UW-Green Bay Launches Annual Hackathon Event
The 24-hour competition provides students a new venue to build software projects using AI-assisted coding tools.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Cybersecurity
Live Poll
Do you believe hackathons are effective at helping students develop practical skills for their future careers?
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay recently hosted its inaugural 24-hour hackathon, HackGB, at the STEM Innovation Center. The event brought together 58 groups from 11 colleges to develop software projects focused on social issues.
Why it matters
The event provides a venue for students to demonstrate applied technical skills outside traditional coursework, with organizers aiming to bridge the gap between classroom theory and industry-ready development.
Participants at the 24-hour competition utilized AI-assisted coding tools to improve software accessibility. Projects were developed from scratch, competing for a total prize pool of $5,000.
The players
UW-Green Bay
A public university in Wisconsin that focuses on undergraduate research and STEM-based community initiatives.
404 Network
An event organization collective that coordinates technical competitions for computer science students.
Google Developer Group
An international community of software developers supported by Google that provides resources for building on company platforms.
The details
HackGB challenged student teams to build software prototypes addressing social issues within a strict 24-hour window. Participants employed AI-assisted coding tools—software platforms that leverage machine learning models to suggest code snippets and automate repetitive programming tasks—to enhance project accessibility and functionality. The projects were evaluated on their technical execution and ability to address real-world problems.
Timeline
October 17-18, 2026: The 24-hour hackathon occurred at UW-Green Bay.
Early 2027: Applications for HackGB 2027 will open.
The Tech Race
HackGB follows the broader industry trend of expanding student-led technical competitions to regional hubs beyond traditional coastal university centers. The initiative at the STEM Innovation Center highlights a push by smaller institutions to formalize talent pipelines into the software engineering workforce.
Computer science students and local technology firms can expect this event to become an annual fixture for recruitment and project demonstration. The transition to an annual schedule provides a predictable timeframe for future participation and sponsorship engagement.
The takeaway
This inaugural event establishes a new framework for regional skill-building that students should track for future competitive opportunities. Watch for official application windows in early 2027 to see if the prize pool or university participation count increases next year.
What happens next
Applications for the next iteration of the event, HackGB 2027, are scheduled to open in early 2027.
Further reading
For more developments in regional technical competitions, visit Cybersecurity.
More information
For full details on the competition, visit the HackGB event website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Inside UW-Green Bay News.
Live Poll
Do you believe hackathons are effective at helping students develop practical skills for their future careers?
