VIRTUAL
26 FEBRUARY TO 1 MARCH 2027
A 72-hour innovation challenge for women in regional NSW.
You don’t need to be a developer. You need a problem worth solving and the willingness to build something.
You don’t need to be a developer. You need a problem worth solving and the willingness to build something.
UP TO 20 PARTICIPANTS
FREE PRE-EVENT TRAINING
A$1,000 WINNER'S CASH PRIZE
NON-MONETARY PRIZES
WHAT IS DISRUPT-HER?
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MORE REGIONAL WOMEN GET THE TOOLS TO BUILD?
Disrupt-Her is a virtual innovation challenge created to give women in regional NSW practical access to AI-assisted development and vibe coding.
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Selected participants will identify a real problem or opportunity, learn how to use the tools before the event, then have 72 hours to turn their idea into a working digital solution.
NO CODING BACKGROUND REQUIRED
The focus is on ideas, problem-solving and what you can create, rather than how much technical experience you already have.​
A disruptor doesn’t wait for the future to arrive. She builds it.
WHO IS IT FOR?
YOU DON'T NEED TO WORK IN TECH
Disrupt-Her is for women in regional NSW who see problems, gaps or opportunities and want to find out whether they can build a digital solution.
YOU MIGHT BE:
running a business
working in healthcare, education, agriculture, tourism, professional services or another regional industry
working in a community organisation
studying
developing an idea of your own
simply curious about what you could build with AI
No previous coding, startup or software-development experience is required.
HOW IT WORKS
01
APPLY
Applications open to women living in eligible regional NSW areas.
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You submit the problem or opportunity you want to explore and your initial idea.
02
20 WOMEN SELECTED
Applications open to women living in eligible regional NSW areas.
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You submit the problem or opportunity you want to explore and your initial idea.
03
LEARN
Before the challenge, participants receive free online training covering:
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vibe coding and AI-assisted development
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turning an idea into a buildable product
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the selected build platform
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testing and improving the solution
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preparing for the challenge
04
BUILD
At 9am Friday 26 February, the clock starts.
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Participants have 72 hours to turn their idea into a functioning digital solution.
05
TOP 5
Five finalists progress to the final showcase and judging.
06
WINNER
The winning participant receives A$1,000 cash, plus any partner-provided support that is confirmed before launch.
THE CHALLENGE
FIND A PROBLEM. BUILD A SOLUTION.
Your idea could address a problem affecting: your industry, your workplace, your business, your community or regional life more broadly.
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The solution needs to be digital, but it doesn’t have to be a startup.
A A tool that saves a small business hours of administration
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B A better way for a community service to share information.
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C A digital resource addressing a regional access problem.
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D A new service, platform, workflow or experience.
WHY REGIONAL WOMEN?
OPPORTUNITY SHOULDN'T DEPEND ON A POSTCODE
Many hackathon and buildathon programs are concentrated in major metropolitan centres. Disrupt-Her is virtual by design so women across regional NSW can participate without travelling to Sydney or another major centre.
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The goal is to give more regional women access to the tools, confidence and practical experience needed to participate in technology-enabled innovation.
PRIZES AND WHAT HAPPENS AFTER
A BUILD CAN BE THE BEGINNING
A$1,000
Winner: A$1,000 cash funded by Iconic | Marketing & AI Advisory.
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES MAY INCLUDE:
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technology credits or subscriptions
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mentoring
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partner exposure
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finalist profiles
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pathways into further founder and innovation programs
DATES
APPLICATIONS OPEN
TO BE ANNOUNCED
PARTICIPANTS SELECTED
TO BE ANNOUNCED
PRE-EVENT TRAINING
FEBRUARY 2027
CHALLENGE BEGINS
FRIDAY 26 FEBRUARY, 9AM AEDT
CHALLENGE ENDS
MONDAY 1 MARCH, 9AM AEDT
FINAL SHOWCASE
TO BE ANNOUNCED
COULD YOU BE ONE OF THE FIRST 20 DISRUPT-HERS?
Applications aren't open yet.
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Register your interest to be notified when applications open and receive details about eligibility, training and the inaugural challenge.