The 2026 Cornell Food Hackathon - November 6, 7 and 8, 2026

Register

The annual Cornell Food Hackathon convenes 150 undergraduate and graduate students from diverse disciplines — including food science, business, nutrition, engineering, design, and data science — to collaboratively explore the future of food innovation.

Working in cross-functional teams, students simulate real-world startup environments where they are challenged to integrate product development, consumer insights, go-to-market strategy, and technical feasibility. Their mission at the 2026 event: to reimagine consumer health and wellness and propose bold, next-generation product innovations. Honey, Dairy, Fermentation, Grains, you decide. Through rapid ideation, prototyping, and pitching, students not only develop functional concepts but also gain an entrepreneurial mindset and systems-thinking skills essential for leading the future of food.
 
Our hackathons are highly inclusive, psychological safety is of utmost importance, and everyone has a place at our events. All students in all fields of study are encouraged to apply. This event has broad appeal and offers a unique opportunity to work side-by-side with peers in food, ag, chemistry, nutrition, health, design, operations, business, engineering, and more. Student teams will compete for over $10,000 in prizes (cash and accelerator/incubator opportunities to prototype and ultimately commercialize your project ideas). Industry mentors are also present, providing feedback to the competing interdisciplinary teams of students and great career networking opportunities.

This year's Cornell Food Hackathon will kick off at 4 pm on Friday, November 6 and run through 3 pm on Sunday, November 8, 2026.

Not sure what a food hackathon is? Check out this video https://youtu.be/UjOC8fJx3NQ

Applications now open! Apply at this link.

Strictly capped at 150 students, there is a waitlist every year!

This year's sponsors will include Dairy Management Inc., National Honey Board,  San-J, Fairlife, Nestle, Takasago, Tata-Cornell Institute, Chobani, Puratos, Red Jacket, Gallo, Great Lakes Cheese, Cornell Dairy, Antithesis Foods, and the Upcycled Food Association.

Hosted by the Cornell Institute for Food System (CIFS) and eShip@Cornell.




 

Cornell Institute for Food Systems | Website | View More Events

Ami Stuart