Have you ever imagined spending 24 hours turning a small idea into something amazing? That’s exactly what happens at birmingHack, a fun, beginner-friendly hackathon hosted at the University of Birmingham. It’s not just another tech event — it’s a place where students come together to build, learn, and have a great time doing it.
From coding and designing to late-night snacks and laughter, birmingHack is all about creativity and teamwork. It’s a space where anyone, even beginners, can test their skills, explore new ideas, and make something real in just one weekend.
What Is BirmingHack?
birmingHack is a 24-hour student-run hackathon that first took place in March 2025. Hosted by the Computer Science Society (CSS) at the University of Birmingham, it invites students to build something cool — an app, a website, a game, or even a hardware project — all within one day and night.
The event took place at the Computer Science Building, which became home to buzzing laptops, sticky notes, and excited students. With 66 participants and £500+ in prizes, it became one of the most talked-about university hackathons in the Midlands.
The idea behind birmingHack is simple: create a friendly space where students can learn, experiment, and have fun while doing it. You don’t need to be an expert coder — all you need is curiosity and teamwork.
Why “Building Foundations” Was the Perfect Theme
Every hackathon has a theme, and for its first edition, birmingHack 2025 chose the theme “Building Foundations.” The message was clear: start small, think big, and create something that can grow in the future.
“Building foundations” wasn’t just about coding. It was about innovation, sustainability, and growth. The organizers wanted students to think about how their ideas could make a real difference — whether that meant creating a helpful app, an eco-friendly solution, or a tool to improve people’s lives.
For example, one team might build a simple mobile app that helps people recycle better. Another might design a tool that teaches coding to kids. Both are great examples of building something strong from the ground up — which is what the theme is all about.
Who Can Join BirmingHack?
The first birmingHack was open to University of Birmingham students aged 18 and above. It was an invite-only event for its debut year, but the organizers hope to expand it to other universities soon.
The best part? It’s completely free to join! Students just need to register early to get a spot. Once inside, everything — from food to workshops — is included. So participants can focus on what matters most: creating cool projects and meeting new people.
And it’s not only for advanced coders. The event was proudly beginner-friendly, meaning even those with little experience could jump in and learn from others. In fact, one of the most popular awards was the “Best Newcomer Hack”, which encouraged first-timers to shine.
A Weekend Full of Energy and Ideas
Imagine this: it’s Saturday noon at the University of Birmingham. You walk into the Computer Science Building with your laptop and a group of friends. The air smells of coffee and excitement. Everyone’s setting up their tables, brainstorming, and getting ready for 24 hours of non-stop creativity.
That’s the spirit of birmingHack.
Throughout the weekend, students worked on projects that ranged from fun games to smart AI tools. There were workshops, coding help desks, and even side activities to keep everyone fresh — like chess tournaments, cup-stacking contests, and midnight movie sessions.
These little touches made the hackathon special. It wasn’t just about coding; it was about building friendships, learning new skills, and having fun while doing it. As one participant joked, “I came for the free pizza and stayed for the teamwork.”
Prizes That Inspire Creativity
Of course, every hackathon has prizes — and birmingHack made sure there was something exciting for everyone.
The main prize was a brand-new Raspberry Pi 5 for each team member. But there were also many fun and creative awards, like:
- 🧠 Best AI Hack (by AlgoSoc) — for teams that built the smartest AI projects.
- 🎤 Best Voice AI Hack (by Neuphonic) — for projects using speech and sound.
- 🐋 Best Newcomers — where winners took home soft IKEA Blåhaj plush toys.
- 😄 Most Fun Hack (by CSS) — for quirky, funny, and entertaining projects, with LEGO Old Joe as the prize!
- 🧩 Majestic’s “Surprise Us” Challenge — rewarding creativity and imagination with goody bags, speakers, and LEGO flower sets.
The prizes weren’t just about money or gadgets. They celebrated creativity, effort, and fun. Even small ideas that made people smile could win something, and that made the competition feel friendly and supportive.
How BirmingHack Was Judged
With so many great projects, you might wonder — how do they decide who wins?
The judging was done by representatives from CSS, Neuphonic, AlgoSoc, and GDS (Game Development Society). The main judging criteria were simple but smart:
- Theme Fit: Does the project match the idea of “building foundations”?
- Creativity: Is it original and fresh?
- Technical Skill: Did the team learn or build something new?
- Does It Work? Because sometimes, the simplest working demo can be the most impressive.
These clear and fair rules made sure everyone had an equal chance to shine, no matter their skill level.
The Spirit of Collaboration
What really made birmingHack stand out was its community spirit. Students from different backgrounds and courses came together to build something new. Some were experienced developers; others were trying out coding for the first time. But once the clock started, everyone became part of one big team — the birmingHack family.
It wasn’t about beating others. It was about learning, sharing, and growing together. Many students said they learned more in 24 hours at birmingHack than in weeks of lectures — and they left with new friends, skills, and memories.
The Projects That Stood Out at BirmingHack 2025
Every hackathon has a few projects that steal the spotlight — and birmingHack was no different. Students worked day and night, powered by snacks, teamwork, and a love for creating something new.
The top project of birmingHack 2025 was called Floorplan. It amazed the judges with its clever design and practical use. The team behind it showed not only great coding skills but also strong creativity and teamwork. The project even caught the attention of Majestic, one of the event’s sponsors, who gave it extra recognition for being “delightfully surprising.”
Another favorite was SocratEase, a project that used artificial intelligence in a smart and meaningful way. It wasn’t just about cool technology — it was about making learning easier for people. The judges loved how well it mixed AI with education.
And then there was Guess the Voice, which won the Best Voice AI Hack award. It used speech recognition in a fun and interactive way, showing how sound-based technology can be both entertaining and useful. These projects proved that birmingHack isn’t just about coding — it’s about creativity, curiosity, and bringing ideas to life.
The Sponsors Who Made It Possible
A big reason why birmingHack was such a success is the amazing group of sponsors and partners who helped make it happen. From financial support to prizes and mentoring, they made sure the event had everything students needed to thrive.
Some of the key sponsors included Neuphonic, Majestic, Kainos, Valyfy, and The Trade Desk. Each one brought something special to the event. For example, Neuphonic sponsored the Voice AI challenges, encouraging students to explore how voice and sound can power new ideas. Majestic, known for its creative approach to technology, hosted a “Surprise Us” challenge that rewarded fun and originality.
Behind the scenes, the Computer Science Society (CSS) and the University of Birmingham’s Guild of Students worked tirelessly to plan and run everything smoothly. Their hard work showed in every detail — from the event setup to the late-night snacks and workshops. Without their effort, birmingHack wouldn’t have been the lively, inclusive event it turned out to be.
Creating an Inclusive and Safe Space
One of the things that made birmingHack special was its warm and welcoming atmosphere. The organizers wanted everyone — no matter their background, gender, or experience — to feel safe and supported.
A clear Code of Conduct was in place to make sure everyone was treated with respect. Harassment or discrimination was not tolerated, and the event encouraged kindness, teamwork, and inclusion above all else.
They also thought about small but important details — like food options for different diets and accessibility support for students with special needs. These thoughtful touches made birmingHack feel open to everyone, not just tech experts. It was a space where people could learn, make mistakes, and grow without fear of judgment.
Why BirmingHack Matters
It’s easy to think of a hackathon as just a coding competition. But birmingHack was much more than that. For many students, it was their first real-world tech experience. It gave them the chance to work in teams, manage time under pressure, and present their ideas — just like in a real job or startup environment.
For the students, it was a chance to discover their strengths. Some learned that they loved design or user experience (UX). Others found out they enjoyed problem-solving or working on AI tools. Many students said the event boosted their confidence and showed them that they could achieve a lot in just 24 hours.
For the industry sponsors, birmingHack was a great way to connect with fresh talent. Companies could see how students think, create, and solve problems. It helped them spot future interns or employees with strong potential and creativity.
And for the University of Birmingham, it was a proud moment. The event strengthened the university’s image as a hub for technology and innovation. Hosting such a successful hackathon proved that Birmingham is full of bright young minds ready to shape the future.
The Impact on the Tech Community
After birmingHack 2025, there was a noticeable buzz around the Midlands tech scene. Students who took part shared their experiences on social media, inspiring others to join the next one. Teachers and mentors praised how much participants had learned in such a short time.
Many teams decided to keep working on their projects even after the hackathon ended. Some planned to turn their ideas into startups or open-source tools. This kind of enthusiasm shows the true purpose of events like birmingHack — to spark long-term creativity and innovation.
The success of birmingHack 2025 also helped connect different student tech groups, such as AlgoSoc, GDS, and AFNOM. These societies plan to collaborate more often, building a stronger and more united tech community in Birmingham.
Looking Ahead: The Future of BirmingHack
With its first year being such a success, the future of birmingHack looks bright. The organizers are already thinking about how to make it bigger and better.
In the coming years, they hope to open the event to students from other universities, not just Birmingham. That means more ideas, more collaboration, and more fun. There are also plans to increase the prize pool, host more themed challenges, and bring in new sponsors from across the tech industry.
But one thing will never change — the friendly and creative spirit that makes birmingHack special. Whether it’s a student building their first project or a team developing a complex AI system, everyone is welcome. The focus will always be on learning, sharing, and building together.
Final Thoughts
At its heart, birmingHack is more than a hackathon. It’s a movement that brings students, teachers, and industry professionals together through technology and creativity. In just 24 hours, people learn, grow, and create things that can make a difference in the real world.
If you’re a student who loves solving problems or just wants to try something new, birmingHack is the place for you. You don’t need to be a coding expert — you just need curiosity, teamwork, and a good idea.
As one participant said, “It’s amazing what you can build in one day when you have the right people around you.” And that’s what birmingHack is all about — building foundations, building skills, and building the future together.
