Imagine this: A room buzzing with energy, new ideas taking flight as over 400 passionate innovators come together with one shared mission—championing accessibility through technology. That’s exactly what unfolded during the Equinix Hack for Good hackathon, a 48-hour event designed to spark collaboration, creativity and meaningful impact.
Accessibility means designing environments, tools, policies and experiences that everyone, regardless of ability or disability, can use fully and independently.
Over the course of two days, participants from across the company worked tirelessly to turn possibilities into reality, developing solutions that make technology more inclusive for everyone. Teams brainstormed, coded and built projects aimed at breaking down barriers and driving accessibility forward.
The results? Over 60 fully functional, demos spanning transformative themes that included portal unification, accessibility and AI as the default. Adding to the excitement, these pioneers had the unique opportunity to showcase their innovations to Equinix leaders, gaining visibility and feedback from those shaping the future of technology.
The true magic of the event was not just in the projects—it was also in the people. Their stories and reactions capture the impact of the Equinix hackathon.
The experiences of the participants, in their own words:
“The Equinix hackathon gave me the space to bring forward an idea that had been sitting quietly for a while—something rooted in personal experience and reflection.” – Dhrubajyoti Chakraborty, Senior Product Manager
“It was super energizing to see how fast we could align, iterate and build something meaningful together.” – Sandy Chang, Senior User Experience Designer
“Innovation thrives when empathy meets execution. Our team didn’t just build a product—we built a solution that matters.” – Namasivayam Easwara Moorthy, Principal Product Manager
“What I’ll remember most about Equinix’s hackathon isn’t just the technology we created, but the human element that made it possible. Every team member brought unique insights that illuminated different facetsof our AI gateway project.” – Andre Stubberfield, Senior Principal Solutions Architect
“The hackathon gave me a chance to stretch beyond my comfort zone and be a part of an experience that reflects the best of what Equinix stands for—collaboration, courage and curiosity.” – Angela Mayfield, Project and Program Manager
“My favorite moment from the Equinix hackathon was when the exhaustion somehow turned into inspiration—when our diverse backgrounds and thinking styles stopped being differences and became our greatest asset.” – Lily Liu, Solutions Architect Senior Associate
“Having time to step away from my regular work to chase creative solutions doesn’t just make the hackathon exciting—it changes how I tackle problems all year long. When the company enthusiastically backs these creative explorations, it creates an atmosphere where everyone feels inspired to think bigger and aim higher.” – Lee Sharping, Principal Solutions Architect
“The hackathon was a unique opportunity to innovate with purpose. It reminded us that technology reaches its true potential only when it’s accessible to all, and that building for everyone creates meaningful impact.” – Salma Sultana, Staff Engineer, Product Software and Carl Peter Ingemar Lindstrom, User Experience Design
“The hackathon opened my eyes to the accessibility gap and gave me a chance to push technical boundaries.” – Nicky Prusty, Senior Software Engineer
“This opportunity was a chance to put the company’s core value of innovation into tangible action. We often talk about pushing boundaries, but the hackathon provides the structure to do it—risk-free and with urgency.” – Fernanda Casadio, Senior Business Systems Analyst
Our leaders were similarly inspired and energized by the creativity and incredible sense of purpose that filled the room. Their reflections reinforced the remarkable technical talent on display, further strengthened by the shared commitment to shape a more inclusive and accessible digital future.
What our leaders had to say about the hackathon’s breakthrough outcomes:
“Accessibility isn’t a niche topic; it must be front and center for us. AI can be leveraged to take something difficult and turn it into something simple, intuitive and conversational, and that is what the spirit of this hackathon is all about.” – Jon Lin, Chief Business Officer
“Accessibility is simple—equal access for all. What starts as accessibility often becomes mainstream innovation. It drives better products, happier customers and more engaged employees. Accessibility isn’t just about features; it is about belonging. Belonging means being seen, valued and included.” – AJ Coon, Senior Vice President, Engineering Excellence
“Every person should have a connected and fulfilling life, especially in this increasingly digital world. We are not there yet, but we are on our way. Accessibility ensures belonging because it sends a very clearmessage. And that is you were thought of; you were included from the start.” – Harmeen Mehta, Chief Digital and Innovation Officer
As we continue to push boundaries and reimagine what’s possible, we invite you to stay connected, join the conversation and be a part of the change. Together, we can build a digital world where everyone belongs.