We believe that the best solutions are born from a culture of continuous learning and bold collaboration, so returning to the University of Northampton for our second annual Hackathon was a much anticipated date on our calendar. It was a chance to step away from our desks, engage with some of the region’s brightest emerging talent, and remind ourselves of the core principles that drive our industry: curiosity, problem-solving, and teamwork.
From Brief to Business Case: 24 Hours of Innovation
The challenge we set this year was ambitious: build a fully functional online booking system from scratch in just over a day. We didn't just want code; we wanted a complete professional experience.
The students were divided into four teams, navigating the entire project lifecycle at speed. They interviewed our team (who role-played as demanding clients and end-users) to extract requirements, then set to work building back-end databases, APIs, and polished front-end interfaces. By the second day, they weren't just presenting freshly built software; they were also delivering comprehensive business cases with well worked out costings.
"I cannot thank Toru Digital enough for their continued support of the University of Northampton through the Challenge Event hackathon series. The opportunity for students to gain real-world experience working on an authentic industry project is invaluable. It allows them to benchmark their current skills against professional expectations, build confidence, and better understand what it means to be industry-ready.
Toru Digital not only delivers an engaging and highly realistic challenge, but also provides detailed and constructive feedback on student performance. This feedback enables students to reflect meaningfully on their strengths and areas for development as they progress towards graduate employment. It is an outstanding opportunity for our students, and I am extremely grateful for the ongoing collaboration.”
Dr Mark Johnson, BSc Software Engineering Degree Course Leader, University of Northampton
Navigating the AI Frontier
A few weeks after the heat of the competition, we returned to the University to present certificates and engage in a broader dialogue about the future. In a period of rapid transition, where AI-assisted coding is fundamentally changing the landscape, the students were naturally curious about what the job market holds for them.
The consensus? While the tools are evolving, the human element remains irreplaceable. Whether you are a designer or a developer, you are, at your heart, a problem solver.
Our Full-Stack Developer, Ifrah, shared a vital perspective during the feedback session:
"It is easy to get distracted by the noise of new technology, but your value lies in your ability to focus on the problem at hand. Technology will change, but the ability to think critically and solve a client's challenge is a skill that will always be in demand."
Ifrah Abdi, Full Stack Developer at Toru Digital
Investing in Our Region
Northamptonshire is a hub of potential, and as a company that has always hired locally, seeing the calibre of talent coming through the University is incredibly encouraging. Hackathons offer a bridge between academia and the professional world, giving students a taste of the pressure and the rewards of real-world delivery.
For our Managing Director, Sean Toru, the event reinforces the values that Toru Digital was built upon:
"It’s mind-blowing what these teams achieved in such a short window. In an uncertain time, there is immense opportunity for those who stay clever, creative, and passionate. If you focus on communicating effectively, being honest and diligent, and learning how to win as a team, you will find success regardless of how the industry shifts."
Sean Toru, AI Engineer & MD at Toru Digital
A Community of Practice
The event concluded with an informal networking session at the University bar, joined by fellow industry partners from The Access Group. Sharing perspectives on student development and software management with other local leaders reminded us that we are part of a thriving, supportive ecosystem.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Mark Johnson and the team at the University of Northampton for their continued partnership and for making these events possible. We are already looking forward to the 2027 event. To the students who participated: thank you for your energy and your insight. The future of the industry is in very capable hands.
Congratulations to our 2026 Winners:
- Overall Winner: Group 4
- Best Technical Implementation: Group 1
- Best Group Dynamics & Teamwork: Group 2
- Best Commercial Presentation: Group 3
Partner with us
We are passionate about bridging the gap between education and industry. If you are an employer looking to find out about the benefits of nurturing with the generation of talent, or if you are interested in how Toru Digital engineers high-impact digital solutions from our base in the heart of Northamptonshire, we would love to hear from you.
“It's genuinely rewarding to help shape the next generation of talent and seeing their individuality and creativity shine through under the pressure of 2 days always leaves me inspired.”
Ifrah Abdi, Full Stack Developer at Toru Digital
