Apply now for the MLH Top 50 Class of 2026!
Applications and nominations are now open for the 2026 MLH Top 50!
Every MLH Top 50 hacker fills out an application which is carefully reviewed by the MLH team. The 50 selected are able to effectively communicate the ways in which they impacted the hacker community, the innovative work they’ve made, how they have inspired other hackers, and why their story is unique.
You can apply or nominate a friend to be a part of the MLH Top 50 for 2026!
And check out the profiles below to learn more about our past winners.
Alison Co, 22
Alison Co, a computer science student at the University of British Columbia, is a dedicated hacker and mentor passionate about building inclusive tech spaces and impactful projects. Her journey began with a love for typing that grew into a passion for coding, and she overcame initial imposter syndrome after attending her first supportive hackathon, youCode. This experience inspired her to create "Braillearn," a finalist project at nwHacks 2025 designed to help the visually impaired learn Braille, which solidified her belief in using tech for real-world change. Now an award-winning mentor herself, Alison actively fosters welcoming environments at events like youCode and cmd-f, offering guidance and support to fellow hackers. She embodies a full-circle commitment to the community, even returning to youCode as a hacker to win an award for a new team project, bringing the same drive to her tech endeavors as she does to her other passions, like her first-degree black belt in Taekwondo.
Who are these hackers?
These hackers are people who have stood out from the crowd and done something exceptional within the hacker community. Whether they were creating an event to bring tech education to their area, working to make the tech world more inclusive, or programming a project with a positive impact on society, they have all inspired us. Like you, they are students or recent graduates who are using their knowledge to make the world a better place.