Teams have 30 hours to turn an idea into a working prototype at UOW’s Innovation Campus and contribute to a more sustainable Wollongong
Illawarra coders, designers and ideas people will converge at the University of Wollongong’s (UOW) https://www.iaccelerate.com.au/iAccelerate this weekend for the Illawarra’s biggest hackathon, Hack the Gong.
Over 30 hours across Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August, teams will brainstorm, collaborate and build tech-driven prototypes from scratch before pitching to a panel of judges. Now sold out, the two-day event is built around teamwork rather than solo competition, bringing passionate participants together to tackle real-world problems.
Groups are formed on the day and supported by industry mentors, tackling wide-ranging challenge briefs spanning workplace and community problems to accelerating the region’s clean energy transition. UOW students are expected to make up a significant proportion of participants, bringing fresh ideas, technical skills and entrepreneurial energy to the weekend.
The event is hosted at iAccelerate, the region’s dedicated startup incubator and accelerator based at UOW’s Innovation Campus.
“Hack the Gong proves Wollongong has a regional tech scene punching above its weight and gives the next generation of tech talent the chance to test their ideas in the real world,” says Director of iAccelerate, Tam Stutchbury. “Hackathon events are a great way to connect every part of the Illawarra tech scene, bringing everyone together across a single weekend.”
Industry support has been strong, with Wollongong City Council, Silligong Valley – the Illawarra’s long standing tech community – and Scalapay all sponsoring the event with challenges and cash prizes for winners. Local aged care providers, community and industry groups also contributed their own challenge statements.
Over $5,000 in prizes will be awarded across categories with judging based on originality, feasibility and impact.
Hackathons are increasingly used to scout emerging talent and pressure-test new product ideas at speed. Hack the Gong compresses the usual product development timeline into a single weekend sprint, with programmers, designers and strategists working side by side to get from idea to functioning prototype in a fixed window while giving the participants direct exposure to potential employers.
Event Details:
- What: 2026 Hack the Gong
- Where: iAccelerate, UOW Innovation Campus, Building 239
- When: Saturday 22 – Sunday 23 August, 8:30 am – 5 pm
