24 hours of building for the common good.
Reducing nutrition deficits in our local community
using the power of AI and creative problem solving.
Tommie Buildfest is a 17-hour hackathon bringing together students from all backgrounds to build technology solutions that address food insecurity and nutrition challenges in our community.
In partnership with Loaves and Fishes and The Food Group, we're aligning AI and technology for the common good—creating tools that help families stretch their food budgets, plan nutritious meals, and connect with resources they need.
The Nexus AI Club is a recognized student club at the University of St. Thomas, but this website is not sponsored by the University of St. Thomas.
High school, undergraduate, graduate students. All skill levels welcome!
Working professionals can join as mentors to guide teams and share their expertise throughout the event.
Choose a track or create your own solution to help reduce nutrition deficits in our community.
Build an app to help families track their SNAP benefits, plan meals, and discover recipes that maximize their food budget.
Create tools that provide nutrition breakdowns for meals tailored to low-income families with limited resources.
Build a platform aggregating research on the impact of nutrition on learning and academic performance.
Develop internal tools for food banks and nonprofits to track inventory, predict demand, and optimize distribution.
Friday, February 20th, 2026 • Woulfe Alumni Hall
Check-in, find your spot, grab snacks, and meet fellow hackers.
Kickoff talks, sponsor introductions, and the official start of the hackathon. Red Bull provided! ☕
Refuel with late night snacks. DDR, Wii games and Just Dance breaks.
Learn how to debug your code and get help from our student mentors.
A morning of yoga and brainstorming to get your creative juices flowing again.
Breakfast and networking to help you lock in.
Learn from our sponsors and network with other hackers.
Learn from our sponsors and network with other hackers.
Learn from our sponsors and network with other hackers.
Submit your projects and celebrate the end of the hackathon.
Eat, drink, and be merry while the projects are judged.
Celebrate the winning teams and their innovative solutions!
High school, undergraduate, graduate students are all welcome! Working professionals can participate as mentors.
No! We welcome all skill levels. Many successful hackathon projects combine design, business, and technical skills. Mentors will be available to help.
Yes! Tommie Buildfest is completely free to attend. We provide meals, snacks, and refreshments throughout the event.
You can register solo or with a team. We'll have team formation activities at the start if you're looking for teammates!
Absolutely! We welcome students from all schools. External participants will need to complete a verification process during registration.
Bring your laptop, charger, and any hardware you want to use. We'll provide power strips, food, and a great atmosphere!
Yes! high school students are welcome. Participants under 18 will need a parent/guardian consent form.
We're focusing on AI and technology solutions to help reduce nutrition deficits in our community, in partnership with Loaves and Fishes and The Food Group.
Join us for 24 hours of innovation, collaboration, and impact. Help us create technology that makes a real difference in our community.