Tommie Buildfest 2026 | University of St. Thomas

Our Mission

AI for the Common Good

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 Center for Common Good at UST and TommieShelf, 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.

17 Projects Submitted

24 Hours of Hacking

50+ Participants

Students joined us from Mankato State University, University of Minnesota, and the Twin Cities!

👩‍🎓

Who Can Participate?

High school, undergraduate, graduate students. All skill levels welcome!

👨‍💼

Mentorship

Working professionals can join as mentors to guide teams and share their expertise throughout the event.

Our Judges

Meet the Experts

Thank you to our judges for evaluating projects and selecting the winners.

👩‍⚖️

Kate Hagen

Judge

👨‍⚖️

Dustin Killpack

Judge

👨‍⚖️

Justin Trantham

Judge

🏆Winners

Celebrating Innovation

Meet the teams that built solutions making a real difference in our community.

🥇 First Place

Sofa

Sofa syncs your EBT balance and family preferences to build smart meal plans—so Minnesota single parents can cook once, eat twice, waste nothing, and stress less.

React Tailwind FastAPI Claude AI

View Project

🥈 Second Place

CarryOn

A Twin Cities Food Delivery Network for People In Need powered by University Volunteers. Matching food bank recipients with volunteer drivers across the Twin Cities.

Next.js TypeScript Firebase Mapbox

View Project

🥉 Third Place

RoutesForGood

A minimalist delivery platform that bridges the "last mile" of food security. Students order essential items privately, and drivers deliver them directly to dorms or campus locations.

React Supabase TypeScript Lovable

View Project

Thank You to All Participants!

From students at Mankato State University and University of Minnesota to local hackers, thank you for making Tommie Buildfest 2026 a success!

View All Projects

Event Timeline

Schedule

Friday, February 20th, 2026 • Woulfe Alumni Hall

8:00 PM 1.5 hrs

Opening Ceremony & Team Formation

Check-in, find your spot, grab snacks, and meet fellow hackers.

10:00 PM 🚀

Workshops and Hacking Begins!

Kickoff talks, sponsor introductions, and the official start of the hackathon. Red Bull provided! ☕

12:00 AM 1 hr

Activity Break

Refuel with late night snacks. DDR, Wii games and Just Dance breaks.

2:00 AM 2 hrs

Debugging Workshop and Office Hours

Learn how to debug your code and get help from our student mentors.

6:00 AM 1 hr

Sunrise Yoga and Brainstorming

A morning of yoga and brainstorming to get your creative juices flowing again.

8:00 AM 🥞

Breakfast

Breakfast and networking to help you lock in.

10:00 AM 2 hrs

Sponsor Panels and Networking

Learn from our sponsors and network with other hackers.

12:00 PM 🥪

Lunch

Learn from our sponsors and network with other hackers.

1:00 PM 3 hr

Sponsor Panels and Networking

Learn from our sponsors and network with other hackers.

5:00 PM 2 hr

Hacking Ends and Submission Deadline

Submit your projects and celebrate the end of the hackathon.

6:00 PM 2 hr

Dinner and Judging

Eat, drink, and be merry while the projects are judged.

8:00 PM 🎉

Awards Ceremony 🏆

Celebrate the winning teams and their innovative solutions!

Questions?

FAQ

Who can participate?

High school, undergraduate, graduate students are all welcome! Working professionals can participate as mentors.

Do I need coding experience?

No! We welcome all skill levels. Many successful hackathon projects combine design, business, and technical skills. Mentors will be available to help.

Is this free?

Yes! Tommie Buildfest is completely free to attend. We provide meals, snacks, and refreshments throughout the event.

Do I need a team?

You can register solo or with a team. We'll have team formation activities at the start if you're looking for teammates!

Can students from other schools attend?

Absolutely! We welcome students from all schools. External participants will need to complete a verification process during registration.

What should I bring?

Bring your laptop, charger, and any hardware you want to use. We'll provide power strips, food, and a great atmosphere!

Are minors allowed?

Yes! high school students are welcome. Participants under 18 will need a parent/guardian consent form.

What's the theme?

We're focusing on AI and technology solutions to help reduce nutrition deficits in our community, in partnership with Loaves and Fishes and Tommie FoodShelf.