Each year, the UCL MBA hosts its flagship Global DigitalHack - a fast-paced, virtual innovation challenge that unites industry leaders, technologists, entrepreneurs, and academic experts to tackle pressing societal issues. The 2025 theme - Futuring Better with Truth, Trust and Transparency - invited participants to explore how organisations can build ethical, inclusive, and resilient futures through strategic innovation and digital and AI transformation.
We caught up with UCL MBA graduate Matt Gascoigne, who shares his insights from the event, his team’s focus on reimagining talent management, and why the DigitalHack is a must-try experience for future participants.
Can you tell us about your experiences of the digitalhack?
The Digital Hack was an excellent exercise in what can be achieved in a short space of time when brilliant people collaborate around a common purpose using cutting edge methods and technology to drive innovation and new thinking.
Over 8 hours we identified an issue, co-created a solution, and pitched the concept which was intense and challenging, but also great fun and highly rewarding. This was a great opportunity to learn new skills and road test competences acquired during the UCL MBA. It was also an amazing opportunity to make new connections and learn from other people’s thinking and iterate to success! If ever there is a clear example of the power of collaborative ecosystems, this is it.
what was the societal challenge that your team tried to tackle? How did you go about this?
My team was the “Workforce Warriors”. I had the opportunity to collaborate with experts from Burberry, Microsoft, Gartner and TikTok to reimagine how organisations of the future can attract, engage and retain the next-generation workforce. We proposed an Enterprise Hub Concierge as a real-time enterprise tool designed to drive organisational efficiency, growth and wider engagement.
We used a range of digital and AI technologies throughout the DigitalHack day to enable our collaboration. The interest, engagement and collaboration for all involved was exceptional. I genuinely believe that our solution would have a huge impact if released today – we should find the time to turn a learning exercise into reality!
what were your highlights from the event & would you recommend the experience?
I have built some new contacts that I hope to remain close too. You cannot underestimate the value of the collaboration with like-minded and engaging professionals.
I would 100% recommend students take part in the DigitalHack. It’s a great experience with fantastic learning opportunities and it’s just brilliant to immerse yourself with amazing people. You won’t regret it!
Find out more about the UCL Flex MBA or read more about the 2025 DigitalHack.