Network of Applied Technologies
Emerging tech meets problem-solving
NAT is a Canadian nonprofit that fosters interdisciplinary learning and innovation in emerging technology, through hackathons, competitions, and hands-on community events.
The numbers behind the work
Real work by real people. Every figure is current and verified.
2500+
Participants
Our programs are consistently rated highly by hundreds of participants each year.
4/5
Participant rating
Our community spans students, researchers, and professionals from across Canada and beyond.
95%
Learned something new
Hands-on learning works. We help people gain practical skills and real-world experience.
250+
Prototypes
Every prototype solves a real problem, from mental health to mobility to aging.
19
active projects
Projects launched at NAT continue as startups, academic research, and community initiatives.
upcoming events
Build with us
Our events are made for curious minds and creative problem-solvers. Come learn, collaborate, and build in a supportive setting.
natHacks 2023
November 17, 2023
A hybrid hackathon run across Edmonton, Calgary, Lethbridge, and online.
natHacks 2024
November 15, 2024
Alberta's largest neurotechnology hackathon, run over 64 hours at the University of Alberta.
Demo Night: Bio-Sensors
February 8, 2025
A hands-on build session with bio-sensors including EMG, ECG and EOG. No experience needed.
Demo Night: Smart Sensing
May 16, 2025
Build a motion-triggered alert system with sensors, LEDs and a microcontroller.
Demo Night: Agents and You
July 5, 2025
An introduction to AI agents through real examples and the technology behind them.
natIgnite 2025
August 8, 2025
The first AgeTech edition of natIgnite, building solutions for the aging population.
Demo Night: Agents and You (August)
August 29, 2025
Explore what AI agents are, how they communicate, and how they can enhance human life.
natHacks 2025
November 7, 2025
A 64-hour innovation sprint across MedTech, EdTech and EcoTech, with over $30,000 in seed funding.
natIgnite 2026
May 8, 2026
A 40-hour accessibility competition pairing every team with a community Problem Provider.
Summer Alumni Build Series: Session 1
July 16, 2026
The opening session of the bi-weekly build series for teams continuing post-competition projects.
Summer Alumni Build Series: Session 3
August 13, 2026
The third session of the bi-weekly build series for teams continuing post-competition projects.
Summer Alumni Build Series: Session 4
August 27, 2026
The final summer session of the bi-weekly build series for continuing project teams.
natHacks 2026
November 6, 2026
NAT's 64-hour flagship hackathon returns November 6 to 9, 2026. Volunteer sign-up is open.
Get involved
Our partners
Share our commitment to the next generation of innovators. Their support makes our work possible.
Testimonials
Hear from our community
I had a competent team working on our project and we ended up hiring one of the students for a summer internship to further develop the project.
Problem Provider
Problem Provider
The experience was amazing and I got all I wanted from it. Thank you for the opportunities not only to learn from typically inaccessible hardware but for the sponsors and providing possible career choices.
Participant
Participant
Overall, it was a great event. The idea of an educational sprint was awesome, lots of accessible resources, organizers were always willing to help, great speakers, and more.
Participant
Participant
natHacks has given me knowledge, friends, confidence in my work, academic opportunities, deeper passion for BCI technologies, and irreplaceable experience.
Participant
Participant
I have never participated in a hackathon before, but it seemed like a great way to apply scientific theory to a real world problem. I joined because I wanted to see more practical applications of neurotech, which ended up being amazing! It was also an opportunity for me, as a science student, to learn more about website development, coding, Unity, and more.
Participant
Participant
I wanted to develop my career and resume and learn a new skill. My passion lies in building and fixing things and that's exactly what I got. Thank you.
Participant
Participant
It was a great learning opportunity for me and I had a great, supportive team who could make it happen!
Participant
Participant
It was great! I learned new stuff, met a great team, and socialized in some sessions during the educational sprint.
Participant
Participant
I had a really great time creating something cool with my teammates. The choice of food was good and the hackathon was well run.
Participant
Participant
The hacking was fun, and I'm grateful for the chance to work with such cool hardware.
Participant
Participant
It was an amazing experience. There was a great amount of workshops, the venue was really accessible, participants were well fed, and the coffee table was such a cool idea! So overall really great event.
Participant
Participant
The whole event was very fun and interesting! I really appreciated how open the volunteers were and how helpful all the guests and staff were.
Participant
Participant
All the volunteers and mentors were extremely supportive and the overall environment was great.
Participant
Participant
There were many mentors and workshops, a lot of learning, and a lot of socializing. The participants were friendly and the event itself was fun.
Participant
Participant
You are very cool to do such things! It is very inspiring. I hope that this area will develop even more in the future, and you will be part of it!
Participant
Participant
Join our community
We will keep you updated on events, initiatives, and opportunities in emerging tech.