More Than Just a Prototype—A Winning Vision

Project:Hack 24 wasn’t just another hackathon. For Team 4C, it was a chance to prove what’s possible in just 48 hours—with the right challenge, the right people, and the right energy.

Taking on a complex brief from the Ministry of Defence and Major Projects Association, the team asked a bold question:

Can AI improve bid quality before submission?

Their answer? Assura—a smart, scalable AI Red Team assistant designed to transform how bids are reviewed. That answer didn’t just impress the judges—it won them the top prize.

But what made this project really special was the people behind it—one member of the team being Laura, an apprentice and project manager in the Civil Service, whose reflections capture the spirit of what it means to win a hackathon.

Laura’s Story: Winning, Learning, and Leading

“Hi, I’m Laura, a project manager in the Civil Service and an apprentice since March 2024. Hack 24 was my second hackathon with Projecting Success, and I can safely say it was just as exciting as my first!”

Laura chose the Assurance challenge because it felt like more than just a technical exercise—it was a real-world problem with big implications across procurement, project delivery, and supplier-client collaboration.

“There were 8 of us on the team, which is a little unusual—but I honestly think that worked to our advantage. We were able to dive quickly into product decomposition, take time to understand the root causes, and assign tasks effectively.”

That strategic coordination led to something remarkable: a functioning prototype in under 48 hours that wowed judges, challenge sponsors, and peers alike.

“I’m still blown away by what we achieved in two days. To win as well? That felt like the icing on the cake. Knowing the judges saw real potential in our work—and how it could be applied in real businesses—was so rewarding.”

And the win didn’t just end on the day.

“It’s opened doors to new opportunities. I’ve spoken with senior leaders, joined working groups, and had the chance to show how apprenticeship learning can drive real impact. It’s given me so much confidence—and I can’t wait for the next hackathon in June!”

What Did Team 4C Build? Introducing Assura

Team 4C’s winning solution, Assura, is an AI-powered bid review tool that simulates the value of Red Team Reviews—providing instant, tailored feedback to strengthen bids before submission.

Core Features of Assura:

  • AI-Driven Evaluation across compliance, clarity, and content
  • Custom Evaluator Personas (e.g. procurement, social value)
  • Power BI Dashboards for scoring and improvement tracking
  • Ethical Guardrails to prevent content generation and maintain fairness
  • Workflow Integration for practical use within existing bid processes

Assura isn’t just about speed. It’s about building trust and quality into the bidding process—something every supplier, project team, and evaluator can benefit from.

Behind the Build: What Made the Win Possible

Creating Assura in 48 hours wasn’t easy. Team 4C had to overcome:

  • Bias Management to ensure fair and impartial feedback
  • Persona Scalability across various procurement needs
  • Data Ethics & Security aligned with ISO 27001 and GDPR
  • Practical Integration to ensure real-world usability

The team’s ability to break down a complex brief, rapidly prototype, and deliver a solution with both immediate and long-term value is what set them apart—and ultimately secured the win.

Ready to Take Part in the Next Hackathon?

Whether you're new to data or a seasoned innovator, Project:Hack is your chance to build something real, meet incredible people, and apply your skills to meaningful challenges.

Join us at Project:Hack 25 this June
Collaborate, learn, and innovate over 48 hours
Build solutions that could change the future of project delivery

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