**Shape the Future in Sydney: Forge the Future Hackathon**

Get ready to revolutionize the future of technology in one of Australia's most vibrant cities – Sydney! The Forge the Future hackathon, held during Elastic{ON} Sydney, is an opportunity for innovators, builders, and creators to come together and harness the power of Search AI to drive meaningful change in their communities. With a focus on human-centric innovation, this event is not just about building solutions, but also about building a better future.

On March 2, 2026, Sydney will become the hub of AI-driven change as some of the brightest minds gather at the Forge the Future hackathon. But what sets this event apart from the usual hype surrounding AI? It's an opportunity for individuals to use Search AI to tackle real-world challenges and create 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. During the hackathon, participants will get hands-on experience with the latest technologies, including Elastic Agent Builder and new workflow capabilities. They'll also receive one-on-one mentorship from Elastic AI experts, ensuring they have everything they need to bring their ideas to life.

Don't let uncertainty hold you back – our virtual workshops between February 2nd and 10th will help refine your ideas before the build begins. Join us as we workshop your vision with our team and turn that blank canvas into a masterpiece.

**What I'm Looking for as a Judge**

I'll be looking at each project with a critical eye, searching for not just technical complexity, but impact and innovation. Your solution needs to have a practical, real-world use case – something that can make a tangible difference in people's lives. Take inspiration from organizations like the US Army Corps of Engineers, who are using Elastic to dredge rivers, or the US Geological Survey (USGS), which uses a real-time system to detect earthquakes by searching tweets.

We're not just looking for novelty; we want innovation that leans into agentic AI and utilizes the entire Elasticsearch Platform. This means integrating search, security, and observability in ways that were previously unimaginable. Bonus marks are awarded for innovative use of generative AI through Elastic Agent Builder – but remember, innovation must be responsible.

We're not just looking at what you can build; we also care about how you handle data ethics. Show us how your solution is simple, usable, and considers the well-being of those it impacts. The winning team will take home a prize package that includes a Meta Quest 3S for each member.

**Event Details**

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of something groundbreaking!

  • Registration and idea submission: Open until February 13th, 2026
  • Idea generation workshop (virtual): February 2nd–10th, 2026
  • Pre-hackathon kick-off (virtual): February 27th, 2026
  • Hackathon day: March 2nd, 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

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