A structured, one-day sprint where cross-functional trios tackle real customer problems — powered by AI, driven by intent. Not a traditional hackathon. Applied innovation with tangible outputs from minute one.
What is Evoke Labs
Evoke Labs is a focused step toward building a more intentional, repeatable approach to innovation across Product, Engineering, and Product Design. Not blue-sky ideation — applied, hands-on exploration.
Teams use AI tools as collaborative partners, accelerating thinking, creation, and iteration to meaningfully multiply output. AI is the fourth team member, always in the room.
The format
A tightly constrained day designed to feel open, energising, and empowering. Precision and momentum — from kickoff to showcase.
Structured milestones across Wednesday 17 June 2026. By end of day, every team has a prototype, validated concept, or clear recommendation.
We will try to form teams by location — Dublin, London, Romania, Poland, Israel, and Leeds — so trios can collaborate hands-on, share a time zone, and meet new people across the business.
Customer-centric, data-informed problem statements aligned to strategic priorities. Pre-defined to eliminate Day 1 ambiguity — teams are in flow from minute one.
AI tools are mandatory, not optional. Use them to accelerate research, sketch, prototype, and iterate. The amplification layer — augmenting, not replacing.
Demonstrable prototype or concept. Clear problem articulation. Summary of AI learnings.
Teams present to the judging panel on Thursday 18 June. A structured decision point — with winners selected and next steps agreed.
How it works
Register your interest using the form by 10 June. We’ll ask for a few details about your role, skills, and interests.
We’ll create balanced cross-functional teams bringing together Engineering, Product, and Design skills and perspectives.
Each team will be assigned a predefined customer problem statement to tackle during the hackathon.
If registrations exceed capacity, selection will be based on creating balanced cross-functional teams across Engineering, Product, and Design. We’ll notify everyone by 11 June.
Before the hackathon kicks off, we’ll encourage teams to connect, meet each other, and start shaping ideas together.
Day structure
Teams receive their challenge. Clear briefing, zero ambiguity. AI tools set up and running. Energy set from the first minute.
DefineTrios work in deep focus — researching, sketching, building. AI runs in parallel across every workstream. Milestone check-ins keep momentum high.
ExploreConcepts sharpen. Prototypes get real. Teams prepare their narrative — the customer problem, what they built, and what AI made possible.
DeliverTeams present their concepts to Ian Gallagher, Rik Barker, Kanda Kumar, and Alan Conlan on Thursday 18 June. Winners and follow-up decisions are made from the evidence shown.
JudgingWhat you'll deliver
A clear, concise statement of the customer problem — grounded in data, not assumption.
Required outputA working prototype or validated concept. Something you can show — not just describe.
Required outputA summary of how AI was used — what it unlocked, where it fell short, what you'd do differently.
Required outputA clear verdict: pursue, iterate, or stop. Backed by evidence from the day's work.
Required outputRecognition
For the strongest concept overall, judged on customer impact, problem clarity, prototype quality, strategic fit, and strength of recommendation.
For a high-quality concept with strong evidence, a compelling prototype or validated direction, and clear potential for further development.
Voted for on the day by everyone watching the sessions. A people’s choice award for the concept that lands strongest with the audience.
— Prizes are listed in euro and will be converted to local currency where required. —
Judging panel
Questions, team logistics, and event updates will be handled through the Evoke Labs Slack channel.
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