Executive Summary
On July 22, 2025, Tutor10x, in collaboration with Eden.pm, UTS Startups Hub, High-tech Masterminds, the Australian Institute of Higher Education, and LIHE Sydney, hosted a groundbreaking hackathon in Sydney. The “One-Day Internship™” gathered over 50 backend engineers for a high-pressure, four-hour simulation of a startup’s first day. Participants were challenged to build a backend system for a productivity application, featuring API development, MongoDB integration, and simulated media compression using FFmpeg.
Event Highlight
AI-Powered Briefing
An AI assistant, acting as a senior developer, delivered a live, intentionally ambiguous technical brief via phone to test real-world problem-solving skills.
Talent Discovery
The challenge identified top talent, leading to internship and mentorship opportunities.
Introduction
The leap from academia to industry often reveals a gap between theoretical knowledge and the demands of real-world engineering roles. While universities and traditional internships provide a foundation, they may not fully prepare graduates for the ambiguity, pace, and cross-functional demands of fast-growing startups.
50+ Turnover
Tutor10x is addresesing this gap through short-form, high-impact learning experiences like the “One-Day Internship™.” These events simulate real startup scenarios in condensed timeframes, forcing participants to think fast, collaborate, and solve practical problems using real-world tools. The goal: to deliver experience that is intense, realistic, and immediately valuable to both learners and employers.
Why This Hackathon Was Different
About Eden.pm
(Keith Schembri)
Eden.pm is a fast-growing startup focused on boosting productivity through immersive digital tools. Unlike generic task managers, it integrates session tracking and ambient music to help users stay focused in a customised environment.
Key Backend Needs:
- Session Management: Logging and storing user focus sessions (start times, duration, tasks).
- Media Processing: Efficient handling and compression of audio files using FFmpeg.
- Analytics & Personalisation: Analysing user data to enhance performance and experience.
- Scalability: Supporting a growing user base with reliable, high-performing infrastructure.
Why Eden.pm Joined the Hackathon:
- Talent Identification: To assess engineers in a realistic environment beyond resumes and interviews.
- Skill Relevance: To see how well candidates handled actual backend tasks the startup faces.
- Ecosystem Engagement: To support practical learning and talent development within the tech community.
Challenge and Objectives
Eden.pm, a rapidly evolving startup, required robust backend development for its productivity platform. The hackathon's core objective was to address this by challenging participants to construct a functional backend system, mirroring live complexities. This involved managing focus session data, integrating a NoSQL database, and handling simulated media compression
Challenge
The task demanded proficiency in:
- Backend Development: Node.js and Express.js for API creation.
- Database Management: MongoDB for data persistence.
- Media Processing: FFmpeg for media handling.
- API Testing: Postman/curl competency. Problem-Solving: Interpreting briefs and building under pressure.
Solution: AI-Driven Hackathon Day
The hackathon's design began with precise project scoping alongside Eden.pm, translating their live platform needs into a targeted challenge.
Uniquely, an AI assistant delivered the technical brief via synchronous phone call to all participants. This innovation rigorously simulated real-world startup communication, testing not just coding ability but critical interpretation under pressure.
The day was structured for high output: rapid team formation, a strict four-hour time allocation, and focused task distribution.
Results and Outcomes
Over 50 engineers took on the challenge, and many teams successfully delivered functioning backends within the tight timeframe. Eden.pm was impressed with the range and quality of solutions, and several participants were shortlisted for internships and mentorships.
Participants reported gaining valuable experience in team-based problem-solving, ambiguity management, and technical decision-making under pressure. Many noted this was the first time an event had tested both their hard and soft skills in such an integrated, real-world manner.
Winners Profiles
1st Place: Justin Lei
A 2024 Software Engineering graduate from the University of Sydney (First Class Honours) with a strong passion for clean architecture and full-stack development. Skilled in a wide range of modern technologies, from React.js and TypeScript to Python, Java, and AWS, Justin combines technical depth with a collaborative mindset. Beyond coding, he enjoys piano, anime, and sports, and is eager to contribute to teams that value continuous learning and high-quality software design.
Second Place: Sreekar Reddy E.
A results-driven professional with over 2.8 years at IBM, specializing in business analysis, process optimization, and strategic problem-solving. Currently pursuing a Master’s in AI at UTS, Sreekar combines technical insight with strong collaboration skills to bridge technology and business strategy. Passionate about delivering measurable impact, he values inclusivity, authenticity, and fostering a positive team environment.
Third Place: Henry Ng
An aspiring cybersecurity professional with 1 year of SIEM and 1.5 years of EDR experience. Beginning his career in Microsoft technical support, Henry has honed exceptional communication, customer support, and troubleshooting skills. Currently pursuing his degree and set to graduate in 2026, he is eager to apply his expertise to future Cybersecurity and IT roles while continuing his commitment to lifelong learning.
Behind the Lens
Siqi Wang
Currently pursuing a Master of Commerce (Marketing & Finance) at the University of Sydney, she is a career switcher from accounting to marketing and a content creator across Instagram, TikTok, and Redbook. With experience at L’Oréal, EY, and in independent brand building, she blends analytical and creative skills to craft compelling visual stories. Passionate about branding, storytelling, and social media marketing, she brought the event to life through her photography.