Welcome to Hack the Coast!
February 7-8, 2026
Hosted IN-PERSON at the University of British Columbia, Hack the Coast is a student-led hackathon that brings together curious minds from across the Pacific Northwest to build, learn, and create. Over one weekend, hackers of all skill levels collaborate to design innovative projects, attend workshops led by industry professionals, and connect with mentors who are passionate about tech and creativity.
Whether you’re a first-time hacker or an experienced builder, Hack the Coast is all about exploring new ideas, taking risks, and turning imagination into impact. Expect a supportive environment, hands-on learning, and a vibrant community of creators ready to make waves in tech! 🌊
Check out our website! - https://hackathon.susubc.ca/
NOTE: Registering on Devpost does not give you access to the event, you must apply and get accepted to Hack the Coast 2026 in order to attend.
About the challenge
At Hack the Coast, there’s no limit to what you can create: from web and mobile apps to AI models, hardware hacks, or design prototypes. We are excited to combine multidisciplinary themes of science for new tech-based innovation.
We’ll also have sponsor challenges, mini-games, and category prizes to help spark inspiration.
Requirements
What to Build
Participants are encouraged to build a functioning prototype or demo that fits within one of our hackathon tracks or sponsor challenges. Your project can be software, hardware, or a hybrid; as long as it’s built during the hackathon weekend.
What to Submit
On Devpost, you’ll need to include:
-
A project title and brief description of what your hack does
-
A presentation showing your project in action
-
A link to your code repository
-
A list of technologies used and team members
-
Any inspiration or challenges faced during the build
Prizes
HealthTech & BioInnovation Stream Prize
Fitbits (1 per team member)
Sustainability & Environment Stream Prize
Lunch with SAP recruiters + SAP office tour
JBL Go Speakers (1 per team member)
ScienceTech for Social Good Stream Prize
SUS Hoodie/Crewneck/Shorts
Action Cameras (1 per team member)
Hack the Coast Team Choice Award (Automatic Enrolment)
SUS Jackets (1 per team member)
[MLH] Best Use of MongoDB Atlas
M5Stack IoT Kit, MLH Winner Pins
MongoDB Atlas takes the leading modern database and makes it accessible in the cloud! Get started with a $50 credit for students or sign up for the Atlas free forever tier (no credit card required). Along with a suite of services and functionalities, you'll have everything you need to manage all of your data, and you can get a headstart with free resources from MongoDB University! Build a hack using MongoDB Atlas for a chance to win a M5Stack IoT Kit for you and each member of your team.
[MLH] Best Use of Gemini API
Google Swag Kits, MLH Winner Pins
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?
[MLH] Best Use of ElevenLabs
Wireless Earbuds, MLH Winner Pins
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!
[MLH] Best Use of Vultr
Portable Screens, MLH Winner Pins
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!
[MLH] Best Use of Solana
Ledger Nano S Plus, MLH Winner Pins
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!
Best Use of Featherless.ai
Credits for Featherless.ai
Best Game Design
Blackbird Interactive Game Keys (1 per team member)
Wireless Mouse + Keyboard Combo (1 per team member)
MINT NeuroTech Substream
$200 Value Merchandise
Best Beginner Hack (50%+ Team is First Time Hackers)
Owala Water Bottles (1 per team member)
Best UX
Drawing Tablet (1 per team member)
Most Likely to be a Startup
Anker Magnetic Power Bank (1 per team member)
Devpost Achievements
Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:
Judges
Hack the Coast
Science Undergraduate Society
Judging Criteria
-
Creativity & Innovation
How original and inspiring is your idea? -
Technical Difficulty
How complex or challenging is the implementation? -
Functionality
Does the demo work and deliver on its goal? -
Impact & Relevance
Does it solve a real problem or provide value? -
Visual Design
How clear, appealing, and polished is the visual presentation and user experience? -
Feasibility & Scalability
How practical is the idea to implement, maintain, and grow over time? -
Closeness to Stream
How well does the project align with the chosen stream’s theme and objectives?
Questions? Email the hackathon manager
Tell your friends
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.