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.
Submissions
DevPost Link: https://ascendance-foundry-s-hackathon.devpost.com/
Demo video: A video (maximum 5 minutes) covering: the purpose of your app, the value it brings to your target user group, and a walkthrough of the tool and each of its features.
GitHub repository: A link to your repo. Requirements:
All PRs and changes must be merged into a single main branch by submission time.
The repository must be public so we can pull it.
Location: QNC Building, 1502 at the University of Waterloo
What to expect
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
Day 1: Kickoff, Teams & Build
Open only to confirmed hackers
10:00 AM | Team introductions & mixers
10:30 AM | Ascendance Foundry introduction & hackathon overview
11:00 AM | Fireside: Career advice & co-op hiring. Panelist: Dr. Ian Burgess
12:00 PM | Hackathon kickoff + pizza lunch
Afternoon → Evening | Build, collaborate & get feedback
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
Day 2: Demo & Pitch Day
Pitch presentations are open to the public
12:00 PM | Builds submitted
1:00 PM | Industry panel: learn about problems in tech and politics & top ten teams for demos and dinner invitations announced
2:00 PM | Demo + pitch to the judging panel. Panelists and Judges: Dr. Ian Burgess & MP Bardish Chagger
6:00 PM | Closing dinner for top teams at Proof Kitchen + Lounge
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 waterloovg@gmail.com or ethan@ascendancefoundry.com.
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 info@ascendancefoundry.com to be considered for a spot. Once sent, apply here with your information.
Exciting update! Powered by ElevenLabs
For all participants: 1 month free of our Creator tier (normally $22/month, 131k credits)
Overall winning team: Each team member receives 3 months of our Pro tier ($297 value/team member, 600k credits/mo)
Best Project Built with ElevenLabs: Each team member receives 3 months of our Scale tier ($897 value/team member, 1.8M credits/mo)
If interested in competing in the ElevenLabs hacker track, please review their hacker guide here.
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.