AF Hacks: Growing Canada by Ascendance Foundry and WVG

AF Hacks: Growing Canada, on campus in Waterloo Calling all builders fueling Canadian competitiveness, productivity and infrastructure Join us for a 24-hour hackathon Get invited from WVG, pitch your idea to a panel that grills you like VCs like you're founding a real company, and (if you’re one of the lucky winners) take home a $2,000 cash prize, land a co-op interview and enjoy dinner at Proof Kitchen and Lounge on us. DevPost for Submissions: https://ascendance-foundry-s-hackathon.devpost.com/ Location: QNC Building at the University of Waterloo What to expect SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26Day 1: Kickoff, Teams & Build Open only to confirmed hackers 10:00 AM | Team introductions & mixers10:30 AM | Ascendance Foundry introduction & hackathon overview11:00 AM | Fireside: Career advice & co-op hiring. Panelist: Dr. Ian Burgess12:00 PM | Hackathon kickoff + pizza lunchAfternoon → Evening | Build, collaborate & get feedback SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27Day 2: Demo & Pitch Day Pitch presentations are open to the public 12:00 PM | Builds submitted1:00 PM | Industry panel: Deepen your moat and solve a real problem2:00 PM | Demo + pitch to the judging panel. Panelists and Judges: Dr. Ian Burgess & MP Bardish Chagger6:00 PM | Closing dinner for top teams at Proof Kitchen + Lounge (TBD) The theme: Growing Canada We’re looking for ideas that move Canada forward. Build something that makes Canadian companies more competitive, government more efficient, infrastructure stronger, or helps people build, produce and get more done. Think: economic growth, productivity, infrastructure, AI adoption, industrial capacity and nation-building. If your idea could help Canada compete harder, build faster or produce more, we want to see it. Questions about scope? Email [email protected] or [email protected]. Prizes & perks 🏆 $2,000 cash prize for the winning team 💼 Fellowship or co-op interviews for the top 3 teams 🍽️ Invite-only closing dinner at Proof Kitchen + Lounge Getting in We’re intentionally keeping the room small and curated, creating more of a think tank-feel so you can take your idea far with mentors. Invited directly by a Waterloo Venture Group executive?You’re automatically in. Add their name to your application. Want to get invited?Reach out to a WVG executive for a coffee chat and tell us what you’re building. Otherwise:Submit a 1-minute video application pitching your idea to [email protected] to be considered for a spot. Once sent, apply here with your information. About Ascendance Foundry Ascendance Foundry is an AI consultancy and development firm built around apprenticeship. For students who are already AI-literate, the Ascendance Fellowship is a chance to take ownership of AI-focused consulting and development engagements alongside founders, executives and technical leaders with placements at top Canadian companies. Learn more: www.ascendancefoundry.com About Waterloo Venture Group WVG is a student venture community and talent network based out of Waterloo, providing pro-bono consultancy for founders from ideation through Series A. Collectively, we’ve supported ventures in raising $8.8M+, hosted flagship programming on founder education, and curated the rooms where teams form and hires happen. Ready to build or partner? Contact the WVG team.