2026 Cornell Food Hackathon

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. 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.

This event offers a unique opportunity for students to work side-by-side with peers in food, ag, chemistry, nutrition, health, design, operations, business, engineering, and more. 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, 2026. The event runs until 8 pm on Nov 6; 9 am – 9 pm on Nov 7, & 9 am – 3 pm on Nov 8.