HackerX Birmingham: Employer Recruiting Event

⌖ Leeds · Platform

Hosted by The Curve

A closed-door Leeds discussion for senior leaders who need to prove whether AI is delivering commercial ROI, not simply generating more activity. Taking place at Platform in Leeds on 14 October 2026, from 8:30am to 10:30am, this focused breakfast session examines how organisations can move from tracking AI output to measuring genuine business impact. It is organised by The Curve and Hopton Analytics. From AI activity to defensible returns Many businesses can identify what AI is doing but struggle to quantify what it returns. Time may be saved without appearing in commercial reporting; licences and pilots can continue without clear ownership of the return; and apparent efficiency gains may be absorbed into costs rather than converted into greater capacity or fee growth. This session is a direct sequel to The Curve’s earlier AI Reality Check discussions in Sheffield and Leeds. It keeps the same reality-first approach while concentrating on one sharper question: is your AI paying for itself, or just staying busy? The conversation will explore: - Where AI is producing a number that can be defended in a board meeting, and where it remains activity without measurable impact - The “efficiency tax” created when saved time is not deliberately converted into value - How leaders can approach build-versus-buy decisions - The commercial risks of turning quickly built internal tools into products - Whether pricing for outcomes rather than hours is a credible option - The cost of investing now compared with the potential cost of waiting Who should attend? The event is designed for directors, C-suite executives and Heads of roles across all industries. It will be particularly relevant to senior leaders and commercial decision-makers responsible for AI investment, operational efficiency, pricing, capacity or technology strategy. The discussion will be led by Paul Ridgway, CEO of The Curve, and Simon Devine, Managing Director of Hopton Analytics. An open, confidential format… Register for this event

Sponsors: CGI

⌖ London · Bayes Business School - Finsbury Square Building

Hosted by CityVentures

Watch four early-stage startups pitch live, hear candid audience feedback and meet London’s founder community at this supportive in-person Demo Night. Hosted by CityVentures in partnership with Hatch Enterprise, the evening replaces over-polished presentations with five-minute demos, honest reactions and practical encouragement. Hatch Enterprise will bring two of the four startups taking the stage. The participating founders and startup lineup have not yet been published. What to expect - Four five-minute startup demos from early-stage founders - Live questions and constructive feedback from the audience - Time to meet the founders after their pitches - Networking with investors, industry experts and fellow entrepreneurs The event is designed for founders and funders, as well as anyone considering starting a business or looking to expand their professional network. No particular experience level is specified, and people who are simply curious about how startups begin are also welcome. CityVentures describes Demo Night as a safe, supportive and inclusive monthly space where founders can build confidence, test their ideas and connect with a diverse community. The event runs from 6:00pm to 8:30pm GMT+1 on Wednesday 14 October 2026 at Bayes Business School’s Finsbury Square Building, 33 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AG. Register for October Demo Night

⌖ Brighton · Register to See Address

Hosted by South East Angels

Startup Roadshow Brighton brings early-stage founders and investors together in Brighton on 14 October 2026 for startup pitches and focused networking. Taking place from 6:00pm to 8:30pm GMT+1, this evening event is designed to connect promising founders from across Sussex with angel investors, venture capital investors, entrepreneurs and members of the wider regional startup ecosystem. The exact Brighton and Hove venue address will be shared with registered attendees. What to expect The centrepiece of the roadshow is a startup pitch competition, where selected early-stage companies will present their ideas to a judging panel of angel and VC investors. The investor judges are still to be confirmed, but the format gives founders an opportunity to put their businesses in front of people actively involved in funding and supporting early-stage technology ventures. Alongside the pitches, attendees will have time to build relevant connections across the Sussex startup community. The evening offers opportunities to: - Discover emerging startups and new business ideas - Meet founders, investors and fellow entrepreneurs - Gain visibility for an early-stage venture - Hear concise pitches assessed from an investor perspective - Develop relationships within the local funding ecosystem The event page particularly highlights founders seeking attention for their businesses and investors looking for potential opportunities in the FinTech sector. Founders who want to compete can apply to pitch at Startup Roadshow in advance. Who is behind the roadshow? The event is presented by South East Angels, an award-winning angel investor community operating one of the UK’s most active angel syndicates and currently investing more than £2 million each year into early-stage technology startups. It is hosted by Jake Fox. NatWest is also listed as an organiser. Through the NatWest Accelerator and its always-on Accelerator App community, the bank provides entrepreneurs with mentors, practical tools and access to a national network intended to help them develop the skills and confidence to scale.… Register for this event

Airtable

Sponsors: NatWest

⌖ Montreal · Samuel Bronfman Building

Hosted by Bensadoun School of Retail Management, McGill University

A two-day retail AI hackathon for McGill students, taking place 15–16 October 2026 at the Samuel Bronfman Building in Montreal. The Retail Gen AI Hackathon 2026 gives McGill students the opportunity to tackle a real-life challenge for ALDO Group while exploring how artificial intelligence can improve decision-making across retail operations. Running from 9:00am on Thursday 15 October to 5:00pm on Friday 16 October, the event combines collaborative problem-solving with a fun, competitive hackathon environment. This is the fourth edition of the event, organised by the Bensadoun School of Retail Management in partnership with ALDO Group and powered by AWS and McGill’s DataSphere Lab. Rather than working through a purely theoretical exercise, participants will apply AI to a genuine retail problem and consider how their ideas could support better, data-driven operational decisions. What participants will explore The hackathon focuses on three complementary areas of artificial intelligence: - Generative AI, used to create new content, ideas or outputs - Predictive AI, which can help anticipate outcomes using available data - Prescriptive AI, which can support decisions by identifying potential courses of action - The practical application of these approaches within retail operations - Collaborative development of an innovative solution for ALDO Group The two-day format is designed for active participation rather than passive listening. Attendees should expect to work collaboratively under time constraints, develop ideas around the challenge and learn through the process of building a proposed AI solution. Its combination of an industry partner, a real-world use case and support from AWS and the DataSphere Lab makes the event particularly relevant to students interested in AI, data, retail innovation, management or technology-led problem-solving. Who can attend? Registration is exclusively for McGill students. The event page does not specify a required technical background or experience level, so prospective participants should consult the registration information for any further eligibility or preparation details.… Register for this event

Sponsors: ALDO Group · AWS +1

⌖ London · London AI Hub

Hosted by AI Builders

Build a working AI-powered mobile app in one evening at London AI Hub on 15 October 2026. This free hackathon welcomes beginners and experienced builders. Hosted by AI Builders Club, London AI Hub and Bilt.me, App After Dark runs from 18:00–21:00 in London. Come with an idea, bring a team or find collaborators on arrival. Teams can include one to three people. The evening begins with a short introduction to building mobile apps with Bilt.me and a selection of optional challenges. You will then have time to build, test, break and improve your app, with practical support available if you get stuck. Strong projects may be invited to demo at the end of the night; prizes and judging details are yet to be announced. No development experience is required. Vibe coders, aspiring founders, designers, engineers, operators and complete beginners are all welcome. New builders will receive starter challenges, example prompts and guidance. Bring a laptop and, optionally, an idea or teammate. Entry is free, with Bilt.me credits, pizza and drinks included. The listing currently marks the hackathon as over, so check the official page for the latest registration availability. Check registration status for App After Dark

Sponsors: Bilt.me

⌖ Barcelona · ICON HOTEL

Hosted by Barcelona Techies 2

Meet Barcelona’s founders, engineers, researchers and creatives at a curated rooftop afterwork featuring AI and startup lightning talks. Hosted by Metapilot Academy for Barcelona Techies 2, this weekly networking event brings together ambitious local and international professionals working across technology, science and art. It takes place on Thursday 15 October 2026, from 19:00 to 22:00 CEST, at ICON HOTEL, C/ de Roger de Llúria, 21, Barcelona. What to expect - 19:30 gathering: collect a drink from reception before heading to the rooftop; drinks are available from the hotel’s menu. - Community lightning talks: short, spontaneous presentations covering AI breakthroughs, startups, art-tech collaborations and personal stories. No named speakers or fixed talk agenda have been published. - Open networking: small-group conversations designed to encourage idea-sharing and potential collaborations. The organisers describe the community as highly curated, with founders, engineers, scientists, creatives and leaders among its attendees. The event is aimed at everyone from researchers and digital nomads to startup founders, artists and technology professionals. Rather than a loud social mixer, the emphasis is on thoughtful conversation and professional connection. Tickets are issued separately through Luma. You can also follow Metapilot Academy on Instagram for community updates. View the event and register