This month, students from the University of Greenwich had a unique opportunity to work side-by-side with industry experts at the #GreHacks Alcatel hackathon—an action-packed two-day event hosted at the London headquarters of Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN), a global leader in undersea cable systems.
The Alcatel #GreHacks was a collaboration between the Partnerships Hub and the Generator, and made possible thanks to ASN’s partnership with the University of Greenwich, facilitated by the Partnership Hub. This free event offered students hands-on experience solving real business problems and pitching innovative solutions, giving them practical skills beyond the classroom. Throughout the weekend, participants worked in teams to tackle two challenges directly provided by ASN. Acting as business consultants, collaborating under time pressure to research, brainstorm, and propose real, actionable solutions—culminating in professional presentations to a panel of ASN experts. What made #GreHacks Alcatel particularly impactful was the layered learning experience built around the challenges. Participants weren’t just solving problems—they were learning how to approach them like pros.
Students took part in two key workshops delivered by the Generator team:
- Business Ideation & Problem Solving with Lea Rozencwajg Henry
- Pitching & Presenting with Lynette Lisk
These sessions gave students the tools to refine their ideas and communicate them with confidence. The event also featured an inspiring talk from guest speaker Chris Crocker, who shared insights on entrepreneurial thinking as the founder of Good Koffee, a sparkling coffee brand.
In addition to gaining real-world experience, students walked away with:
- A certificate of participation to boost their CVs
- Direct mentoring and feedback from industry professionals
- Stronger teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills
- Expanded networks and a better understanding of the tech sector
- And yes—plenty of food, fun, and high-energy moments!
The event wrapped with final pitches and a celebratory awards ceremony that showcased the students’ creativity, dedication, and growth over the weekend. Following the success of #GreHacks Alcatel, The Generator is already preparing for future hackathons and enterprise opportunities. These events are all about empowering students with real experiences, real contacts, and real confidence—so they leave university ready to take on the world.
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