HEX

Came in knowing little about starting a business. In a single week, I was pitching my business idea to real investors. Best learning experience I have ever undertaken, couldn't recommend something more than this. I also have permanent access to their thriving community of entrepreneurs. A super positive group of people, wouldn't want to miss an opportunity like this

On a surface level, the process of translating an idea into a tangible prototype ready for a pitch to investors was demystified. I found strength in my teammates, and that our ability to bounce ideas off of one another and make compromises made our project more well-rounded than if any one of us had tried to do it alone. My perception of innovation has changed to one that embodies this collaborative nature of my experience in the GGC. I learned that doing proper research and seeking the feedback of others is crucial to the success of a business proposal, and the connections one can make from that can last a lifetime.

GGC has taught me that there is nothing impossible to achieve! After setting up a whole company, I realized that entrepreneurship is not for the smartest people! You just have to belive in yourself and not underestimate your ability. This program helped me to see myself in a more positive light, and has encouraged me not to underestimate what I can achieve! It has also boosted my confidence and helped me master my communication skills!

This week has been such a great learning experience. I was hesitant to pitch my ideas but GGC showed me exactly how to do it. My confidence boosted multi-folds as my team won it. What more can one ask for!

GGC helped me realise just how attainable my goals/ambitions in the startup space are. Before I embarked on the challenge, starting a business of my own seemed like a bit of a pipe dream - sure it's a goal of mine, but how can I tangibly achieve it? GGC helped fill in those gaps and gave me so much valuable knowledge in this area. The challenge also helped me realise exactly how much I am capable of achieving when I really challenge myself. 5 days is not a very long time at all, but it feels like we got 5 months' worth of work done in that time which is absolutely incredible. So going forward, if I'm ever in doubt as to whether I'm capable of doing something, I can think back to my experience with GGC as cold, hard proof that I absolutely am capable.

I have learnt how to involve customers and meet their preferences when starting up an innovation. Moreover taking into account the design, market strategy and business model canvas. Also been a team player and improved on my organisational skills. Really appreciate the love and support during the session. It was intense but the team made it lovely and memorable. Thank you all, keep up the good work.

I never really considered a career in startups and mainly wanted to do this for fun, however, after the experience I am strongly considering a career in startups and really learned so much throughout the week and met some fantastic people that I am going to keep in touch with for a very long time!

I thoroughly enjoyed the work that I completed across the week during GGC. I learnt I can work in a team environment and contribute productively to an idea. I also learnt that I have developed leadership qualities during my time at university that helped me work in my team in GGC.

I think I had a great experience over the GGC. Before the GGC I did not know very much about start-ups and entrepreneurship, and I definitely learnt a lot over the week. Also, it was awesome to see from the panelists and mentors the number of opportunities and industries that you can work in.

I have learned more about basic step-by-step to create a start-up & some soft skills like pitching, teamwork, etc. I am also more confident in myself. Before joining HEX, I don't think that I can do well with a random team from different timezone & different regions. However, we have learnt to work together & try our best in what we are doing. Thank you for being so supportive & making HEX one of the most stressful, but exciting & helpful experiences in my winter break!

I Love your camaraderie, connections, and insights given by the HEX tutors and alumni. I was not sure at first, But the HEX program gave me the confidence to put myself out there, experience each of a start-up, from ideation to conceptualization, rapid prototyping, user-testing, passing by market research, interviews, surveys. This roadmap for start-up building helped me visualize the journey ahead for me. HEC connected me with founders and experts in their field, we discussed their shortfalls, successes, and sacrifices. I could not recommend the HEX Program enough.

I learned how to create a startup and business model, something I had never done before. I really enjoyed learning new business skills about marketing and gaining customer perspective through market research. My favourite new skill I learned was how to make a prototype and using user feedback to improve our startup. It was also useful to work with people from different backgrounds and in different time zones, helping me improve my communication skills and helping organise team members into who was best for which task.

Overall. the GGC experience was a definite highlight in my university journey so far. I really enjoyed the aspect of working with people from around the world. The level of organisation for the HEX team made the experience run seamlessly and made it more enjoyable to learn and try new industry tools.

GGC helped me work along people from different cultures and how we can collaborate by sharing ideas. Further, it expanded my knowledge on several tools and technologies that will come handy in future. Meeting industry experts really expanded my perspective and develop better understanding towards many innovative ideas.

I have always want to start my startup but didn't knew how to do it. After I enrolled in HEX GGC program it change my perception. They gave me a platform where i can think, work on my ideas, pitch my ideas, talk to mentors, work with so many people with different time zones, culture . Now I'm more confident and expressive about my startup and can pitch the ideas.

It was a really good insight into how startups are created and what different roles and aspects go into it. I learned that I'm good at leading a team but that communication is key, especially when dealing with a cross-continental team.

GGC gave me the confidence boost I didn’t know I needed. It gave me a chance to go outside my comfort zone by putting an idea out there, and then working with other people on that idea. It helped me believe in my ideas and to have the courage to speak them out loud… and succeed! Moving forward I won’t be intimidated

At the beginning, I was clueless and not sure how it wold go. As I interacted with more people, my team and other mentors, things began to clarify. I had an amazing time gaining new skills, and the confidence levels shooting through the roof. In hindsight, this is an experience I would never forget and would take me to great places. Thank you HEX team for this wonderful opportunity, I would definitely want to see you again and get more involved!

Before starting the GGC I had done group work within university or school which used to always feel a bit sluggish as it would be a specific task done in a specific way. However, by choosing to do this programme on my own initiative and being able to collaborate and create something unique that had value was really exciting! It showed me that if you have an idea you can actually make them come to life if you use the skills taught during the Great Global Challenge :)

During my time at GGC I was able to gain a better understanding of how challenging it may be to have a startup or become an entrepreneur, but, it also taught me how easy it is as well. I always saw this path as something I would never be able to go into since I didn't have much experience, however, all you need really is passion, motivation, and the willingness to try something new (along with some skills). So it is not as difficult as it may seem. Something I learnt, well reinforced further, from this experience is life is always gonna have its challenges but if you keep persisting and not give up, you can achieve more than you think you are capable of. Mistakes are part of learning and becoming better. Thank you so much for making this opportunity amazing! The GGC definitely helped me realise that I can do more than I thought I could.

I have learnt that my own abilities or lack thereof are not a barrier, I can learn new things no matter how hard I perceive them to be and can enlist the help of others to make up for my deficits. I learnt working internationally while it can be exhausting can be very productive. I learnt that I work very hard. This will help because I will place less barriers on myself as reasons why I can’t do something and think innovatively as to how I can make something happen and working with others to do that is okay! Thanks for everything! Best learning experience I have ever had! I feel like I have a new sense of my own capabilities which is far greater than before!

I’ve learnt that anyone can build a great company with the right tools and skills. I never considered it before, but it’s very likely that I’ll explore the idea of startups and innovation for myself one day. This experience taught me that I can do anything if I put my mind to it, it pushed me to work harder than I thought I could. so now I know if I did it once, I can certainly do it again.

The GGC opened my eyes to a whole new world that is innovation and entrepreneurship, one that I wrote off at the age of 16 because I thought it was too hard. I learnt that I really can achieve anything I want to and HEX has given me the tools to do so. Literally the best thing I’ve done in my life so far! Already recommended to everyone I know. You guys are the best.

GGC has changed my perception of innovation by providing the tools to bring an idea to life. This experience has helped me learn about important tools such as Figma and how to conduct market research effectively. This will help me in the future for my employability as I gained several skills! I loved everyone energy in all the sessions and the dedication to make the process run smoothly as possible!

While I always knew that every great business starts with a unique idea, I never truly knew where to go from there and turn that idea into a reality. Thanks to GCC I am aware of all the practical steps I need to be giving much thought and dedication to. Alongside learning how to deal with the stress and brain freeze that comes with different time zones! A unique, intense and challenging experience I will never forget or regret doing! Thank you so much for this!

The GGC opened my eyes to what it takes to be an innovator. In some ways, it was easier than I previously thought because we could create something in only four days, and in other ways, it was harder than I thought because there were skills I didn't have to complete this, but that only reiterated the importance of teamwork. I learned that I'm far more interested in tech than I thought and how important it is to take advantage of it in every field. I feel as though I've gained a new way of thinking and that is always an invaluable experience.

I randomly applied for this program not thinking I would get in. Surprisingly I did and decided to give it ago even though I had never consider start up as a pathway especially one that could relate to public health (my degree)… turns out it can! I learnt a lot of new skills and how to use industry programs. I found the BMC can be applicable to more than just a start up. I struggled for most of the week doing majority of the work myself but the HEX team helped me to communicate and take more leadership to direct the team/ delegate rather than just doing it myself. Thank you so much! I had a fantastic time. I’ve picked up new skills and learnt more about myself.

The GGC experience I personally found was so useful in helping me develop my communication skills and overall organisational skills within a team. This due to the opportunity to work with team mates from different countries, forcing you to organise and delegate workload, whilst taking timezone into consideration. This replicates real workplaces, which is why I loved this learning experience.

The GGC has made me realise what is actually involved in the creation of a new idea/start-up. It has taught me to appreciate small start-up companies more as I am more aware of the detailed process that is involved in getting an idea up and running. The GGC has also inspired me to get creative and put my ideas into practice. Although things can be risky, if you don't try you will never know, so this experience has taught me to try new things and has encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone. The GGC has made me realise that I really am capable of achieving anything as the sky is the limit. I have made some really terrific new friends from different countries and this experience has also fostered my personal growth.

Coming into this program I had no experience with business or technology. I had no idea how a startup works or all the concept you have to think of before hand. This program taught my so much and has had me believe that I could one day start my own company. It allowed my to develop so many new skills whilst also meeting many fantastic people.

I learned a lot about collaboration in a digital environment with a) digital platforms like zoom, miro, slack, remo, around, etc, b) digital tools for prototyping ideas like figma, and problem-solving procedures using rapid prototyping/prototype thinking

The GGC has offered me a boost to think outside the box. Allowed me to work with fantastic same mind team across the world. I have launched my website 1 month before the GGC and from what I learned I believe I have the skills to be an entrepreneur and continue with my passion

After completing GGC, I realised that is it very crucial to take it into a real practice all of the theoretical aspects you have learned from the master classes and fire side chat! I also learned that I am actually limitless if I allow myself to explore and not let the imposter syndrome get the best out of me. Joining GGC will help me in the future as it helps me realise that I am capable of overcoming challenges in a team of different time zones, perspective, and completed the challenges in a short period of time. It proved that as long as I take action of making it works, it will work.

7 days of GGC completely transformed my outlook on collaborating remotely. It was an amazing experience to learn from wonderful speakers and mentors from around the world. My favorite was UI/UX design workshop by Matt (ofcourse) and public speaking workshop by Jon. I believe that over the week I've built this beautiful skillset that is going to help me in future and all the things I want to achieve. Kudos to entire HEX team for such a wonderful week.

GGC has allowed me to practice innovative thinking in a safe and supportive environment. I have learned how to navigate team work across timezones and cultures, and been taught by amazing experts. I now believe innovation is something anyone is capable of with enough motivation and drive. My favourite thing I learned was how to prototype using design technologies!

The GGC experience has taught me that the innovation to understand our project and being able to work around it gives us the ability to achieve great things and understand its perspective within different peoples minds. Working around this and being able to put it into a project where all of my teammates are contributing gives us a masterpiece. I have learnt to always take risks and always say yes to opportunities because you really don't know what is ready for you. You are capable. You can achieve great things.

It was a fabulous week. I’ve learned a lot about startups and entrepreneurship, from thinking about the idea and first steps of the process to creating a prototype, communicating with customers and pitching it to investors. I loved the time working with people from different time zones, using different tools as Figma and Miro, and listening to the best speakers ever. This will definitely help me in my life and in the future when I will be making my own brand and realising my ideas into life!

I've learnt some amazing things - at the beginning of the week I had no real idea of what it takes for a start-up to succeed, but I've now got a comprehensive view of all the work that goes into making one. Overall this was a great week, I made some new friends, and learnt about how best to work across time zones and to a deadline.

One of the best things I could've done... the many skills I've learned in this short time will 100% be used to pursue my future goals.

I guess from a personal and emotional perspective, HEX has taught me the value of resilience and powering through something even though it’s hard. Because by the time you come out at the other end, you may just be rewarded with something unexpected (like winning a pitch!). From a skills perspective, I didn’t really consider myself as an entrepreneur, but this program has allowed me to see things from an entrepreneur’s perspective and what it takes to put up a business from ideation to pitching.

The 5 day sprint program is an intense, collaborative, and an unmatched experience. It gives you an opportunity to not only build on your start-up idea but also to connect with industry experts that can provide the much needed validation and advice. This program introduces you to several techniques to refine and validate your idea. HEX's staff is very supportive and makes sure that every minute you spend is worthwhile. To sum up, this program is a great way to network and grow personally.

HEX was a powerful experience. It's a unique program structure, building an idea from scratch and pitching it with the help of inspiring mentors. Not to mention the exciting social and networking events where I made new friends and connected with amazing minds from all over the world. This is where an aspiring entrepreneur's journey begins.

I wanted to thank you again for the incredible opportunity this year., It was a transformative experience for me and I am very grateful to have worked with you on it. Thanks for uplifting me with confidence and opportunity!

It's completely changed my mind about the business world. GGC humanized it and infused it with creativity and innovation. It's not as corporate as I thought! Overall, it was a fantastic program. I learned so, so much and I'm so grateful for the experience and the diversity in the program.

Thanks for a fantastic week! You do a phenomenal job of getting people motivated, connected, and building a culture that pushes people to be their best while supporting them the whole while!

Out of the entrepreneurial extracurriculars I’ve taken, HEX was the first arena that enabled me to explore my own idea. Often, I’d do team based work or work on someone’s case idea. I’ve realised that I don’t need to get into the legal/diplomat professionals to make an impact in the social impact space

It's been a super great experience and I’m so grateful for all the valuable connections I’ve made. Thanks so much.

The GGC taught me that innovation is about not only creativity, but also discipline. It is about accepting differences and challenging this energy. I always believed that innovation was impossible for me, but the GGC taught me that a startup could definitely be in my future, if I utilise the skills taught to me and learn to embrace teamwork and ask for help when needed.

I was pleasantly surprised at how interactive and engaging this experience was. HEX managed to cultivate a friendly and supportive culture through a screen. By far, the best online program I have ever participated in.

It was a pleasant experience to work and study with incredible people. All the guests are amazing which let me learnt many things that I might not have chance to learn in the uni. Mentors are extremely helpful and friendly. Love to work with Hex!!!

It was wonderful to work future entrepreneurs and get insights from such talented and amazing people. This program is a life changing experience. Certainly one can learn a lot more than what a person learns in a normal Internship.

I work with two startups that are innovating everyday, this program helped me gain skills to be more efficient on rapid prototyping, ui ux deigning. The team was very supportive and helpful and I love how the community is there for each other.

HEX is a fantastic experience. Excellent content and presenter quality and highly engaged program facilitators, mentors and administrators. Diverse, engaged participants who all had much to offer to make it a great experience. I recommend this program for anyone wanting a Silicon Valley vibe immersion in global innovation and start-up culture, principles, methods and practices. Loved it and learned heaps!

My experience at the HEX Program was tasking but it was a great opportunity for an 18 year old like me to learn how the entrepreneurial/startup industry works. It was really worth it and I would suggest the program to other people.

All in all, I was very impressed with the quality of experience that we were able to create on the HEX sprint, especially given that we were fully remote! The staff were supportive and engaged the whole time. The guest speakers were effective presenters and shared valuable information. Some guest speakers in particular were especially compelling. We had a lot of opportunities to connect with other professionals and hear about their career paths. The networking opportunities in general are great - I've gained at least 4 high-quality connections that will help me propel my life forward. Thanks HEX :)

The HEX APAC program provided me with an incredible opportunity to explore a problem space I was deeply passionate about by providing a strong supportive network of HEX staff and mentors, as well as establishing a community among the HEX alumni. The content we worked through over the program is invaluable to those entering the startup / entrepreneurial / innovative world. I highly recommend this program to anyone interest.

As far as remote/online experiences go, Hex went above and beyond to make the Great Global Challenge as exciting and interactive as possible. I was skeptical when signing up to a programme that was 100% remote, knowing that I would be working with a team from across the globe as I wasn't sure how engaging the programme would be when you're working out of your bedroom but Hex really blew me away! Every day I woke up excited to get started with whatever was happening that day and to work on the challenge with my team, who I'm excited to meet in person once Covid has passed! I'd urge you to take up any opportunity offered by Hex!

The workshops by the guest speakers were mostly inspirational and motivational, rather than directly helping us with our 'idea.' However, I still appreciated them because they gave me insights on different aspects of life. The one workshop/talk that was very memorable was the 'Goal Setting' by Josh Farr - it opened up a whole new world to me of what good leadership is like.

I came into this experience thinking of it as just another subject. But wow. All of my expectations were blown out of the water, and I could not recommend what the Hacker Exchange put together enough! This program was amazing, and although I really enjoyed the challenge of working across time zones, it was such a worthwhile experience. Thank you to all of the team that put this together, and to the speakers and mentors for their time. It was a great experience, and I will be recommending this to anyone who wants to have a go at this amazing challenge.

The best part about my trip in San Francisco was the knowledge that I gained in two weeks. During the two weeks I also developed myself as a person and grew a lot from the experience. Networking in San Francisco made me aware of the talent that is out there which motivates me to push myself and be better.

One impactful word: Amazing. I made a lifetime of new connections on good foundations on this trip that I will treasure most definitely. I gained and enhanced skills and knowledge on this trip like never before, from outstanding lecturers and speakers that kindly volunteered their time and effort to do so. I got to experience entrepreneurship and innovation in one of the top 5 startup ecosystems in the world, that made me gained a new and improved perspective on the industry. Thank you Jac, Matt, Jeanette and Chris for choosing me of all people to participate in this program - I will be forever thankful and grateful for this awe-inspiring experience.

Prior to learning about the program, I had the pleasure to attend the meetups that Jeanette organized back in November 2018 last year at where I learned more about entrepreneurship and technology, it was then that it sparked my curiosity. fast track to 2019 November going through the program and learning so much about the world of tech and startups it was an area that I always wanted to be part of but as with anything in life you learn from your mistakes. Having the chance to meet people from major tech companies like facebook, google, zendesk. to meeting early and late-stage co-founders. What I got out of the program I could say it was 2-4 years of life experience and perspective that would be invaluable to me in life and also the skills and the friendships I have formed that are going to set me up well into the future of my career as I venture further into the start-up and tech space. I am forever grateful for this opportunity and what it has done for me and my family. If you are unsure if this program is right for you or even if you have certainty that it's for you. just say yes and be open to the possibilities that open up to you in the 2 weeks but also what it will set you up after the program.

hmmm where to start. Firstly I don't know many people who have been to Israel but I know a lot that would like to go. It is by far one of the most interesting and different places I have ever been too. It is rare to meet such passionate and down to earth people who one minute are talking about building companies, landing technology jobs, or working in the army to having a casual chat about sports and family over a beer. I made some life long friends and a professional network I could have only dreamed of. I met people from Facebook, WIX, Fitness 22, Singtel Inovv8 and the list goes on. By far the best part was learning from highly experienced and successful people who have succeeded and failed professionally and personally, being able to ask them very open questions and learn from people who have done what you might want to or at least what you have always thought of is cool and sometimes hard to hear but a true eye-opener. This program has given me and other participants who are now my friends the edge in job interviews, networking events, business meetings, business competitions and many more settings. If you are a student looking to get a job in any industry being able to talk about innovation and the culture of moving fast to success is something any emplyer is going to be amazed about especially when you mention the name of some of the companies you visited. It is also just a good opportunity to travel and learn no matter if you are interested in startups, entrepreneurship or not you are guaranteed to get more practical and real-world experience out of this two weeks living and breathing the Israeli lifestyle in Tel Aviv than any other course you study. p.s. the nightlife is beyond your mind and make sure you check out "tether" for a pizza and techno music.

The entire experience was amazing!! The Hacker Exchange ran a brilliant program that immersed us beautifully into the local Israeli culture, with an well-planned emphasis on The Startup Nation's unique startup sub-culture. Program events were well chosen, and well run, with a surprising amount of access to world-class startups, industry experts, and cultural guides. I could not imagine a more effective, productive and enjoyable trip abroad!

I attended the 2018 Tel Aviv trip and it was an incredible experience. I come from a strong business/finance background and I learnt something almost every hour of the trip and met some incredible contacts. It was worth the time and money no doubt and still one of the best trips I've done to date in my life and I've seen over 30 countries now. You can't go wrong with the HEX programs and it'll be a trip you never forget for the rest of your life.

A lot of programs promise offerings that sound WAY too good to be true. The Hacker Exchange is NOT one of them. I was completely blown away by the quality and breadth that the program covered in such a short amount of time. It was completely life-changing, and I'm still experiencing the benefits of the program daily almost a year on. We learned so many invaluable skills, met some AMAZING people, and I improved my existing business so much. On top of that, their team is full of inspiring people that are supportive and welcoming, and who treat you as a startup founder, not just a student. They overdelivered on what was promised right from the get-go, and the whole experience was worth every cent. The Hacker Exchange has an incredibly strong alumni network which is a testament to both the program and the awesome people HEX attracts. There's a reason why we all rave about the program.

When I first heard about Hex I knew I had to go. I also loved the combination with Israel because I always wanted to learn more about the culture there. The program was excellent and I took so much away from it.

When I first heard about Hex I knew I had to go. Not just from a Startup perspective but in general to learn for life. I learned more than I had asked for and will benefit from this for the rest of my life. Loved the whole program but also meeting new people and making friends.

I can't recommend this enough! This trip was my first time overseas and the HEX team answered all of my questions and made sure everything ran smoothly. From day 1 the course content was engaging and relevant, with a good mix of presentations, workshops and visits to startups based in San Francisco. There was also plenty of time to chill out and explore the city. This program was my first dive into entrepreneurship and I had the time of my life. I met so many amazing people, made great friendships and gained valuable skills to move my career forward as a professional and founder. As an added bonus the program also counted as credit towards my degree! By far one of the best experiences i've had and I'd recommend it to anyone.

It was very first time for me to participate in business activities. It was useful and I spend great time in Singapore. I really liked the way Jeanette and Jac supported us during the journey. It was very helpful. I liked different activities that we had. We visited HQ of google and grab. Also, we had heaps of interesting and inspiring speakers. The biggest drawback was the accommodation. Also, if you are not okay with high humidity, Singapore isn’t best destination for you.

I went on Hacker Exchange because it followed on another program I was doing in San Francisco. Hacker Exchange gave a diverse, insightful and fun experience. From the participants to the speakers, we heard from different backgrounds, ages, and points of view of the startup scene in the US and visited heavy hitters such as Google. There was always plenty going on and everyone was super friendly. The organisers were always prompt to respond and have continued to support me on my startup journey post-program.

Insane exposure to Silicon Valley and experienced entrepreneurs working within it. Learned so much about what it takes to deliver innovation and changed the way I approach problems forever. The Hex Team creates a really fun and family-based feel to the experience that sustains itself after you return home. I would recommend this without hesitation to anybody.

Best think I did as a business student. Met some amazing people, had an awesome time and learnt more in 2 weeks than I did in a year at uni! I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in business, tech and design.