Hack the North 2022: In pictures

For the first time since 2019, Hack the North was held in person at the University of Waterloo. The student-run hackathon, launched in 2014, began Friday night and continued through to Sunday afternoon. It is one of the biggest events of its kind in the world, drawing more than 1,000 students from numerous countries.

The following is a selection of photos taken over the three days by Anthony Reinhart of Communitech.

For more Hack the North 2022 coverage, see our stories from the opening and closing ceremonies.

Setting the table at the Help Desk

Enjoying a warm Friday evening before the hacking begins

Filing into Engineering 7

Participants mingle with sponsors (below) in Engineering 7

Checking out the sponsor and partner booths

Communitech swag flying off the table

Jenga!

Entering Laurier's Lazaridis Hall for the opening ceremonies

Waiting for the show to begin

Hearing from sponsor ETHGlobal, which was started by Hack the North's founders

Resting up before the presentations – and the hacking – begin

Sponsor swag from RBC!

Waiting for will.i.am to drop in for the keynote

will.i.am, Grammy-winning musician and tech enthusiast, addresses the crowd.

Taking in the keynote from the balcony at Lazaridis Hall

Relaxing with a puzzle back at Engineering 7

Meeting of minds as the hacking is set to begin

Pointing the way to one of the many, many hacking spaces in Engineering 7

Vital information for a weekend-long hackathon

Hackers ascend the stairs as the first night falls.

Fuelling up on Day 2

Hacking in the hardware lab

Hacking and snacking – they just go together

Working it out on the whiteboard

A hive of activity (hacktivity?) on Saturday afternoon

Sponsors at work

Focus time in the quiet spaces

Concentration

Sleeping in shifts is one way to approach it.

Activities are always at hand during breaks from the hacking.

Workshops were available to help hackers through their challenges.

Follow the arrows!

A bit of advice can go a long, long way.

Serious work or a few laughs – why not both?

Will this idea fly?

Team bonding session at the photo booth

Teams toil into the wee hours of Sunday morning as the finish line nears.

Contemplation – and snacks close at hand.

Maybe this'll work...

Down for a quick recharge

These benches are surprisingly comfy.

No pressure.

Pierogies for the win!

The Navcare team, the first of 12 finalists, fires up the crowd as the closing ceremony kicks off.

Britafull, a finalist team, developed a system to remind your roommate to refill the water jug.

The crowd was riveted.

The finalists take the stage at Lazaridis Hall.

Hack the North Co-Directors Jessica Zhang (left) and Oana Binder wrap things up.

Filing out of Lazaridis Hall to head back to E7

Saying goodbye after an intense few days

Heading to the exit, past the stacks of chairs

Catching a team photo to look back on

And one in front of the big sign

Don't miss your bus!!

Tearing down the sponsor bay

Empty slippers and a full whiteboard

Peace out!

Gone, just like that

Let's see...do I have everything?

All that's left is to take down the tent.

Another successful Hack the North, put to bed. See you next year!