Set sail for innovation!

Hack Pompey returns, teaming up with Sea Change to explore sustainable improvements around Portsmouth's vital port and waterways.

Whether you're a seasoned coder, a design whiz, an engineering enthusiast, or simply someone with a passion for positive change, we invite you to join this collaborative day of creativity and problem-solving.

Let's build a greener future for our harbor together!

What is Hack Pompey?

Hack Pompey is a FREE social hackathon taking place on Saturday March 29th at the University of Portsmouth.

We welcome people from all backgrounds and disciplines to join us, learn something new, and build something awesome together!

What can I build?

Anything that is on theme!

This year we’ll be focussing our attention on anything that could benefit from the data that the Sea Change team has been collecting over the last 18 months — air quality, water quality, and even goods in and out of the port — or anything to do with sustainable improvements around Portsmouth's vital port and waterways.

We know how daunting coming up with ideas can be though, so we'll make things a little easier by publishing some challenges before the event that you might want to attempt.

To get a vibe of what people have made in the past, check out our write-up of last year’s Hack Pompey: Move event.

Do I need a team?

We believe that people have the most fun and build the best things when they work together.

If you don't yet have a team, don't worry! There will be plenty of opportunity to form a team at the event.

Some other things

• Community over contest
  Everyone is welcome, we care about this being a safe and fun environment.
• Free food and drink
  Breakfast, lunch, snacks are provided. We gotta keep you fueled throughout!
• Nab a free Hack Pompey x Sea Change T-shirt!
  When ordering your ticket, you’ll be prompted to select your shirt size. Tees will be available for collection at the registration desk on the day of the event. The free tees have already gone to order and are no longer available for new sign-ups.
• Bring your tools and equipment
  Laptops, craft supplies, pen & paper, Raspberry Pis. Whatever you need for your hacking/making!
  
  Note: the use of soldering equipment or any other equipment that can cause damage to furniture or materials at the venue are not permitted. If in doubt, please contact us before the event.

• 09:00—09:45: Doors Open - the event begins!
  Time to check-in and get your wristband, grab some free breakfast, drink some much needed coffee and mingle with like-minded hackers!
• 
  09:45—10:15: Opening talk
  We'll introduce ourselves, let you know what you can expect throughout the day and give you our top tips for making the most of a hack day.
• 
  10:15—13:00: Hacking begins
  You will either start hacking away if you know what you're going to make, otherwise you can join our group and idea forming session where we’ll help you to come up with a game plan for the day.
• 
  13:00—13:30: Lunch
  Enjoy some tasty food and relax for a bit!
• 
  13:30—16:00: Hacking continues
  After lunch comes the crunch, only 2 and a half hours to get your projects and presentations to a "good enough" state.
• 
  16:00-17:00: Show & Tell, and voting for the People’s Choice Award!
  While this isn't a contest, we will have some awards for your favourite projects.

Here’s what previous hackers had to say about Hack Pompey

“I felt immediately welcomed and inspired by the energy and creativity of everybody involved.” – Dan Branch

“Being able to ask someone ‘how do they do that’ and then being able to have a go has been invaluable to my business’s research & development.” – Helen Goss

“When I went the theme was Sustainability. My team’s project was Deathlaser, a browser-based game about destroying blocks which, in my opinion, is about as sustainable as it gets.” – Jack Travis

Fancy a longer read? Check out these post-event write-ups from the community

The Power of Innovation by Andrew Zak “Very occasionally, Loadbalancer lets me out into the real world. Madness, I know. And the break from the office to participate in this local hackathon was just what the doctor ordered...”

Blahbarian by Zoe Aubert “We didn't know what we wanted to do and were hoping to find some inspiration when we got there. In the office, we have a Blahaj, and it's been the centre of a few shenanigans. In a moment of inspiration, I came up with the idea of...”

If you have any other questions, please drop us a line at contact@hackpompey.co.uk or reach out on social media.