Hack the System - 19-21 Sep

Hack the System is a 3-day Web3 hackathon and community wealth building event focused on creating blockchain-powered marketplaces for South London. It brings together creatives, developers, and business minds to build decentralized platforms that keep wealth circulating within the local community.

September 19-21, 2025 at London South Bank University Croydon Campus, Room 214, Electric House, 3 Wellesley Rd, Croydon CR0 2AG. Friday runs 5:00pm-8:00pm, Saturday and Sunday are 9:00am-4:00pm.

Web3 is the next evolution of the internet, where instead of being controlled by large companies, applications are decentralised, community owned, and allow you to keep control of your own data.

No! We welcome Hipsters (creatives with cultural insights), Hackers (technical developers), and Hustlers (business-minded individuals). Teams form across these skill sets, so you contribute your unique expertise whether that's artistic vision, coding skills, or business acumen.

Bring your laptop, any relevant work examples or portfolios, business cards for networking, and your enthusiasm for community wealth building. Specific technical requirements haven't been detailed, so check with organizers about software or platform needs.

No, you can attend solo. Team formation happens organically during the event based on exhibitor platforms, complementary skills, and shared interests in specific supply chains.

After exhibitor showcases on Friday evening, attendees self-organize into teams around the presented Web3 platforms. For example, if an art sales platform is showcased, artists, promoters, developers, and art buyers might form a team to enhance that platform according to their collective needs.

Teams will develop Web3 solutions that promote community ownership and local wealth building. This could include marketplace platforms, creative economy tools, local service networks, or other blockchain-based systems that benefit the South London community.

Yes, prizes will be awarded for the most innovative, viable, and community-focused solutions. Specific prize details haven't been announced - check the website or ask organizers for current information.

While the full 3-day experience is recommended, there's a morning briefing on Saturday for those who missed Friday's team formation session.

Yes, food and drink will be supplied throughout the event.

The event is free to attend.

No, the event is tailored towards residents of South London, although residents from elsewhere are very welcome to attend.

The event is designed for 100 attendees.

To develop multiple Web3 platforms that connect local artists, creatives, and service providers with buyers in South London, using blockchain technology to build community wealth and move from corporate ownership to community ownership of marketplaces.

The initiative has evolved to focus on using the Radix ledger and other distributed ledger technologies to create community-owned cooperative structures, though teams can work with various Web3 platforms.

Hack the System emerged from a coalition including Crystalisr, Regens Unite, Blockchain Radicals, and London South Bank University, conceived in 2022 and launched in 2025.

The event includes "Next Steps Planning" and "Closing & Commitment" sessions to ensure participants leave with clear development paths and concrete follow-up actions for their projects.

Yes, that's encouraged! The event is designed to spark ongoing collaborations that continue building community wealth solutions beyond the hackathon weekend.

Absolutely! The event specifically seeks cultural visionaries, artists, community connectors, and business developers alongside technical builders. Many successful Web3 platforms need strong community engagement, artistic direction, and business strategy just as much as coding.