The Cortex Accelerator Hub

Kimberley · Northern Cape

MICT SETA National Skills Challenge Hackathon

Northern Cape · 28–29 August 2026

AI and IoT Solutions for Rural Landscapes

A 48-hour hackathon for students and young innovators in the Northern Cape, delivered by The Cortex Accelerator Hub and funded by MICT SETA. Teams of three to five take a real provincial problem from idea to working prototype.

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Prize pool

R200 000

Dates
28–29 August 2026
Teams building together during a Cortex Accelerator Hub session
Illustrative · a Cortex Accelerator Hub build session

The 48 hours

  1. Hour 0

    Hackathon opens

  2. Hour 10

    First mentor check-in

  3. Hour 22

    Second mentor check-in

  4. Hour 48

    Prototypes locked

How a Cortex hackathon runs

A brief with real constraints

Each hackathon sets themes drawn from the sector it serves, so teams build against a problem that matters rather than an abstract prompt.

Mentored build time

Teams work through structured stages with mentors and the Hub's innovation labs on hand, from concept through to a working demo.

Judged, then supported

Solutions are scored against published criteria, and the strongest teams carry their work forward with the Hub's incubation and acceleration support.