UW-Green Bay Hosts First Annual HackGB Competition
Students from 11 colleges gathered at the STEM Innovation Center for a 24-hour coding challenge.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Cybersecurity
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The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay successfully hosted its inaugural HackGB event, drawing 58 groups to the campus. Participants spent 24 hours developing projects focused on social issues using AI-assisted coding tools.
Why it matters
The event aims to provide computer science students with a platform to demonstrate technical skills outside the classroom. Organizers created the competition to expand regional opportunities for students to engage in collaborative innovation.
The hackathon featured 10 corporate sponsors and provided over $5,000 in total prize money. Students from 11 different universities and colleges utilized AI-assisted coding tools to improve software accessibility during the 24-hour window.
The players
UW-Green Bay
The public university located in Green Bay served as the host institution for the inaugural hackathon event.
404 Network
This organization collaborated with the Google Developer Group to coordinate and execute the university hackathon.
Google Developer Group
A global community of developers supported by Google that partnered to organize the HackGB event.
The details
The event was organized by 404 Network and Google Developer Group to foster technical development. Teams were tasked with building projects from scratch that addressed various social challenges.
Timeline
The 24-hour hackathon occurred at UW-Green Bay from October 17-18, 2026.
Applications for HackGB 2027 are expected to open in early 2027.
The Tech Race
The use of AI-assisted coding tools reflects a broader shift toward integrating generative artificial intelligence in rapid prototyping and software engineering education. This positions students to better align their skill sets with the evolving requirements of the modern tech workforce.
The university's focus on accessibility through student projects can lead to more inclusive software solutions for local users. Students participating in these events gain practical experience that translates into improved workforce readiness for the regional job market.
The takeaway
Students looking to build their technical portfolios should prioritize hands-on collaborative events that offer real-world social applications. Developing expertise in AI-assisted tools during these competitions provides a competitive advantage in the current professional landscape.
What happens next
University officials intend to make HackGB an annual competition, with applications for the 2027 event scheduled to open in early 2027.
Further reading
For more on the latest trends in software development and security, visit the Cybersecurity section.
More information
For additional details on future events, visit the HackGB event website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Inside UW-Green Bay News.
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