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Nexus Summer Open Innovation Hackathon

Turn early momentum into something real.

A one-day open build space for people with a prototype, a persistent idea, an unfinished tool or a real organisational problem that needs another useful move.

Saturday 21 August 2027Time to be confirmedVenue to be confirmedFree and open to all

Two ways to build

Strengthen what you have started or help solve a real one.

This is not a slide-deck competition. The aim is to test a useful next move, get clear feedback and leave with a stronger direction.

01Open build

Strengthen what you have started.

Bring a prototype, an early tool or an idea that has stayed with you. Use the day to test what matters, improve one part or make the next useful version.

02Organisation challenge

Turn a real problem into options

Organisations can bring a practical issue. Teams will create different prototype routes and you can decide who to speak to about a later pilot.

03Show

Show the next useful move.

Teams demonstrate what works, what they learned and what they would test next. The best practical build wins the confirmed £100 prize.

How the day works

Bring the momentum. Leave with a real next step.

  1. 01

    Choose what moves next

    Work on your own idea or choose a real organisation challenge. The final programme and challenge list will be shared before the event.

  2. 02

    Build in a mixed-skills team

    Developers, designers, founders, students, HR professionals, community organisers and practical problem-solvers are all welcome.

  3. 03

    Show the evidence

    Give a short live demonstration to a judging panel. The aim is to show a real next move, not just explain an idea.

Help shape the day

Bring money, experience or the problem worth solving.

Organisations, sponsors, mentors and judges can help turn a one-day prototype into a useful next conversation.

Organisation challenge

Bring your real problem.

Teams will explore possible prototype routes. You decide which teams to continue a conversation with after the event.

Bring a challenge

Sponsor

Grow the prize fund.

Help with prizes, venue, food, practical running costs or a service teams can use.

Offer sponsorship

Mentor

Help a team get unstuck.

Share practical product, design, AI, technical, commercial or community experience during the day.

Become a mentor

Judge

Join the live pitch panel.

Help assess working prototypes and give direct, grounded feedback at the end of the day.

Join the judging panel

Express interest

Tell us where you fit.

There is no fixed sponsorship package and no fee to mentor or judge. Tell us what you can bring, and we will agree the practical next step with you.

01  Express interest02  Short conversation03  Agree the useful next step

Before you reserve

Bring your laptop and the version you want to test, strengthen or take forward.

Participation is free. Time, venue and the final organisation challenges are being confirmed and will be emailed to everyone with a reserved place.

Reserve my free place