How team WBS prepared for Google x NatWest Accelerator hackathon

A team of MSc students from Warwick Business School share their experience of competing in a fast-paced Google x NatWest Accelerator hackathon. From developing an AI-powered solution in just a few days to pitching at Google’s London office, they reflect on how WBS prepared them to turn ideas into real-world impact.

Hello, we are students from the MSc Management of Information Systems and Digital Innovation (MISDI) and MSc Financial Technology programme at Warwick Business School. My name is Ivan Chirkov, and joining Warwick was a long-term goal for me.

What attracted me to Warwick was its strong academic reputation, the quality of teaching, and the opportunity to study at a university that is highly respected both in the UK and internationally. I was also very interested in Warwick because of its strong professional network and the chance to connect with talented students, academics, and industry professionals from different backgrounds.

Another important reason was the environment itself. Warwick offers a calm and focused campus location, which creates a great atmosphere for studying, collaboration, and personal growth. I was also excited by the possibility of engaging with initiatives such as the Gillmore Centre, because it adds a practical and innovative dimension to the learning experience.

As for our team, my teammates are Swaathy Kumaran, Nanu Sreevalsan, and Sanggesh Periyasamy-Lakshmi. Together, as MISDI and Financial Technology students, we are passionate about how technology, information systems, and digital innovation can shape the future of business and society.

Seizing the hackathon opportunity

For me, finding out about the Google and NatWest Accelerator Hackathon was actually quite unexpected. I heard about it through one of my classmates, who told me, “Ivan, you can’t miss this opportunity.” So, in many ways, it came to me by chance rather than through the usual channels.

I was especially excited to take part because I had previously won the Gillmore Centre hackathon, and that experience motivated me to look for more opportunities where I could apply my skills in a practical, competitive environment.

The registration timeline was quite short for us, so my original team was placed on the waiting list. However, I was later invited to join this team, as we had already worked together before and knew we could collaborate effectively.

In terms of preparation, my experience at WBS helped me a lot. The MISDI programme gave me a strong foundation in digital innovation, teamwork, and problem-solving. It also helped me become more confident working on real business and technology challenges, especially in diverse teams and under time pressure. That combination of academic knowledge and practical experience made me feel ready to take on the hackathon.

From classroom to real-world challenge

We had 2-3 days to conceptualse and build an AI-powered solution from scratch, and we chose to build muesli.ai, an AI-powered career hub for students, because we saw that job searching is fragmented, repetitive, and very time-consuming. Students have to switch between job boards, CV tools, trackers, and emails, which makes the whole process inefficient and stressful.

What made this idea especially relevant for me was my experience as an SSLC representative. Students regularly came to me with these frustrations, so I had already seen the problem clearly and started thinking about it as something worth solving.

Our app was basically designed to support the whole application journey in one place - helping students find relevant jobs, tailor their CVs, auto-fill application forms, and track their applications more efficiently.

My MSc at WBS helped in developing the solution. The MISDI programme taught us how to identify real user pain points, think in a structured way, and turn ideas into practical digital solutions. It also helped us build teamwork, problem-solving, and innovation skills, which were essential in a hackathon where we had only a few days to create something from scratch.

Inside the hackathon experience

Presenting at Google’s London office was an amazing experience. Working as a team under pressure pushed us to make decisions quickly, trust each other’s strengths, and stay focused on what mattered most. Because the time was so limited, we had to communicate clearly, divide responsibilities effectively, and keep improving the idea right up until the presentation.

It was especially valuable because it gave us a real sense of what it means to pitch to senior decision-makers. It helped us understand not just how to explain a product, but how to sell its value clearly and confidently.

It was also a great networking opportunity. Meeting other teams and speaking with Google employees was very useful, and we also received a lot of support throughout the journey from Adam Walters (Natwest - Accelerator Community Manager) and Christo Panchev (WMG, University of Warwick - Deputy Head for Skills and Education Engagement).

Bringing learning to life

Opportunities like this reflect my wider experience at WBS because the support goes far beyond the classroom. The teaching gives us the knowledge and structure, but just as importantly, WBS creates an environment where students are encouraged to apply that learning in real-world settings.

There is also a strong sense of community. A lot of these opportunities come through classmates, teamwork, and the people around you, so you are constantly learning from others as well as from the course itself.

What stands out to me most is that WBS is not only focused on academics, but also on helping students grow professionally through competitions, hackathons, networking, and support from staff and mentors. Experiences like this show that WBS really helps students turn ideas into action.

Building confidence and capability

This experience taught me a lot about working under pressure, turning an idea into a real solution quickly, and communicating that solution clearly to others. It also showed me how important teamwork is - especially when time is limited and everyone needs to trust each other’s strengths.

My time at WBS played a big role in building that confidence. The programme helped me become more structured in the way I approach problems, more confident when presenting ideas, and more comfortable working on real business and technology challenges.

It also shaped my career ambitions by showing me that I want to work at the intersection of technology, innovation, and problem-solving - creating solutions that are practical, user-focused, and impactful.

Networking and global perspectives

This experience gave me a great chance to connect with both peers and industry professionals. During the hackathon, we were able to meet other talented teams, exchange ideas, and learn from how others approached the same challenge. Presenting at the Google London office also gave us exposure to professionals from Google and NatWest, which made the experience even more valuable from a networking perspective.

More broadly, WBS has helped me build my network throughout my studies by creating opportunities to work closely with classmates, take part in competitions and hackathons, and connect with academics, mentors, and industry partners. So for me, networking at WBS has happened both naturally through the community and professionally through the opportunities the school provides.

Advice for future students

I would say: definitely go for it. Opportunities like this can seem intimidating at first, especially when you already have a busy academic schedule, but they are some of the most valuable experiences you can have at WBS.

They allow you to apply what you learn in the classroom to real-world challenges, work with great people, and build confidence much faster than you expect. Even if you do not feel fully ready, you often learn the most by putting yourself in that kind of environment.

For me, experiences like this were not just about the competition itself, but also about teamwork, networking, and discovering what I am capable of under pressure. So my advice would be to stay open, be proactive, and say yes to opportunities when they come.