Innovation Hackathon 2026

Build. Break. Ship.

A structured, one-day sprint where cross-functional trios tackle real customer problems — powered by AI, driven by intent. Not a traditional hackathon. Applied innovation with tangible outputs from minute one.

One day sprint  ·  Multiple locations
Mid-June 2026

20TH JUNE 2026  ·  FULL SPRINT
Register now
evokelabs.com
AI as a visible collaborator
Cross-functional trios
Real problems. Tangible outputs.
Thinking → Making
Discussing → Demonstrating
Experiment with intent
Input > Process > Output
AI-powered. Human-led.
AI as a visible collaborator
Cross-functional trios
Real problems. Tangible outputs.
Thinking → Making
Discussing → Demonstrating
Experiment with intent
Input > Process > Output
AI-powered. Human-led.

What is Evoke Labs

Experimentation
with intent.

Evoke Labs is a focused step toward building a more intentional, repeatable approach to innovation across Product, Engineering, and Product Design. Not blue-sky ideation — applied, hands-on exploration.

Teams use AI tools as collaborative partners, accelerating thinking, creation, and iteration to meaningfully multiply output. AI is the fourth team member, always in the room.

ThinkingMaking
DiscussingDemonstrating
SuggestingProving
1
day sprint. Maximum output, minimal noise.
Product × Design × Engineering per team.
AI
mandatory as a collaborative partner on every team.
0
ambiguity. Pre-scoped challenges from minute one.

The format

Structured.
Not rigid.

A tightly constrained day designed to feel open, energising, and empowering. Precision and momentum — from kickoff to showcase.

01 — FORMAT

One-day sprint

Structured milestones across a focused working day. Optional two-day format for deeper exploration. Either way — a prototype or validated concept by end of day.

02 — TEAMS

Cross-functional trios

Product Manager + Product Designer + Engineer. 6–12 squads depending on capacity. Balanced across Sports, Gaming, and Core — no siloed thinking.

03 — CHALLENGES

Pre-defined problems

Customer-centric, data-informed problem statements aligned to strategic priorities. Pre-defined to eliminate Day 1 ambiguity — teams are in flow from minute one.

04 — AI

AI as collaborator

AI tools are mandatory, not optional. Use them to accelerate research, sketch, prototype, and iterate. The amplification layer — augmenting, not replacing.

05 — OUTPUT

Tangible output

Demonstrable prototype or concept. Clear problem articulation. Summary of AI learnings. And a recommendation: pursue, iterate, or stop.

06 — SHOWCASE

Leadership showcase

Separate high-visibility event for senior leadership. Min. 10 min per team. A structured decision point — 1–3 concepts selected for further investment within two weeks.

Day structure

From kickoff
to concept.

AM

Kickoff & alignment

Teams receive their challenge. Clear briefing, zero ambiguity. AI tools set up and running. Energy set from the first minute.

Define

Explore & prototype

Trios work in deep focus — researching, sketching, building. AI runs in parallel across every workstream. Milestone check-ins keep momentum high.

Explore

Iterate & refine

Concepts sharpen. Prototypes get real. Teams prepare their narrative — the customer problem, what they built, and what AI made possible.

Deliver
PM

Showcase & decision

Presentations to a senior leadership panel. The showcase is a structured decision point — not a celebration. Best concepts get named owners and next steps within two weeks.

Showcase

What you'll deliver

Practical output.
Not theoretical ideation.

Problem articulation

A clear, concise statement of the customer problem — grounded in data, not assumption.

Required output

Demonstrable prototype

A working prototype or validated concept. Something you can show — not just describe.

Required output

AI collaboration learnings

A summary of how AI was used — what it unlocked, where it fell short, what you'd do differently.

Required output

Recommendation

A clear verdict: pursue, iterate, or stop. Backed by evidence from the day's work.

Required output

Recognition

Rewarded for
what matters.

// Main award

Overall Winner

Best concept with demonstrable customer impact. Judged on problem clarity, prototype quality, and strategic fit. Prize options include innovation budget and roadmap fast-track.

// Special award

AI Collaboration Award

Recognises the team that most effectively used AI as a creative and delivery partner — genuine amplification of what a trio can build in a day.

// Recognition

Highly Commended

For strong concepts that need more time. Great thinking shouldn't go unrecognised — even when the timing isn't right for a full build.

— Prize structure TBC. Options: innovation budget · conference tickets · learning sponsorship · cash award —