NEXTGEN AI HACKATHON

NextGen students: build and pitch an AI startup in 2 days. No experience needed.

🚀 NextGen AI Hackathon: May 21–22, 2026

Looking to meet like-minded builders, experiment with AI, and actually create something from scratch? Got ideas but not sure how to bring them to life? This is your moment.

Join us for a high-energy two-day hackathon designed specifically for NextGen students, where you will learn how to use AI tools in a real-world context, collaborate with talented peers, and build something you can be proud of.

This year, we are excited to have Darren Rogan leading the experience. Darren brings deep expertise in AI and emerging technologies, with experience working alongside startups and organisations to apply AI in practical, high-impact ways. He will guide you through how to actually use these tools to build, test, and refine your ideas.

Throughout the hackathon, workshops will be hands-on and AI-focused, covering everything from idea generation and validation through to building your first prototype using a mix of no-code and technical AI tools.

👥 Who Should Join?

This event is for NextGen students across all disciplines - no matter your background.

Whether you’re studying:

• Business, marketing, or finance
• Health or science
• Computer science or engineering
• Design, research, or project management

Whether you’re a:
💻 Technical Builder – You can bring ideas to life
🎨 Creative Thinker – You shape the vision and experience
📊 Strategic Mind – You think about the bigger picture
🤝 Organiser – You keep everything moving

We need all of it. Come solo or with a team - we’ll help with the rest.

🤖 What Makes This Different?

This isn’t just a startup hackathon - it’s AI-first.

You’ll learn how to:

• Use AI tools to generate and validate ideas
• Rapidly build prototypes (with or without coding)
• Apply AI in practical, real-world use cases
• Turn a concept into something tangible in just 2 days
  

🔥 Why You Should Join

🔥 Meet people you might actually build with
🔥 Learn by doing, not just listening
🔥 Get guidance from experienced mentors and facilitators
🔥 Build something real in a short amount of time
🔥 Pitch your idea in front of judges
🔥 Free food, great energy, and a genuinely fun experience

🗓️ SCHEDULE

Thursday 21 May | 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

• Arrival + meet and greet
• Event kickoff + overview
• AI workshop with Darren Rogan
• Idea pitches
• Team formation
• Start building

Friday 22 May | 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM

• Team check-in + continued building
• AI tools + prototyping workshops
• Mentor sessions
• Pitch workshop
• Final pitch event 🎤
• Wrap-up + awards

📍 Location

Cohort Innovation Space
16 Nexus Way, Southport, Gold Coast

Whether you're here to build, learn, or meet people - you’ll leave with new skills, new connections, and something you’ve actually created.

✨ Spots are limited, don’t miss it.