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Shape the future in Sydney: Forge the Future hackathon

An Elastic hackathon judge shares why you should be at the Forge the Future hackathon at Elastic{ON} Sydney and what he seeks in innovation and impact.

By
Nils Thomsen
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On 2 March 2026, Sydney will become a hub of AI-driven change. The AI hype is everywhere, but Sydney’s Forge the Future hackathon is more than just the buzz. It’s an opportunity for builders, creators, and job seekers to use Search AI to tackle community challenges and move beyond the productivity gains we see every day.

What you will work on

This hackathon is about human-centric innovation, moving beyond the hype to build solutions that uplift communities. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just curious about the future of tech, this is your chance to make a difference.

Participants will get hands-on with the latest tech, including Elastic Agent Builder and new workflow capabilities, and receive one-on-one mentorship from Elastic AI experts.

Stuck on an idea? We’ve got you covered

Don't let a blank canvas stop you. Join our virtual workshops between 2 February and 10 February to workshop your vision with our team and refine your ideas before the build begins.

What I’m looking for as a judge

As a judge, I’m looking for impact and innovation rather than just technical complexity. Your solution needs a practical, real-world use case. For example, Elastic helps the US Army Corps of Engineers dredge rivers, and the US Geological Survey (USGS) uses a real-time system to detect earthquakes by searching tweets.

There is a massive opportunity for organizations to solve problems by using AI to find needles in a haystack that are impossible to find manually. I am especially interested in projects that lean into agentic AI and use the entire Elasticsearch Platform, integrating search, security, and observability.

Bonus marks (25% of your score!) are awarded for novelty and the innovative use of generative AI, particularly through Elastic Agent Builder. Just remember: Innovation must be responsible. Show us how you handle data ethics while keeping your solution simple and usable.

Your hackathon journey

The top three teams' projects will be showcased on the main stage at Elastic{ON} Sydney on 5 March in front of over 450 industry leaders. The winning team will also be featured on the global Elastic blog.

  • Registration and idea submission: Open until 13 February 2026

  • Idea generation workshop (virtual): 2–10 February 2026

  • Pre-hackathon kick-off (virtual): 27 February 2026

  • Hackathon day: 2 March 2026 (9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.) at the AWS office, Level 37, 26 Park Street, Sydney

  • Team composition: 2 to 5 members per team

  • Prizes: Grand prize is a Meta Quest 3S for each team member; runners-up will win LEGO Star Wars sets or David Jones gift vouchers.

Sydney is ready for your best ideas. Let’s build a future where technology is more connected, more intelligent, and more impactful than ever before.

Register your team today.

The release and timing of any features or functionality described in this post remain at Elastic's sole discretion. Any features or functionality not currently available may not be delivered on time or at all.

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