Showcasing the Region’s Next Generation of Tech Talent
The University of Suffolk and IJYI Ltd continue their highly anticipated annual Hackathon, now entering its third year and proudly sponsored by Halo, with contributions from DPS Tech and Enable Services. The two‑day event, taking place 25–26 March 2026, brings together computing, data science, and cyber security students to compete for the prestigious Hux Cup and coveted internship opportunities with leading local technology companies.
A Two-Day Innovation Sprint
The 48-hour Hackathon challenges student teams to design, develop, and present a working technology solution to a real‑world problem set by industry partners. Working from Wednesday through Thursday afternoon, the teams will deliver final presentations to a panel of regional experts, with winners announced shortly after.
Previous Hackathon challenges have included developing AI‑driven forecasting tools for UK railway providers, such as predicting freeze‑risk scenarios and automatically alerting stations to grit surfaces when dangerous conditions are expected.
Building Suffolk’s Future Tech Workforce
Founded in 2024, the Hackathon aims to bridge the gap between emerging talent and the region’s technology industry. The event highlights the breadth of opportunities available across Suffolk—an area often overshadowed by major global tech hubs—while giving students hands‑on experience solving complex, industry‑aligned problems.
The competition has become a proven talent accelerator, with past winners securing internships and full‑time roles within Suffolk’s growing digital sector, including at IJYI.
Partner Organisations for 2026
- IJYI Ltd – ijyi.com
- Halo – usehalo.com
- University of Suffolk – uos.ac.uk
- DPS Tech – dpstech.co.uk
- Enable Services – enable.services
- Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) – theiet.org
Participants include first, second, and third‑year Computer Science students, as well as Master’s cohorts in Data Science and Cyber Security.
Success Stories from Previous Years
Kane – Joined the Hackathon in his third week at university and rapidly engineered an AI-driven cloud application that secured his team the top prize. After completing an internship at IJYI, he was hired full-time and now returns as a judge.
William – After a challenging first year competing, William returned with renewed focus and co‑won the second-year competition. His internship experience later helped him secure a role within Suffolk County Council’s IT department.
Osama – As part of a Cyber Security masters team, Osama helped build an AI‑enabled Learning Management System that jointly won the second-year challenge. He is now in employment discussions with IJYI.
The 2026 Challenge
Students will build a cloud‑hosted web application that enables purchasing and warehousing professionals to forecast, manage, and automate product stock levels. The solution must include AI/ML forecasting models, a secure and resilient architecture, separate front‑end and back‑end components, and interfaces that are intuitive for users.
This year’s user story challenges teams to help the University of Suffolk solve demand‑planning issues for UoS‑branded merchandise. Students must create a secure platform that handles authentication, stock management, automated ordering, and operational recommendations.
Event Schedule
Wednesday 25 March 2026
- Hack Begins: 10:00 – 21:00
Thursday 26 March 2026
- Final Build & Touch-Ups: 10:00 – 15:00
- Presentations: 15:00 – 16:30
- Awards & Winners Announced: 16:30 – 17:00