About

Who we are

A Canadian nonprofit that helps early innovators use emerging tech to solve complex problems, through hackathons, competitions, and hands-on events.

Mission

To help early innovators use emerging tech to solve complex problems.

Vision

A future where solving problems is not the outcome of education, but part of the process.

values

Community: we build in teams and across disciplines, with shared accountability for what we make.

Accessibility: we keep our programs free, our language plain, and our tools within reach, whatever your background.

Courage: we take on hard, undefined problems in emerging tech and iterate toward something real.To help early innovators use emerging tech to solve complex problems.

Our story

NAT began in [2019] as a small group of students passionate about neurotechnology, an emerging field with the potential to reshape human-computer interaction, healthcare, and more. Neurotech and other emerging technologies remain hard to access for many, especially young people from underrepresented groups. To close that gap, we have dedicated countless volunteer hours to making them more accessible. What started as a student-led initiative is now a nonprofit with [3] city chapters.

2019

NAT founded at the University of Alberta. First events and hack nights.

2020

Workshops and event programming begin. Planning starts for the first natHacks.

2021

NAT becomes a registered nonprofit, runs the first natHacks, and adds a chapter at UCalgary.

2022

ULethbridge joins the network. NAT reaches $[100,000] in total funding.

2023

The team grows past [20] members, funding surpasses $[250,000], and NAT receives the ASTech Award for Community Initiatives.

How we're organized

We operate across two interconnected layers: our Core Team and our Affiliate Network. The Core Team leads strategy, programs, and operations. Affiliates drive local engagement by hosting events, workshops, and activities for their communities.

Four ways to get involved

For students, organizations, professionals, or partners; choose your path with us.

Students

Students and recent grads: join a competition or a hands-on night, build a real prototype with a team, and learn emerging tech by doing.

Organizations

Bring a real-world challenge to a hackathon as a Problem Provider and guide a team toward a working solution.

Professionals

.Advise, judge, or mentor teams. Give your expertise to builders working at the edge of emerging tech.

Partners

Sponsor programs and engage emerging talent. Fund the hardware, events, and mentorship behind the work.