The University’s first-ever hackathon, Hackabury 2025, brought together student talent and business innovation in an inspiring event sparking fresh ideas, working prototypes and collaborative teamwork.

Over the course of the event, 88 students formed 21 teams and developed 25 unique solutions to challenges posed by industry sponsors, including Romax, Holiday Extras, Wave Community Bank, Barclays LifeSkills, Southeastern, Unitemps, and CCCU’s Students’ Union.

Sponsors provided a business problem, which student teams tackled under time pressure. Some of the results included applications for financial literacy, AI-driven onboarding tools, gamified cyber security training, and customer engagement platforms. The winning concepts were judged by a panel of industry professionals and alumni, many of whom commented on the real-world value and innovation shown.

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Overall first prize went to ‘FixFury’, an international team of CCCU MSc students who responded to the Holiday Extras challenge with an intelligent tool that personalises holiday add-ons. Judges praised the solution’s commercial potential and seamless user experience.

Stefanie Kennett, People Executive at Holiday Extras said:

“It was great to see so much passion, collaboration and innovation packed into a short space of time!”

Students were rewarded with a range of industry-focused prizes that offered both experience and opportunity. From co-working time and business mentoring at Barclays Eagle Labs, to AI workshops with software engineers at Holiday Extras and complimentary train travel from Southeastern, the prizes were designed to extend the impact of the hackathon beyond the event itself- connecting students with real-world workplaces, insights, and innovation. Additional awards included technology equipment and gift vouchers to celebrate standout contributions across the event.

The event delivered real, measurable value for our business partners. Several sponsors are already exploring next steps sparked by connections made during the event- from team workshops and extended collaborations to creative commissions. One employer identified two standout students for potential graduate roles. Romax has also committed to offering a paid three-month internship to a participant. Robin Sumner, Managing Director at Romax Digital said:

“The internship is an exciting opportunity to gain practical experience in a dynamic commercial environment. The selected student will work on a range of digital and technical projects under the guidance of experienced mentors, with the chance to make meaningful contributions to our innovation pipeline.”

These outcomes demonstrate how short-term engagement with our student community can lead to long-term talent, collaboration, and innovation opportunities.

Jordan Pettman, Senior Data Analysis Manager at Southeastern said:

“I was blown away by the creativity, it was amazing to watch ideas come to life. I’ve been reflecting a lot on how powerful group sessions free from traditional restraints can be in truly driving ideas and creativity.”

The University is committed to producing work-ready graduates whilst enabling business engagement through collaboration. From recruitment and placement opportunities to research and innovation support, Hackabury 2025 offered a platform to connect with student talent in a practical, outcome-driven way.

Looking Ahead- we are exploring the possibility of bringing Hackabury back…

Are you interested in getting involved? If your business would like to sponsor, set a challenge, or connect with future talent, we would love to hear from you.

For enquiries, please get in contact: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/business/contact

Special thanks to iGaming who provided funding for the event.

Based in Varna and with offices across several European countries, iGaming is a fast-growing digital media and lead generation company specializing in affiliate marketing. The team creates and operates informative, user-friendly websites to connect users with trusted online platforms and services. By focusing on innovation, performance and responsible practices through their iGamingCare program, they are helping to shape a more sustainable future for the gaming industry. https://www.igaming.com/