We believe true breakthrough innovations and creative solutions to our global problems occur when vastly different people, technology, ideas and skills are mashed together. Our events & initiatives aim to curate fun serendipity via the juxtaposition of ideas across the spectrum of all disciplines.
Regional communities face many unique problems around local employment opportunities, ageing populations and skill shortages. We help these regional areas to ignite a grassroots culture of innovation and entrepreneurship by mixing diverse local and outside talent with the latest technology.
Our society is structured in a way that isolates people, their skills, knowledge and ideas into industry silos where only incremental innovation can occur. Since 2012 we’ve taken a truly multidisciplinary, generalist approach to help s/mash these silos and cross-pollinate ideas.
The cathedral-like, hierarchical nature of our education systems, government institutions and corporate workplaces tends to stifle innovation and increase risk-aversion. Hackagong is bottom-up, decentralised and experimental to enable people and organisations to play without fear of failure.
Businesses and organisations struggle to generate innovative ideas or creative solutions to their problems. The traditional hackathon solves this but most projects are immediately abandoned. We facilitate commercial partnerships to enable more projects to have an ongoing positive impact.
Hackagong was originally created in 2012 with the goal of bringing together the physically segregated arts and IT students at the University of Wollongong. We wanted to change the stereotypical culture clash between these groups to spark new ideas and unexpected creativity.
Too often hackathons and innovation initiatives become hyper-competitive to the detriment of the wider community, particularly in regions with smaller populations. Our strategies focus on open, collaborative ecosystem development with ongoing impact over one-off events.
Hackagong has 5+ years of experience and learnings from 30+ events. With new niche hackathons sprouting weekly, we’re leading the way by experimenting with novel formats, encouraging much more multidisciplinary input, and ensuring projects continue to have an impact post-event.
Australia’s bush hack
Bega, May 2016Pitches + Hackagong showcase
Wollongong, Sep 2015inc Australia’s 1st VR competition
Wollongong, Sep 2015Pure 3D printing competition
Wollongong, Aug 2015inc Australia’s 1st AR competition
Wollongong, Nov 2014Apps for UOW students
Wollongong, Sep 2013Expo at WIN Entertainment Centre
Wollongong, Jul 2013inc Australia’s 1st 3D printing competition
Wollongong, Jul 2013Australia’s 1st multidisciplinary hackathon
Wollongong, Nov 2012200+ visitors @ Regent Theatre
#BlenderFestival160 competitors across 49 teams
$150,000 in prizes
Winner: The Locationiser (LIDAR)50 competitors across 16 teams
$3000 in 3D printer prizes
Mini hackathon experiment150 competitors across 45 teams
$100,000 in prizes
27 competitors across 7 teams
$10,000 in prizes
Mini hackathon experiment500+ visitors @ WIN Entertainment Centre
50+ Hackagong teams & local startups
#IllawarraDigital Expo100 competitors across 34 teams
$32,000 in prizes
Winner: Peereo (education platform)90 competitors across 27 teams
$10,000 in prizes
Winner: Giftling (crowdfunding for gifts)DIY screening tool for bacteria and viruses
Currently being refined and commercialised
Hackagong 2015Smartphone-controlled multiplayer game
Accepted into Muru-D, now rolling out to screens everywhere
Hackagong 2014Second-hand startup marketplace (4000+ listings)
Extensive media coverage (HuffingtonPost, TechFeed +)
Hackagong 20133D printed first prototype at Hackagong
$17,816 KickStarter + $63,550 KickStarter + LiquidCo.com
Hackagong 2013$100,000+ raised on the gifting platform
Used by KidzWish Foundation & Australian Greens
Hackagong 2012A few of the awesome partners and sponsors who have supported us
If you have any questions about Hackagong or how to organise one in your town, please get in touch below or email [email protected]