Hack Western is Western University's annual hackathon and one of the largest student-led hackathons in Canada. Founded in 2014, Hack Western’s mission has been to foster an approachable and accessible environment for students from all backgrounds to learn about technology.
The 11th annual Hack Western took place from November 29 to December 1, 2024, welcoming over 400 students from across North America for a high-energy weekend filled with innovation, creativity, and community-building. This year’s travel-themed event, under the tagline “Where Ideas Take Flight,” encouraged participants to push boundaries and explore new frontiers in tech. Over the course of 36 hours, teams of up to four built and submitted 62 impressive projects — ranging from mobile apps and AI tools to interactive games.
In addition to hands-on hacking, Hack Western 11 offered a diverse lineup of workshops covering topics such as machine learning, UX design, resume building, and recruiting tips. Attendees could also take part in wellness-focused activities like letter writing and spending time with therapy dogs, providing a space for both rest and inspiration.
This year’s winning projects highlighted the wide-ranging talent and creativity on display. The first-place project, BravoDispatch, is a computer-aided dispatch application designed to help operators manage emergency calls more efficiently. PacRoyale, a Pac-Man-inspired gambling game that uses smart contracts, took home the Best Use of Blockchain prize, presented by Starknet. SolarScope, which earned Best Hardware Hack, integrates AR with Arduino sensors to help architects visualize solar energy use in real time. All projects and winners can be found here.
Beyond the code, what truly set Hack Western 11 apart was the sense of growth, mentorship, and discovery that filled every room. Many students reported that it was their first time building a project, while others seized the opportunity to mentor peers, experiment with bold new ideas, or reconnect with the tech community.
A huge thank you to all the participating hackers, sponsors, mentors, volunteers and judges for making Hack Western 11 possible. Scotiabank is a Diamond-tier sponsor for Hack Western and plays an integral role in creating learning opportunities in technology for hundreds of students each year. Congratulations to the Hack Western 11 organizing team for another unforgettable weekend where ideas truly took flight.
