants)

More details on submissions, and detailed project rubrics, will be provided to participants closer to the event.

Note that prizes can only be offered to teams consisting of at least 50% Alberta residents.

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

$CAD 31,500 in prizes
1st Place - Standard Division (Multiple Tracks)
3 winners

1st place winners from the Recreation, Rehabilitation, and Research Tracks in the Standard Division will be eligible for $2000 CAD in seed funding, going towards the future development of their hackathon projects. An additional $2000 CAD of in-kind services are available (legal services, cloud compute resources, business mentorship, and infrastructure support) as needed.

1st Place - Problem Provider Division
1 winner

1st place winners from the Problem Provider Division will be eligible for $2000 CAD in seed funding, going towards the future development of their hackathon projects. An additional $2000 CAD of in-kind services are available (legal services, cloud compute resources, business mentorship) as needed.

2nd Place - Standard Division (Multiple Tracks)
3 winners

2nd place winners from the Recreation, Rehabilitation, and Research Tracks in the Standard Division will be eligible for $1000 CAD in seed funding, going towards the future development of their hackathon projects. An additional $1000 CAD of in-kind services are available (legal services, cloud compute resources, business mentorship, and infrastructure support) as needed.

2nd Place - Problem Provider Division
1 winner

2nd place winners from the Problem Provider Division, General will be eligible for $1000 CAD in seed funding, going towards the future development of their hackathon projects. An additional $1000 CAD of in-kind services are available (legal services, cloud compute resources, business mentorship) as needed.

1st Place - Standard Division, Junior
1 winner

1st place winners from the Standard Division, Junior Pool will be eligible for $1000 CAD in seed funding, going towards the future development of their hackathon projects. An additional $1000 CAD of in-kind services are available (legal services, cloud compute resources, business mentorship) as needed.

3rd Place - Problem Provider Division
1 winner

3rd place winners from the Problem Provider Division, General will be eligible for $500 CAD in seed funding, going towards the future development of their hackathon projects. An additional $500 CAD of in-kind services are available (legal services, cloud compute resources, business mentorship) as needed.

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Eden Redman

Eden Redman
Executive Director

Judging Criteria

  • Temp

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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