Destroy Bad Software - Teardown Night
Hosted By
About Event
Despite extraordinary advances in development and infrastructure, the software most of us use every day is getting worse. Cluttered interfaces. Dark patterns. Lost work. Spinners that never resolve.
We've collectively decided this is normal.
This session treats that as a craft problem with a fixable cause.
We will have volunteers submit their own product in advance. Be it an onboarding flow, a UI, a signup path or whatever makes sense. We then take it apart live against six rules:
Respect Attention
Never Lose Work
Default To Clarity
Speed Is Respect
Sweat The Details
Works For Who Needs It
Each teardown ends with ends with a prescription: three specific changes, ranked by impact
It closes with a pledge wall and anyone who wants to sign it, signs it.
Built for people who make software and are tired of apologizing for it: senior engineers, designers, product leads, founders past their first release.
We are official event hosts with Waterloo Tech Week 2026, a celebration of what’s been built here, and what’s still to come. We’re building something great together. September 12-17, 2026. waterlootechweek.ca
Things to know
Itinerary
Special Instructions
Be Respectful
Arrive on time and keep noise making devices (ie. phones, airhorns, pagers) on silent during the presentation sessions. It is okay to challenge or criticize the products and ideas, not the person. And unless you're an actual customer or potential customer, don't assume you know more about the Domain than the presenter. If you're shouting or being disruptive or rude, you'll be removed.
Location
Den 1880
14 Erb Street West
Waterloo, ON, Canada
About The Hosts
We are builders and operators in the technology space in Waterloo. Excited to help likeminded people focus on asking more from the products we use every day.
By registering for this event, you agree to share your registration responses with Wygo, the hosts, and any listed sponsors.
Photos and videos may be taken at this event for future promotional purposes. By attending the event, you consent to being photographed / filmed. If you'd prefer not to be photographed, please let the hosts know.
Hosts reserve the right to refuse entry or remove any participant who does not comply with the event rules or guidelines. Please be respectful of the hosts and other participants. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the hosts directly.
Mentioning it again for clarity: if you're being rude, disrespectful, disruptive or otherwise a nuisance (derogatory) you will be asked to leave and not be given any refund.