1. Main Description
About the Challenge
Welcome to ProtoHacks 2026, a hackathon hosted by SFU Women in Engineering (WiE) and the Engineering Science Student Society (ESSS)!
ProtoHacks challenges you to turn your ideas into reality by creating an innovative, interactive, and impactful project. Whether you're passionate about hardware, software, artificial intelligence, or exploring an unconventional idea, this is your opportunity to experiment with new technologies, collaborate with fellow students, and build something meaningful.
We're looking for projects that demonstrate creativity, thoughtful problem-solving, technical skills, and real-world potential. Whether you're building a physical prototype, developing an application, experimenting with AI, or creating something entirely unexpected, we encourage you to think outside the box!
Project Categories
Projects will be recognized across five award categories:
1. Best Hardware
For projects that demonstrate outstanding use of physical components, electronics, embedded systems, sensors, microcontrollers, or other hardware technologies. Judges will look for effective hardware integration, functionality, technical execution, and how well the physical components contribute to the project's purpose.
2. Best Software
For projects that demonstrate excellent software development, including applications, websites, digital tools, and software-based solutions. Judges will consider functionality, implementation, user experience, technical execution, and how effectively the software addresses the intended problem.
3. Best AI
For projects that make meaningful and effective use of artificial intelligence or machine learning. This could include intelligent assistants, predictive models, automation tools, computer vision, or other AI-powered applications. Judges will look at how AI contributes to the solution, the quality of its implementation, and its usefulness beyond simply incorporating an AI tool.
4. Most Innovative
For projects that stand out through originality, creative thinking, and a fresh approach to solving a problem. Judges will consider the uniqueness of the idea, the creativity of the solution, and how effectively the team transforms its concept into a compelling project.
5. Best Wildcard
For the unexpected, unconventional, and delightfully different projects! This category celebrates ideas that don't necessarily fit into traditional categories but demonstrate creativity, experimentation, entertainment value, or an imaginative approach to building something new. Surprise us!
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
- Time: 9:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Location: SFU Burnaby Campus, Student Union Building (SUB) Ballroom
- Hosts: SFU Women in Engineering (WiE) × Engineering Science Student Society (ESSS)
Food and Hardware
Food will be provided during the event. If you have dietary restrictions, please communicate them to the organizers as early as possible.
Selected hardware components may also be available for participants to borrow, subject to availability. Please check with the technical volunteers before borrowing equipment and return all shared components after use.
We encourage participants to experiment, collaborate, and make the most of the day. You don't need to be an expert to participate. Bring your ideas, curiosity, and willingness to learn!
Build something bold. Create something meaningful. Make ProtoHacks yours!
Requirements
2. Submission Requirements
What to Submit
To be eligible for judging, every team must submit its project through the official ProtoHacks 2026 Devpost page before the submission deadline.
1. Devpost Submission
Your submission must include:
- Project name: A clear and memorable name for your project.
- Project description: Explain the problem you're addressing, your proposed solution, how it works, and who it benefits.
- GitHub repository: Provide a link to your project's GitHub repository containing your source code, where applicable.
- Project visuals: Include screenshots, photographs, diagrams, or a short demonstration video showing your project.
- Technologies used: List the programming languages, frameworks, APIs, hardware components, AI models, or other technologies used.
- Team members: Ensure that all team members are correctly listed on the submission.
2. Project Presentation
Each team should prepare a 4-5 minute project pitch covering:
- The problem: What problem are you trying to solve?
- Your solution: What did you build, and how does it work?
- Demonstration: Show your project's key features and interactivity. Demonstrate your hardware prototype or software functionality wherever possible.
- Technical implementation: Explain the important technologies, APIs, or hardware components used.
- Future potential: Briefly explain how your project could be improved, expanded, or used in the real world.
Make your presentation clear, engaging, and focused on what makes your project special.
Important Notes
- Devpost submission is mandatory for eligibility for judging.
- The submission deadline is 6:00 PM.
- Teams should ensure their submission is complete before the deadline.
- Make sure your GitHub repository and project links are accessible to the judges.
- Be prepared to demonstrate your project during the judging period.
3. Judging Criteria and Winner Selection
Judging Criteria
Projects will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Creativity, Innovation, and Uniqueness: How original is the idea? Does the project offer a creative approach or a fresh perspective?
- Functionality and Technical Execution: How well does the project work? How effectively has the team implemented its solution?
- Impact and Usefulness: Does the project address a meaningful problem or offer practical value to its intended users?
- Problem-Solving and Project Purpose: How clearly does the project identify a problem, and how effectively does the proposed solution address it?
- Quality of Presentation: How clearly and effectively does the team explain the project, demonstrate its features, and communicate its value?
- Bonus: Additional recognition may be given for exceptional effort, thoughtful implementation, or other noteworthy aspects of a project.
Judging Process
- Project submissions close at 6:00 PM.
- Judging and project demonstrations begin after submissions close.
- Judges will evaluate projects according to the announced criteria and award categories.
- Winners will be announced during the closing presentation.
The judging process and timing may be adjusted by the organizers.
4. Prizes
Awards and Recognition
Projects will compete for recognition in five categories:
- 🏆 Best Hardware
- 💻 Best Software
- 🤖 Best AI
- 💡 Most Innovative
- 🎲 Best Wildcard
Each category recognizes a different aspect of engineering, creativity, and technical problem-solving.
Prize details will be announced by the organizers during the event.
Prizes
Best Hardware Project
For projects that demonstrate outstanding use of physical components, electronics, embedded systems, sensors, microcontrollers, or other hardware technologies. Judges will look for effective hardware integration, functionality, technical execution, and how well the physical components contribute to the project's purpose
Best Software Project
For projects that demonstrate excellent software development, including applications, websites, digital tools, and software-based solutions. Judges will consider functionality, implementation, user experience, technical execution, and how effectively the software addresses the intended problem.
Best AI Project
For projects that make meaningful and effective use of artificial intelligence or machine learning. This could include intelligent assistants, predictive models, automation tools, computer vision, or other AI-powered applications. Judges will look at how AI contributes to the solution, the quality of its implementation, and its usefulness beyond simply incorporating an AI tool.
Most Innovative Project
For projects that stand out through originality, creative thinking, and a fresh approach to solving a problem. Judges will consider the uniqueness of the idea, the creativity of the solution, and how effectively the team transforms its concept into a compelling project.
Best Wildcard Project
For the unexpected, unconventional, and delightfully different projects! This category celebrates ideas that don't necessarily fit into traditional categories but demonstrate creativity, experimentation, entertainment value, or an imaginative approach to building something new. Surprise us!
Devpost Achievements
Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:
Judges
Michael Hegedus
Professor @ SFU
Matthew Stewart
Lecturer at SFU
Samin Moradkhan
SoC Design Engineer @ Intel
Colton Koop
SoC Logic Design Engineer @ Intel
Jen Gu
SoC Design Engineer @ Intel
Christie Lueng
Forward Deployed Engineer @ Meaningful
Raymond Shen
Prev. Embedded Security Engineer @ AMD
Judging Criteria
-
Creativity Innovation and Uniqueness of Solution
-
Functionality
-
Impact
-
Problem
-
Quality of Pitch
Questions? Email the hackathon manager
Tell your friends
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.