The newest hackathon, for Canadian builders

The newest hackathon, for Canadian builders

November 2025

November 2025

Vancouver

Vancouver

Vancouver

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About ctrl+alt+build

Learn how to build like it's 2025 - in Canada.

ctrl+alt+build is where Canada’s boldest builders come to throw out the rulebook and solve problems that actually matter — here, at home.


This isn’t your average hackathon. It’s a 24 hour sprint where founders, hackers, creatives, and misfits from across the country collide to tackle real Canadian challenges using the best AI tools out there — and actually learn how to use them. Come solo or with a team, and in just one intense weekend, you’ll go from zero to “holy sh*t, we built this?”


Let’s build where we live. Let’s build better.

ctrl+alt+build is where Canada’s boldest builders come to throw out the rulebook and solve problems that actually matter — here, at home.

This isn’t your average hackathon. It’s a 24 hour sprint where founders, hackers, creatives, and misfits from across the country collide to tackle real Canadian challenges using the best AI tools out there — and actually learn how to use them. Come solo or with a team, and in just one intense weekend, you’ll go from zero to “holy sh*t, we built this?”

Let’s build where we live. Let’s build better.

Idea & Problem Tracks

Solve for what matters in Canada.

This isn’t plug-and-play problem solving. It’s build-what-matters innovation. We’ve ditched the cookie-cutter themes and built problem tracks that reflect the real challenges across Canada.

And one weekend to build something that actually matters.

This isn’t plug-and-play problem solving. It’s build-what-matters innovation. We’ve ditched the cookie-cutter themes and built problem tracks that reflect the real challenges across Canada.
And one weekend to build something that actually matters.

Track 01

Rebuild the System

Reimagine government services, healthcare access, or funding tools (think SR&ED, procurement, immigration, mental health, and beyond).

01

Rebuild the System

Reimagine government services, healthcare access, or funding tools (think SR&ED, procurement, immigration, mental health, and beyond).

Track 02

For the Underdogs

Build for the overlooked: non-profit leaders, solo founders, remote regions, and underrepresented voices.

Track 02

For the Underdogs

Build for the overlooked: non-profit leaders, solo founders, remote regions, and underrepresented voices.

Track 03

Small Towns, Big Tech

Use AI to boost rural businesses, Indigenous communities, and local economies. Think civic tech, digital tourism, and broadband innovation.

Track 03

Small Towns, Big Tech

Use AI to boost rural businesses, Indigenous communities, and local economies. Think civic tech, digital tourism, and broadband innovation.

Hackathon agenda.

See What You’ll Build, Break, and Ship

CTRL

Resetting how you think about startups.

CTRL

Resetting how you think about startups.

Kickoff, problem framing & team formation

Start strong with an orientation, a crash course on spotting real problems (not just ideas), and form your team (or go solo) based on what you actually want to build.

User-First: Validate before you build

Before you write a single line of code or open a design file, learn how to test your assumptions, build your ICP, and validate your idea with real humans.

Tool up: Your AI stack for building smarter

Get hands-on with the tools that’ll help you ship 10x faster — from AI-powered user research to no-code MVP builders. You’ll walk away knowing exactly how to execute, not just ideate.

ALT

Shift from idea to execution.

ALT

Shift from idea to execution.

Workshop: Build something ugly, fast

Learn what scrappy execution really looks like. Forget polish — your goal is a working prototype that solves one real problem for one real user.

Build + test sprint

Use your tool stack to bring your idea to life. Whether it’s a landing page, chatbot, or working flow — build it, ship it, and put it in front of real people before the day is out.

Live feedback loops + mentor circles

Book time with devs, founders, and operators to gut-check your build. You’ll get unfiltered feedback, quick fixes, and maybe even your first users.

BUILD

Ship it, show it, scale it.

BUILD

Ship it, show it, scale it.

Polish & prep

Refine your build, run user flows, gather last-minute feedback — and get your story straight. You’ll learn how to show what you built, not just talk about it.

Demo time

Pitch without the pitch deck. Every team gets 3 minutes to walk through what they built, who it’s for, and what changed over the weekend. Judges and community vote on what actually moved the needle.

Awards, wrap up, what's next

Celebrate the chaos, crown the winners, and get tactical advice on how to keep building after the weekend — even if you don’t have funding (yet).

FAQs.

Have questions? We answered.

Do I need to have a team to register?

How many people can be on a team?

What is the hackathon tech stack?

Who can participate?

How can I become a sponsor?

Do I need to have a team to register?

How many people can be on a team?

What is the hackathon tech stack?

Who can participate?

How can I become a sponsor?

Do I need to have a team to register?

How many people can be on a team?

What is the hackathon tech stack?

Who can participate?

How can I become a sponsor?

Registration & tickets.

Secure Your Spot at
ctrl+alt+build today!

Solo Registration

For participants registering solo. Meet others and team up before the hackathon starts.

Entry to opening + closing ceremonies

Access to all hackathon tracks and challenges

Access to hackathon tech stack + tools

Participant welcome kit

Early Bird

$0

Single admission

Register

Team Registration

For participants registering as an existing team (up to 4 people).

4 Full-Access Passes

1 Dedicated Team Manager

Access to hackathon tech stack + tools

Participant welcome kit

Early Bird

$49

Up to 4 Team Members

Register

Corporate Team Registration

Perfect for companies or teams attending together. Includes access for 4 members and group perks.

4 Full-Access Passes, plus 1 Media/Marketing Pass

VIP Perks

Event & Team Branding Opportunities

Specialized Promotion & Features

Early Bird

$1,249

Up to 4 Team Members

Register

Solo Registration

For participants registering solo. Meet others and team up before the hackathon starts.

Entry to opening + closing ceremonies

Access to all hackathon tracks and challenges

Access to hackathon tech stack + tools

Participant welcome kit

Early Bird

$0

Single admission

Register

Team Registration

For participants registering as an existing team (up to 4 people).

4 Full-Access Passes

1 Dedicated Team Manager

Access to hackathon tech stack + tools

Participant welcome kit

Early Bird

$49

Up to 4 Team Members

Register

Corporate Team Registration

Perfect for companies or teams attending together. Includes access for 4 members and group perks.

4 Full-Access Passes, plus 1 Media/Marketing Pass

VIP Perks

Event & Team Branding Opportunities

Specialized Promotion & Features

Early Bird

$1,249

Up to 4 Team Members

Register

Solo Registration

For participants registering solo. Meet others and team up before the hackathon starts.

Entry to opening + closing ceremonies

Access to all hackathon tracks and challenges

Access to hackathon tech stack + tools

Participant welcome kit

Early Bird

$0

Single admission

Register

Team Registration

For participants registering as an existing team (up to 4 people).

4 Full-Access Passes

1 Dedicated Team Manager

Access to hackathon tech stack + tools

Participant welcome kit

Early Bird

$49

Up to 4 Team Members

Register

Corporate Team Registration

Perfect for companies or teams attending together. Includes access for 4 members and group perks.

4 Full-Access Passes, plus 1 Media/Marketing Pass

VIP Perks

Event & Team Branding Opportunities

Specialized Promotion & Features

Early Bird

$1,249

Up to 4 Team Members

Register

Sponsors & Partners.

Be part of the Canadian shift.

Whether you’re a funder, support organization or collaborator — reach out. We’re looking for partners who believe in real builders, not buzzwords.

If you’re down to support the next generation of Canadian innovators — let’s chat.

hello@foundedincanada.com