Tacoma, WA – September 17, 2026 -- Sound Credit Union and the University of Washington Tacoma Milgard Center for Business Analytics will host the second annual HuskyHack fintech competition on October 17, 2026, offering a $15,000 grand prize to the winning team.
Student Teams Get 24 Hours to Build Fintech Solutions
Students from colleges and universities across Washington State will compete individually or in teams at the University of Washington Tacoma campus. Participants have 24 hours to develop a product, prototype, or concept aimed at helping consumers manage their finances with greater confidence while building trust in financial services. The specific challenge topic will be disclosed at the opening ceremony.
Two-Phase Judging Structure Rewards Early Progress and Final Execution
In Phase One, students present initial concepts to a judging panel, with the top three submissions each receiving a $1,000 award. Teams then refine their projects before submitting final solutions for Phase Two evaluation. A panel of business leaders, mentors, and industry experts will assess entries on technical execution, functionality, user experience, scalability, and presentation quality.
Winning Team Secures $15,000 and Six-Month CoMotion Labs Membership
The top overall project earns a $15,000 grand prize, mentorship opportunities, expert coaching, and a six-month membership to CoMotion Labs. Winners will also gain access to potential partnerships to help advance their concepts toward market viability.
Sound Credit Union Vice President of Public Relations Jennifer Reed said last year's inaugural event exceeded expectations, with participants delivering creative solutions to real financial challenges. Milgard Center for Business Analytics Director Michael Turek said the event connects students with industry professionals and mentors to turn ideas into solutions with tangible potential to improve financial lives.
Sound Credit Union operates 26 full-service branches across the Puget Sound area, serving more than 185,000 members. Registration for HuskyHack is open on the event website.