I’ve never been to a hackathon. Should I come?
Yes. Most people haven’t. There are short teaching sessions, mentors throughout, and challenge briefs so you never start from a blank page.
Do I need to be a medic?
No. The best teams mix medicine and healthcare with engineering, computer science and business. Every discipline has a role.
Do I need a team?
No. Sign up on your own or as a pair, and we’ll balance teams on the day.
Can I see the challenges in advance?
No. The briefs are revealed on Saturday morning so that nobody gets a head start. You don’t need to prepare anything: the talks and mentors take you from problem to pitch.
Do I need to code?
No, but every team builds something. Our official build partner is Lovable: you describe what you want in plain English, and it builds a working app. Teams can also prototype a physical device. Mentors help you get started.
Is it an overnight hackathon?
No. Both days run 09:00–17:00, so you go home and sleep. An optional Saturday evening build session is to be confirmed.
What should I bring?
A laptop and charger, a water bottle, and any personal medication. Lunch and refreshments are provided both days.
What about dietary or accessibility needs?
Tell us on the registration form. The building is wheelchair accessible with accessible toilets on every floor, and there are quiet and prayer rooms on Level 3.
Who owns what we build?
Your team does. We just ask that you don’t use real patient data, and that you credit any tools you used.
What do we have to produce?
A one-page Team Canvas on Saturday, then a pitch deck (PDF) and a live pitch to the judges on Sunday afternoon.
Is anything else happening during the event?
There’s an optional, anonymous research study evaluating the hackathon (ERGO 117320). Taking part is voluntary and has no effect on your team, judging or prizes. Questions: fs3n23@soton.ac.uk.
