Bangor University hosts first Hyder Hackathon showcasing bold new ventures for health and environmental impact
Bangor University has successfully hosted the first Hyder Hackathon, a two‑day innovation event that brought together staff and students to develop scalable business ideas tackling major challenges in both health and the environment. The Hackathon took place in Pontio on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 March, culminating in a series of dynamic 10‑minute pitches to an expert judging panel.
The event was created and delivered in partnership with Hyder Ventures, a social impact initiative founded and led by Dr Elin Haf Davies founder of Aparito, a global health innovator and record‑breaking ocean adventurer, and her husband Chris Frost. Together, they sponsored the Hackathon and provided hands‑on mentorship throughout the weekend as part of their mission to grow a North Wales hub for socially driven, commercially viable innovation.
The Hackathon was delivered with support from a dedicated Bangor University team, led by Dr Tessa Davey from the School of Computer Science and Engineering, with mentoring and business guidance provided by Dr Siwan Mitchelmore from The Albert Gubay Business School. Staff from across the University coordinated the event, creating a collaborative environment where teams could develop their ideas into investment‑ready proposals.
Dr Tessa Davey said, “It was an incredible opportunity to organise the first Hyder Hackathon, creating an innovation sprint event that promoted entrepreneurialism and social enterprise, accessible to all regardless of any previous business experience or training. The event brought together staff and students from Schools across the University, and it was a joy to facilitate the development of diverse teams and ideas across the hackathon.”
Over the Hackathon weekend, teams worked intensively with mentors to refine their ideas, build financial models, and prepare their 10‑slide pitch decks. Judges assessed pitches on commercial viability, potential to be market‑ready within two years, and the team’s distinctive strengths.
Following an intensive round of pitches by a number of teams, Pelagic Paints and Neural Arcade secured equity investment packages of varying amounts, along with places on Hyder Ventures’ six‑month accelerator programme.
Pelagic Paints, led by postgraduate student India Marshall from the School of Computer Science and Engineering, and undergraduate student Ebenezer Mwema from The Albert Gubay Business School, pitched a concept designed to enhance environmental sustainability while reducing operational costs in the marine industry.
Neural Arcade, led by Dr Ken Valyear, senior lecturer in psychology, and Dr Peter Butcher, lecturer in human computer interaction, alongside Karl Jackson, Consultant Stroke Therapist at Ysbyty Eryri, presented rehabilitation-focused games aimed at improving stroke patient outcomes and optimised for use within the local area.
Each successful team will receive tailored mentorship, weekly one‑to‑one sessions with Dr Elin Haf Davies and Chris Frost, and access to co‑working space in Bangor. Teams will also be considered for up to £100,000 in follow‑on investment upon completion of the accelerator.
Professor Enlli Thomas, Pro‑Vice-Chancellor for Welsh Language, Culture and the Region at Bangor University, praised the quality and ambition of the ideas developed over the weekend, saying: The energy and creativity on display throughout the Hyder Hackathon were truly inspiring. Staff and students came together to develop bold ideas with the potential to make a meaningful difference to the health of our communities and the environment. It was a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when we create space for collaboration and imagination to flourish. We are deeply grateful to Dr Elin Haf Davies and Chris Frost for choosing Bangor University as the home for this new initiative and for their generous support in helping these ideas take flight.”
As founders of Hyder Ventures, Dr Elin Haf Davies and Chris Frost played a central role in curating the event and championing ideas with strong social impact potential.
Dr Elin Haf Davies said: “I’m extremely grateful to Bangor University for joining forces with us on this initiative. As the world around us changes at rapid pace in view of AI, climate impact and geopolitical instability we want to ensure that young people in North Wales can act locally while thinking globally. This means investing financially in their ideas and mentoring them to building sustainable businesses that are good for people and planet. I’m excited and optimistic to see how this evolves.”