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Application Process
Apply
Apply as an individual or as part of a team
Get Approved
Every application will be reviewed by the MakeReign team
Pay Entry Fee
Selected applicants will receive a payment link by email.
Get Ready to Build
Final teams and event details will be confirmed before the hackathon
Application Process
Apply
Apply as an individual or as part of a team
Get Approved
Every application will be reviewed by the MakeReign team
Pay Entry Fee
Selected applicants will receive a payment link by email.
Get Ready to Build
Final teams and event details will be confirmed before the hackathon
MOVE IDEAS
INTO PRACTICE
An 18-hour curated hackathon for designers, developers, founders and creative technologists building the next generation of AI-powered digital experiences. Apply with your team or as an individual looking to collaborate.
Builder's Table is a two day hackathon hosted by MakeReign, bringing together South Africa's designers, developers, strategists and creative technologists to build real working prototypes under real time pressure.
Over two days, teams build a working prototype from scratch: day one is for building, day two for refining, presenting and judging. Finalists pitch live for a share of a R50,000 prize pool, tool credits and a working session with the MakeReign founders.
This is the founding edition. Seats are limited and applications are reviewed, not first-come-first-served.
100
Participants
16-20
Teams
5
Members per team
05
Finalist teams
01
Winning team
R50k
Prize pool
What to expect
An 18-hour
build sprint
Teams spend the event exploring ideas, testing concepts and developing working prototypes with support from mentors, sponsors and industry leaders, shifting quickly from discussion to execution.
An 18-hour
build sprint
build sprint
Teams spend the event exploring ideas, testing concepts and developing working prototypes with support from mentors, sponsors and industry leaders, shifting quickly from discussion to execution.
Fireside chats &
workshops
workshops
A programme of practical workshops and candid conversations exploring AI, creative technology, product innovation and the changing nature of how digital experiences are built.
Installations
& experiences
& experiences
Interactive experiences, demonstrations and partner led activations designed to showcase emerging technologies, creative experimentation and new ways of engaging with digital products.
Awards &
celebrations
celebrations
The event culminates in a live finalist showcase, awards ceremony and closing celebration, bringing together participants, sponsors and guests to recognise the strongest ideas and outcomes from the event.
01. An 18-Hour Build Sprint
02. Fireside Chats & Workshops
03. Installations & Experiences
04. Awards & Celebrations
Application Process
Help SHAPe THE NEXT GENERATION OF BUILDERS
2026
Complete the online application form and tell us about yourself. You can apply as an individual or as part of a team.
Our team reviews every application to curate a diverse group of participants. Successful applicants will receive an email inviting them to join the Hackathon.
If you're selected, you'll receive payment instructions to pay the R500 participation fee (or the total amount for your team if paying together). Your place at Builders Table is confirmed once your payment has been received and verified.
Once your place is confirmed, we'll send you everything you need before the event, including venue details, the event schedule, what to bring and any final updates. Then it's time to build!
Application
Process
Apply
Complete the online application form and tell us about yourself. You can apply as an individual or as part of a team.
Get selected
Our team reviews every application to curate a diverse group of participants. Successful applicants will receive an email inviting them to join the Hackathon.
Pay entry fee
If you're selected, you'll receive payment instructions to pay the R500 participation fee (or the total amount for your team if paying together). Your place at Builders Table is confirmed once your payment has been received and verified.
Get ready for build
Once your place is confirmed, we'll send you everything you need before the event, including venue details, the event schedule, what to bring and any final updates. Then it's time to build!
Speakers
Voices shaping the build
2026
Meet the
Speakers
Daniel Courtenay
VP of Product | DStv Stream
Natalie is MakeReign’s Creative Group Head, and an award-winning e-commerce designer. She builds, nurtures, and matures exceptional product design teams, and the digital products and services they create. Her work sits at the intersection of design excellence and business strategy, where she uses design to unlock value, solve complex problems, and deliver customer-first experiences that drive measurable business results.
Natalie is known for translating complexity into meaningful, usable experiences that balance customer needs with commercial outcomes. With a pedigree in strategic execution, and strong foundations and deep expertise across UX Research, UX Design, and UI Design, she brings a data-informed approach to defining the right problems, aligning stakeholders, and shaping clear product direction. Natalie is recognised for developing scalable design practices, raising quality through strong craft, and guiding teams from discovery through to delivery.
Mario Pinto
Program Manager | Google DeepMind
Natalie is MakeReign’s Creative Group Head, and an award-winning e-commerce designer. She builds, nurtures, and matures exceptional product design teams, and the digital products and services they create. Her work sits at the intersection of design excellence and business strategy, where she uses design to unlock value, solve complex problems, and deliver customer-first experiences that drive measurable business results.
Natalie is known for translating complexity into meaningful, usable experiences that balance customer needs with commercial outcomes. With a pedigree in strategic execution, and strong foundations and deep expertise across UX Research, UX Design, and UI Design, she brings a data-informed approach to defining the right problems, aligning stakeholders, and shaping clear product direction. Natalie is recognised for developing scalable design practices, raising quality through strong craft, and guiding teams from discovery through to delivery.
Fred Roed
CEO | Heavy Chef
Natalie is MakeReign’s Creative Group Head, and an award-winning e-commerce designer. She builds, nurtures, and matures exceptional product design teams, and the digital products and services they create. Her work sits at the intersection of design excellence and business strategy, where she uses design to unlock value, solve complex problems, and deliver customer-first experiences that drive measurable business results.
Natalie is known for translating complexity into meaningful, usable experiences that balance customer needs with commercial outcomes. With a pedigree in strategic execution, and strong foundations and deep expertise across UX Research, UX Design, and UI Design, she brings a data-informed approach to defining the right problems, aligning stakeholders, and shaping clear product direction. Natalie is recognised for developing scalable design practices, raising quality through strong craft, and guiding teams from discovery through to delivery.
Howie Kahn
Brand Director | Sealand Gear
Natalie is MakeReign’s Creative Group Head, and an award-winning e-commerce designer. She builds, nurtures, and matures exceptional product design teams, and the digital products and services they create. Her work sits at the intersection of design excellence and business strategy, where she uses design to unlock value, solve complex problems, and deliver customer-first experiences that drive measurable business results.
Natalie is known for translating complexity into meaningful, usable experiences that balance customer needs with commercial outcomes. With a pedigree in strategic execution, and strong foundations and deep expertise across UX Research, UX Design, and UI Design, she brings a data-informed approach to defining the right problems, aligning stakeholders, and shaping clear product direction. Natalie is recognised for developing scalable design practices, raising quality through strong craft, and guiding teams from discovery through to delivery.
Dean Broadley
Design Director | Yoco
Natalie is MakeReign’s Creative Group Head, and an award-winning e-commerce designer. She builds, nurtures, and matures exceptional product design teams, and the digital products and services they create. Her work sits at the intersection of design excellence and business strategy, where she uses design to unlock value, solve complex problems, and deliver customer-first experiences that drive measurable business results.
Natalie is known for translating complexity into meaningful, usable experiences that balance customer needs with commercial outcomes. With a pedigree in strategic execution, and strong foundations and deep expertise across UX Research, UX Design, and UI Design, she brings a data-informed approach to defining the right problems, aligning stakeholders, and shaping clear product direction. Natalie is recognised for developing scalable design practices, raising quality through strong craft, and guiding teams from discovery through to delivery.
Phumi Körber
Founder | Kloset Klub
Natalie is MakeReign’s Creative Group Head, and an award-winning e-commerce designer. She builds, nurtures, and matures exceptional product design teams, and the digital products and services they create. Her work sits at the intersection of design excellence and business strategy, where she uses design to unlock value, solve complex problems, and deliver customer-first experiences that drive measurable business results.
Natalie is known for translating complexity into meaningful, usable experiences that balance customer needs with commercial outcomes. With a pedigree in strategic execution, and strong foundations and deep expertise across UX Research, UX Design, and UI Design, she brings a data-informed approach to defining the right problems, aligning stakeholders, and shaping clear product direction. Natalie is recognised for developing scalable design practices, raising quality through strong craft, and guiding teams from discovery through to delivery.
Calvin Pedzai
Head of Experience Design | Takealot
Natalie is MakeReign’s Creative Group Head, and an award-winning e-commerce designer. She builds, nurtures, and matures exceptional product design teams, and the digital products and services they create. Her work sits at the intersection of design excellence and business strategy, where she uses design to unlock value, solve complex problems, and deliver customer-first experiences that drive measurable business results.
Natalie is known for translating complexity into meaningful, usable experiences that balance customer needs with commercial outcomes. With a pedigree in strategic execution, and strong foundations and deep expertise across UX Research, UX Design, and UI Design, she brings a data-informed approach to defining the right problems, aligning stakeholders, and shaping clear product direction. Natalie is recognised for developing scalable design practices, raising quality through strong craft, and guiding teams from discovery through to delivery.
Grant Campbell
Creative Technology Director | MakeReign
Natalie is MakeReign’s Creative Group Head, and an award-winning e-commerce designer. She builds, nurtures, and matures exceptional product design teams, and the digital products and services they create. Her work sits at the intersection of design excellence and business strategy, where she uses design to unlock value, solve complex problems, and deliver customer-first experiences that drive measurable business results.
Natalie is known for translating complexity into meaningful, usable experiences that balance customer needs with commercial outcomes. With a pedigree in strategic execution, and strong foundations and deep expertise across UX Research, UX Design, and UI Design, she brings a data-informed approach to defining the right problems, aligning stakeholders, and shaping clear product direction. Natalie is recognised for developing scalable design practices, raising quality through strong craft, and guiding teams from discovery through to delivery.
Natalie de Canha
Creative Group Head | MakeReign
Natalie is MakeReign’s Creative Group Head, and an award-winning e-commerce designer. She builds, nurtures, and matures exceptional product design teams, and the digital products and services they create. Her work sits at the intersection of design excellence and business strategy, where she uses design to unlock value, solve complex problems, and deliver customer-first experiences that drive measurable business results.
Natalie is known for translating complexity into meaningful, usable experiences that balance customer needs with commercial outcomes. With a pedigree in strategic execution, and strong foundations and deep expertise across UX Research, UX Design, and UI Design, she brings a data-informed approach to defining the right problems, aligning stakeholders, and shaping clear product direction. Natalie is recognised for developing scalable design practices, raising quality through strong craft, and guiding teams from discovery through to delivery.
GET INVOLVED
Help SHAPe THE NEXT GENERATION OF BUILDERS
2026
How to get
Involved
keynotes speaker
Keynotes Speaker
Share a perspective, story or idea that challenges the room and inspires new thinking across design, technology, product and AI.
- Industry trends and future signals
- Lessons from building real products
- Emerging technology and innovation
Fireside Chats
Fireside Chats
Join a moderated discussion exploring leadership, product development, creativity and modern business building.
- Founder journeys and lessons learned
- Product and growth conversations
- Leadership in the AI era
Masterclasses & Workshops
Masterclasses & Workshops
Lead a practical session designed to help attendees develop new skills, explore tools and experiment with new ways of working.
- AI workflows and tools
- Design and product craft
- Prototyping and emerging technologies
Hackathon Judging
Hackathon Judging
Help evaluate submissions, provide feedback and identify the strongest teams across thinking, execution and impact.
- Submission reviews
- Finalist judging panels
- Awards and winner selection
Faqs
Help SHAPe THE NEXT GENERATION OF BUILDERS
2026
get answers to
your questions
The event culminates in a live finalist showcase, awards ceremony and closing celebration, bringing together participants, sponsors and guests to recognise the strongest ideas and outcomes from the event.
[01]
What is Builders table?
Builders Table is a curated hackathon that brings together designers, developers, strategists, founders and creative technologists to solve real-world challenges, collaborate with like-minded people and build innovative solutions.
[02]
When is Builders Table taking place?
Builders Table will take place on 18–19 September 2026.
[03]
Who can apply?
Anyone aged 18 years or older is welcome to apply. We encourage applications from designers, developers, strategists, founders, students and creative technologists.
[04]
Do I need previous hackathon experience?
No. Whether it's your first hackathon or you're an experienced participant, Builders Table is designed to be an inclusive environment where people can learn, collaborate and build together.
[05]
Where will the event take place?
Parkviews, Woodstock, Cape Town. We'll provide all the information you need, including directions, parking details and arrival times.
[06]
How does the application process work?
Our application process is simple:
Submit your application online.
Our team reviews all applications.
Successful applicants receive an invitation to join.
Pay the R500 participation fee to confirm your place.
Get ready to build!
Submit your application online.
Our team reviews all applications.
Successful applicants receive an invitation to join.
Pay the R500 participation fee to confirm your place.
Get ready to build!
[07]
Why do I need to apply?
Builders Table is a curated event. We review every application to create a balanced mix of skills, experience and perspectives, helping to foster meaningful collaboration and a great event experience.
[08]
Does submitting an application guarantee my place?
No. Submitting an application does not guarantee participation. Every application is reviewed before invitations are issued.
[09]
How will I know if my application is successful?
We'll notify all applicants by email once the review process has been completed.
[10]
What happens if I'm not selected?
If your application isn't successful this time, we'll let you know by email. We encourage you to apply for future Builders Table events.