A decade ago, when I first stepped into the Christchurch tech ecosystem, stepping into the local startup environment felt both exciting and daunting. I was new to the scene, navigating my way through a world of possibilities and uncertainties. Then came my first hackathon—and I was hooked.
At these hackathons, surrounded by creative minds and passionate innovators, I gained a newfound confidence. I started pitching ideas around the potential of VR, AR, and AI for industry applications. With nothing but a few proof-of-concepts and demos, I realized I had the power to show, rather than just tell, what these technologies could achieve. And, to my amazement, people believed in the vision. Some even joined my team and a few would eventually become clients, collaborators, and lifelong connections Afi Tusa Helen Figg Qi Min Ser, Daniel Thomson Michael Healy Grace de Leon Santosh Seshadri Deborah Lemon Sathya Kumar Barathan Synco Reynders Bhuvan Sarupuri, Ph.D. Fawaz Syed Nitil Chaudhary Jeremy Lawson Craig Moody. This unique space for idea-sharing, where collaboration flourishes and creativity ignites, would become a cornerstone of my approach to innovation and leadership.
Embracing Time-Constrained Innovation
In a hackathon, diverse minds come together under intense time constraints, pushing boundaries and testing ideas in real time. This environment taught me that urgency drives innovation and that impactful solutions arise when people with different backgrounds work together toward a common goal.
The event, ActInSpace®, is a 24-hour hackathon in Christchurch on the 25th and 26th of May, hosted by the Centre for Space Science Technology (CSST) and the New Zealand Space Agency.
Events like Startup Weekend, Future City activator, and ActInSpace taught me the importance of agile, user-centric design. The ideas and energy in the room are incomparable, contrasting starkly with the slower-paced, structured environments of traditional corporate settings. At hackathons, you’re not just a cog in the wheel—you’re a creator of momentum.
Learning Beyond Conventional Solutions
Startup Weekend was a pivotal moment in my journey. Immersed in a melting pot of entrepreneurs, designers, and developers, we aimed to identify a problem, design a solution, and build a prototype—all within 24 hours. This experience solidified the value of lean design and rapid iteration for me. Some of our ideas were ahead of their time, and often we were considered “too small” or “too ambitious.” Yet, these experiences taught me that the most important asset is not the idea itself but the people who believe in you and your vision—they go the distance with you. Credits: Gill Dal Din Marian Johnson Rob Lawrence Pierre Malou Michael Philpott ⚓️ Michael Healy Grace de Leon Geoff Brash Mark Rocket Emeline Paat-Dahlstrom Eric Dahlstrom 🌏 Usman Iftikhar Jacob Varghese Jeffrey Ling Erica Austin Neil Hamilton Leon Mooney Ryan Smith Thanks, to Ministry of Awesome SpaceBase Limited Aerospace New Zealand Boma ChristchurchNZ smartcity Christchurch Christchurch City Council Callaghan Innovation
Expanding Horizons Through Challenges
My involvement in challenges like ActInSpace and the NZ Space Challenge broadened my perspective. Tackling real-world issues with space data pushed me to explore how technology could address both terrestrial and extraterrestrial needs. This expanded my belief that innovation knows no boundaries and that impactful solutions can arise across a variety of domains.
The “Fail Fast, Learn Faster” Ethos
One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned is the importance of “failing fast and learning faster.” In hackathons, perfection is a luxury we can’t afford. This mindset encourages us to simplify, to engage users early, and to iterate quickly. It’s a philosophy that drives my work at JIX Reality—recognizing that true value emerges not from the first attempt but through continuous testing and refinement.
A Commitment to Agile Leadership
Reflecting on these experiences, I am dedicated to fostering an agile and collaborative environment in every project. Prioritizing user needs, rapid prototyping, and low-fidelity design are essential parts of my approach. I strive to ensure that each initiative we undertake is grounded in real-world impact and aligned with a fast-paced, iterative process.
Looking Ahead
For me, the hackathon mindset is more than a method—it’s a guiding philosophy. It reminds us that innovation is not a fixed destination; it’s an ongoing journey of building, testing, and learning. I am committed to embracing this spirit of collaboration and creativity as I move forward, believing that true innovation happens when we fully engage with both the process and the people involved.
