Design together.
Form a team across hardware, software and design. Define a problem and map out the prototype.
Build a working
hardware prototype.
Engineering, computer science and commerce students meet at UBC for a weekend of hands-on building.
- Participants
- 400
- Teams
- 100
- Hours
- 36
Build and test.
Connect sensors, code and physical parts. Test the prototype and refine the design.
Show your work.
Demonstrate your prototype to judges, industry partners and other builders. Explain the decisions behind it.
Project areas
Robotics Autonomous systems Consumer hardware Sustainability
Participant profile.
Projected breakdown for 400 participants.
By program
- Electrical & Computer Engineering
- 30%
- Mechanical Engineering & related disciplines
- 20%
- Computer Science
- 40%
- Commerce & other programs
- 10%
Year of study
- First year
- 15%
- Second year
- 25%
- Third year
- 30%
- Fourth year+
- 25%
- Graduate
- 5%
Partner with
ForgeHacks.
Connect with students from UBC design teams, engineering programs and the robotics community.
Meet the builders.
See how students solve problems and work together. Connect through demos, sponsor booths and opt-in participant resumes.
Introduce your hardware.
Bring development boards, tools or an engineering challenge. Let teams test your technology in a working prototype.
Share your expertise.
Lead a technical workshop, mentor teams as they build, or help judge the finished projects.
Support the event.
Contribute funding, hardware or services toward participant equipment, meals, venues and prizes.
Organized by
UBC BizTech.
UBC BizTech runs conferences, hackathons and accelerators connecting students with industry. ForgeHacks is our first dedicated hardware hackathon.
Meet UBC BizTech
924BizTech members
1.3M+Annual social views
CUS Club of the Year 2024/25
CUS Conference of the Year 2024/25 & 2025/26
Questions.
When and where is ForgeHacks?
February 26–28, 2027 at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC, with 36 hours of building.
Who is ForgeHacks for?
Students across engineering, computer science and commerce, including UBC design team members and FIRST/VEX robotics alumni. Teams combine hardware, software and design skills.
What will teams build?
Working physical prototypes. Projects can span robotics, autonomous systems, consumer hardware and sustainability, using sensors, microcontrollers and fabrication tools.
Can we contribute hardware or expertise?
Yes. We welcome hardware, tools, fabrication credits and technical workshops alongside monetary sponsorship. Contact Stella to discuss your team’s involvement.