Innovation Takes Centre Stage at the RIMPA Live 2026 Hackathon!

Held on 19-20 October 2026 in Sydney, this year's Hackathon attracted a record 18 team registrations, with eight teams competing to develop innovative solutions to real-world information management challenges.

The competition kicked off on Monday, 19 October at the OpenText offices overlooking Sydney Harbour, providing an inspiring setting for a day of problem-solving, teamwork and creative thinking. Final presentations followed on Tuesday, 20 October, with teams pitching their solutions to an expert judging panel.

One of the most encouraging aspects of this year's event was the strong participation from students and emerging professionals, including representatives from the University of Technology Sydney and Deakin University in Victoria. Many participants brought expertise in data science, engineering, systems architecture and related disciplines, demonstrating the growing connections between information management and other technology-focused professions.

The Hackathon also extended well beyond Sydney, with participants joining virtually from across Australia and internationally, including Kenya. Despite competing for the $10,000 prize, teams embraced a collaborative spirit, sharing ideas and supporting one another throughout the event.

And the Winner Is... Dev Hunters!

With an exceptionally high standard of entries, the judges faced the difficult task of selecting a winner. Teams demonstrated impressive creativity, technical capability and innovative thinking, with three standout finalists ultimately shortlisted.

The winners were officially announced at the RIMPA Live Diamond Ball on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, with Dev Hunters claiming the top prize!

Congratulations to the winning team members:

• Joseph K. Saji

• Gaurav Myana

• Parth Vaghela

• Ayush Indapure

Dev Hunters were no strangers to the RIMPA Live Hackathon, having finished as runners-up in 2025. Returning with valuable experience and lessons from the previous year, the team strengthened its approach by incorporating a clear user story into its pitch, helping demonstrate the practical application and purpose of its solution.

Their determination, innovation and commitment to improving on last year's performance paid off, earning them the 2026 Hackathon title and the $10,000 prize.

Stay tuned for our next newsletter, where we'll take a closer look at Dev Hunters and their winning solution!

Inspiring the Next Generation of Information Professionals

Beyond the competition, the RIMPA Live Hackathon plays an important role in bringing together people from different disciplines to explore the challenges and opportunities facing information management.

By encouraging participation from students, technology specialists and emerging professionals, the event helps raise awareness of the importance of information governance while demonstrating the exciting career opportunities available within the industry.

It also provides a valuable platform for fresh perspectives, cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovative ideas that have the potential to influence the future of records and information management.

A Huge Thank You to Everyone Involved!

An event of this scale would not be possible without the dedication and generosity of the many individuals and organisations who contribute their time, expertise and support.

A special thank you to the National Archives of Australia for its continued sponsorship of the Hackathon and generous support, helping foster innovation and encourage the next generation of information professionals.

Our sincere appreciation also goes to:

• Our judges: Conni Christensen, Gavin Heaton, Greg Long, James Price and Josephine Secis, who faced the challenging task of assessing the impressive solutions presented by each team.

• Our mentors: For generously sharing their expertise, offering guidance and supporting participants throughout the competition.

• OpenText: For hosting the first day of the Hackathon at its spectacular Sydney offices.

• Our dedicated Steering Committee: Sarah Eddy, Anne Cornish, Laina Hender, Lydia Loriente, Andrea McIntosh, David Pryde and Joy Siller, led by Peter Gaca, for their hard work in bringing the event together and ensuring everything ran smoothly.

And finally, thank you to every team and participant who contributed their time, energy and creativity to the 2026 Hackathon. The quality of the solutions, enthusiasm of the competitors and collaborative spirit throughout the event made this year's competition a tremendous success.

Congratulations once again to Dev Hunters! We look forward to seeing the ideas, innovations and talent that the RIMPA Live Hackathon continues to inspire in the years ahead.