Our Hackathons
Hackathons lie at the heart of the IMPACT experience. Embedded within our distinctive structure of sprints and challenges, they form a central part of the multidisciplinary curriculum across STEM, Business, and English. Each two-week sprint features five six-hour challenges, all aligned to a central Hackathon theme. Students begin within their chosen Applied Learning Pathways before coming together to address the final challenge from a range of perspectives including, social, environmental, and economic.
The final company-sponsored Hackathon invites students to apply their learning to real-world contexts. Industry professionals deliver keynote talks, set the central brief, and mentor teams throughout, offering expert feedback and valuable insight into current trends and technologies. Students also take part in exclusive networking events with leading professionals, gaining both inspiration and meaningful connections for the future.
Dynamic, immersive, and intellectually stimulating, Hackathons drive every aspect of IMPACT. They cultivate creativity, collaboration, and technical skill while providing authentic exposure to professional environments. By the end of each sprint, students have completed extended projects, developed essential life and leadership skills, and gained the confidence to innovate and adapt, qualities that will serve them in higher education, the workplace, and beyond.
Upcoming Sprints
Sprint 1: 18 July 2026
ClimateX People vs Planet – Sustainability, Climate Crisis, and Societal Impact
Sprint 2: 1 August 2026
InnovateX Future Founders – Entrepreneurship, Start-Ups, and AI Innovation
Our Hackathon Business Partners
Perfect Ted
Sponsoring our InnovationX – Future Founders sprint
Theme: Entrepreneurship, Start-Ups, and AI Innovation
This Hackathon exposes students to the world of entrepreneurship, start-up culture and forward-thinking innovation. Marisa and Teddie, the co-founders of Perfect Ted, The UK’s No. 1 Matcha Brand, gained significant traction after its appearance on Dragon’s Den, where it received investments from Steven Bartlett and Peter Jones.
Perfect Ted co-founders will deliver a keynote address exploring the future of entrepreneurship, the opportunities emerging from new technologies, and the ways in which young innovators can turn ideas into action. Following the keynote, students will be presented with a real-world business challenge, inspiring them to apply entrepreneurial thinking, creativity, and collaboration to design innovative solutions.
Throughout the day, the co-founders will mentor the teams, offering specialist insights and practical guidance to help refine their ideas. The experience provides students with a unique opportunity to connect with leading professionals and to develop the entrepreneurial mindset essential for success in a rapidly evolving global economy.
