A Scottish Government funded programme for S4โ€“S6 students from Edinburgh & Aberdeen high schools

Registration Closed

Registration Closed

START Hackathon - is a one day event designed to inspire and empower the next generation of entrepreneurial thinkers

START Hackathon - is a one day event designed to inspire and empower the next generation of entrepreneurial thinkers

NOMINATE A TEAM OF 5 STUDENTS

Registration Closed

Deadline: 16th January 2026



Date & Location: 

Aberdeen: 6th February 2026 (Friday).

๐Ÿ“ ONE Tech Hub

Edinburgh: 27th February 2026 (Friday).        

๐Ÿ“ Edinburgh Future Institute



Time: 9.00am โ€“ 3.30pm. 



Who should attend: S4-S6 students (aged 14-17), with an interest in business or leadership. To be chaperoned by one teacher.



Fee: The event is fully funded. Lunch provided! 

"START was beneficial in teaching me to use my problem-solving and team working skills which I know will be vital for my life in university and in my future career"


2025 Finalist, John Paul Academy

Why join the START Hackathon ?

Experience โ€˜real-worldโ€™ entrepreneurship

Develop skills in problem-solving, creativity and resilience

Build communication skills and confidence

Connect with peers beyond their own school

Be inspired by real local entrepreneurs

Registration Closed

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do students need to have business skills to attend?
A: No. Just the curiosity to learn!


Q: Do we need to send students from one year only?
A: Not necessarily. S6 students preferred, however we allow flexibility. We leave it to teachers to decide the best mix of students.


Q: Will transport be provided?
A: Transport is to be arranged by respective schools.


Q: Will food be provided?
A: Yes! We will provide welcome refreshments and lunch.


Q: What do we need to bring?
A: Notebook, stationeries, water bottle.
*Laptop may be advised 1 per team based on the city of event.

Registration Closed

โ€œItโ€™s excellent for learners to build their confidence and for staff to take part in as well.โ€

Danni Cohen


Teacher, St Thomas Aquinas Secondary School

Judges featuring industry leaders in innovation and entrepreneurship

Judges featuring industry leaders in innovation and entrepreneurship

Aberdeen Hackathon, ๐Ÿ“ ONE Tech Hub
6th February 2026
Aberdeen Hackathon, ๐Ÿ“ ONE Tech Hub
6th February 2026
Edinburgh Hackathon, ๐Ÿ“ Edinburgh Future Institute
27th February 2026
Edinburgh Hackathon, ๐Ÿ“ Edinburgh Future Institute
27th February 2026

Denis Pinto

AFBE Board Member and Managing Director, Caledonian Flow Systems Limited

Dr Anitha Karthik

Research Fellow, Centre for Net Zero High Density Buildings (CENZ-HighDB)

Dr Jeanette Forbes OBE

Chief Executive and Founder PCL Group; Proprietor Grape & Grain and Mediterranean

Claire Wheelan

Programme Manager, Codebase

Edinburgh Hackathon, ๐Ÿ“ Edinburgh Future Institute
27th February 2026

Edward Obi

Director of HR Hub Plus and Peridot Recruit Limited

Ifeanyichukwu Ezinmadu

Founder & CEO, SymphoMe

Barry Macdonald

Programme & Delivery Lead, Geovation Scotland

Aberdeen Hackathon, ๐Ÿ“ ONE Tech Hub
6th February 2026

Denis Pinto

AFBE Board Member and Managing Director, Caledonian Flow Systems Limited

Dr Anitha Karthik

Research Fellow, Centre for Net Zero High Density Buildings (CENZ-HighDB)

Dr Jeanette Forbes OBE

Chief Executive and Founder PCL Group; Proprietor Grape & Grain and Mediterranean

Claire Wheelan

Programme Manager, Codebase

Edinburgh Hackathon, ๐Ÿ“ Edinburgh Future Institute
27th February 2026

Edward Obi

Director of HR Hub Plus and Peridot Recruit Limited

Ifeanyichukwu Ezinmadu

Founder & CEO, SymphoMe

Barry Macdonald

Programme & Delivery Lead, Geovation Scotland

Aberdeen Hackathon, ๐Ÿ“ ONE Tech Hub
6th February 2026

Mentors featuring industry connectors and enablers in innovation and entrepreneurship

Mentors featuring industry connectors and enablers in innovation and entrepreneurship

Aberdeen Hackathon, ๐Ÿ“ ONE Tech Hub
6th February 2026
Aberdeen Hackathon, ๐Ÿ“ ONE Tech Hub
6th February 2026
Edinburgh Hackathon, ๐Ÿ“ Edinburgh Future Institute
27th February 2026
Edinburgh Hackathon, ๐Ÿ“ Edinburgh Future Institute
27th February 2026

Caroline Laurenson

Creator of Kindspace and Co-founder of TL Tech Smart Home Solutions

Mishal Howard-Taylor

Business Strategy & Marketing Consultant Koda Konsult

Brayden Sutherland

Head of Commercial Development, Evolve iMS

Liam McColl

Founder & CEO of FESTAG Codebase

Edinburgh Hackathon, ๐Ÿ“ Edinburgh Future Institute
27th February 2026

Tom Smith

Asset Manager, Harbour Energy

Philip Ford

School Leader and Founder of START

Oluwaseun Franklin Olabode

Director of Startup Grind Aberdeen

Aberdeen Hackathon, ๐Ÿ“ ONE Tech Hub
6th February 2026

Caroline Laurenson

Creator of Kindspace and Co-founder of TL Tech Smart Home Solutions

Mishal Howard-Taylor

Business Strategy & Marketing Consultant Koda Konsult

Brayden Sutherland

Head of Commercial Development, Evolve iMS

Liam McColl

Founder & CEO of FESTAG Codebase

Edinburgh Hackathon, ๐Ÿ“ Edinburgh Future Institute
27th February 2026

Tom Smith

Asset Manager, Harbour Energy

Philip Ford

School Leader and Founder of START

Oluwaseun Franklin Olabode

Director of Startup Grind Aberdeen

Aberdeen Hackathon, ๐Ÿ“ ONE Tech Hub
6th February 2026

Agenda

Agenda

Agenda

Agenda

0830: Registration

0900: Part 1- Welcome & Launch Your Startup

1000: Break

1010: Part 2- Generate the Idea

1215: Lunch & Idea Testing

1310: Part 3- Building & Pitching

1530: Results

15:30: Thank you!


0830: Registration

0900: Part 1- Welcome & Launch Your Startup

1000: Break

1010: Part 2- Generate the Idea

1215: Lunch & Idea Testing

1310: Part 3- Building & Pitching

1530: Results

15:30: Thank you!

Funded by:

Training partner:

Venue partners:

Supported by:

Funded by:

Training partner:

Venue partners:

Supported by:

Skillfluence is a UK-based skills development company with a mission to help researchers deliver maximum socio-economic value from their research, while realising their life and career goals. Over the last 8 years they have worked with over 80 universities and delivered programmes for more than 20,000 researchers, academics, PhD students and professional service staff.

Skillfluence is a UK-based skills development company with a mission to help researchers deliver maximum socio-economic value from their research, while realising their life and career goals. Over the last 8 years they have worked with over 80 universities and delivered programmes for more than 20,000 researchers, academics, PhD students and professional service staff.

The programme is delivered by Skillfluence Ltd.

The programme is delivered by Skillfluence Ltd.