HackTheBurgh XIII

⌖ Edinburgh · Edinburgh Futures Institute, The University of Edinburgh

Hosted by Traveltech

University of Edinburgh students can spend a full day solving real-world festival challenges at this collaborative arts, culture and technology hackathon. Taking place on Friday 30 October 2026, from 9am to 5pm, the in-person event brings innovators, artists, developers, designers and festival enthusiasts together at the Edinburgh Futures Institute in Edinburgh. What to expect Festival partners will provide challenge prompts based on pressing issues faced by the Edinburgh Festivals. Participants will form multidisciplinary teams, combine their different perspectives and develop creative solutions designed to enhance the festival experience. The programme also includes insights from festival organisers and data visualisation leaders, covering challenges, opportunities and emerging directions across cultural events. Projects may explore how technology can help festivals reach wider audiences, strengthen their communities and make a more positive environmental impact. No specific technical experience requirement is stated; coders, designers and arts enthusiasts are all encouraged to contribute. Practical details: - Room 2.55, Floor 2, Edinburgh Futures Institute - 1 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh EH3 9EF - Eight-hour, in-person format - Food and refreshments provided - Organised by Traveltech Get tickets for the hackathon

⌖ 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

⌖ Southampton · Eagle Labs

Hosted by University of Southampton AI Society

SotonShip 26 is a free, three-day applied-AI hackathon bringing 200+ builders to Eagle Labs in Southampton from 16–18 October 2026. Presented by the University of Southampton AI Society, the event has a direct mission: “Stop learning AI. Start shipping it.” Rather than focusing on AI theory alone, SotonShip creates a dedicated environment for turning ideas into tangible projects over one intensive weekend. What to expect Running across Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the hackathon gives attendees three days to concentrate on building with AI. The event’s published “Manifest” sets out a three-day schedule, while its wider programme is organised around a mission and five pillars. Full details of those pillars and the timed agenda will be available through the event website. The format is aimed at people who want to move from exploring AI concepts to applying them. It should be particularly relevant to: - Students interested in practical AI development - Developers, makers and technical builders - Founders or aspiring founders testing AI product ideas - Creatives and experimenters looking for a focused shipping deadline - Anyone motivated by hands-on building rather than passive learning The organiser does not specify a required experience level on the published page. What unites attendees is the intention to make and ship: the event is explicitly framed as an applied-AI hackathon, not a conventional lecture series or classroom course. A builder-first hackathon in Southampton SotonShip 26 takes place at Eagle Labs in Southampton. With more than 200 builders expected, it offers a substantial in-person setting for focused project work alongside others who are actively experimenting with AI. The event also has a distinctive retro game and nautical identity. Its website presents the programme as a voyage, with a “Mission”, “Five Pillars”, “Manifest”, “Backers”, “Logbook” and “Boarding Pass”. The playful “insert coin” and “claim your seat” framing reinforces the core message: this is an event designed around participation and action. A logbook from the previous edition, plus dedicated sections for sponsors and partners, can also be explored through the event site. Entry is listed as free, but attendees still need to claim a place. Claim your boarding pass for SotonShip 26

⌖ Manchester

Green Circles Manchester is an in-person AI hackathon on 16 October 2026, connecting AI builders with industry experts in Manchester. Build and connect around AI This one-day event offers AI builders an opportunity to step away from purely online discussion and meet people working with artificial intelligence in a practical, build-focused setting. The central proposition is simple: bring builders and industry expertise together in Manchester, creating space for technical exploration, new connections and conversations grounded in real-world experience. Green Circles Manchester is supported by Barclays Eagle Labs and Silicon Mingle. That combination of an AI builder community and industry backing makes the event particularly relevant to people who want to expand their network while spending time in an environment centred on creating with AI. Who it is for The hackathon is aimed at AI builders and people interested in connecting with industry experts. It may be especially relevant to: - Developers, makers and technical founders building AI products - Entrepreneurs exploring AI-enabled business ideas - Product professionals interested in applied artificial intelligence - Members of the Manchester technology community looking for builder-focused connections - People who value learning through practical events rather than conventional conference presentations The listing does not specify a required experience level, technical stack or set of participating tools. It also does not publish named speakers, challenge briefs, team requirements or judging criteria. Prospective attendees who need those details should check the registration information before booking. Event format and details Green Circles Manchester is listed as an in-person hackathon, taking place in Manchester, Great Britain, on Friday 16 October 2026. Unlike a standard talk-only meetup, its hackathon positioning signals a setting focused on builders and active participation, alongside access to industry perspectives. The published event description specifically highlights the connection between AI builders and experts as its defining feature.… Register for this event

Sponsors: Barclays Eagle Labs · Silicon Mingle

⌖ São Paulo · Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 3732, 18° andar - Itaim Bibi

Hosted by BCG Platinion

BCG Platinion’s two-day, in-person hackathon comes to São Paulo on 16–17 October 2026 to build technology solutions addressing world hunger. Build technology that matters World hunger remains one of today’s most pressing challenges. This hackathon brings together technology-minded participants to develop bold, meaningful responses while working alongside BCG Platinion consultants and tech experts. Rather than focusing on hypothetical exercises, attendees will spend two intensive days building real solutions around a global humanitarian issue. The event runs from 9:00am to 6:00pm on both days, using the America/São Paulo time zone. It takes place at BCG São Paulo, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima 3732, 18th floor, Itaim Bibi, São Paulo. Who should apply? BCG Platinion is inviting applicants based in Brazil who are interested in the intersection of technology and consulting. The event is particularly relevant for: - IT architects and AI architects - Software developers - Technology professionals and builders - People with a strong passion for technology and an interest in consulting and tech No individual speakers are listed; the emphasis is on collaborative building with BCG Platinion’s consultants and technology specialists. The in-person, two-day format gives participants an opportunity to contribute technical thinking, work with other builders and explore how technology can help tackle a complex real-world problem. Application and costs Participation is completely free, and BCG Platinion states that it will cover all event-related expenses. This application route is exclusively for applicants based in Brazil. Applications require both a résumé and motivation letter. Submit these by 11:59pm on Sunday, 13 September 2026. The registration form also requests standard contact details, and applicants must sign in to complete the process. Registration availability is capped at 500 within the event system. For further practical details, eligibility information and answers to common questions, read the official hackathon information and FAQs.… Register for this event