From 16th to 20th June 2025, the Cloudy Foundation hosted its latest TechLab Challenge at the vibrant UA92 campus in Manchester –Â a week of innovation, creativity and digital ambition, proudly sponsored by Microsoft, TD SYNNEX, and CloudyIT.Â
This wasn’t just another school project. It was a real-world brief with real business goals and real-world exposure.
The ChallengeÂ
Students from Eden Boys’ School and Eden Girls’ School were tasked with designing and developing a proof-of-concept AI chatbot agent for TD SYNNEX. Its purpose? To help customers request demo sessions for Microsoft Copilot for M365 or Copilot Studio, capturing key details and storing them securely in SharePoint.Â
But this wasn’t just about building technology.Â
Each team also had to launch a full marketing campaign — from branding and messaging to a promotional video — that showcased the chatbot to internal stakeholders and the wider public. With just five days to plan, build, and pitch, the students were immersed in the kind of fast-paced, creative pressure found in any digital agency.Â
Real Roles, Real PressureÂ
Working in structured teams, students took on the roles of designers, marketers, videographers, developers and project managers. They collaborated to negotiate business requirements, manage time effectively, and deliver a complete solution by Friday.Â
Throughout the week, they were supported by expert mentors and industry guests, including professionals from Microsoft, Resultful, The Peter Jones Foundation, and Greater Manchester’s Careers Hub. Adding to the inspiration, representatives from Manchester City Council also attended, showing their support for young people shaping the region’s digital future.Â
Expo Day and the WinnersÂ
The final day saw the UA92 atrium transformed into a buzzing community expo, where each team presented their chatbot and marketing campaign to local guests, mentors, and a panel of judges.Â
The standard was exceptional. But three teams stood out:Â
- TechLab Champions: Aeolus by Eden Girls School – awarded Best Overall Project for its polished design, seamless user experience, and standout campaign strategy.
- Best App: BookIt by Team Conflict – recognised for technical excellence and an intuitive, user-friendly interface.
- Best Teamwork: DemoPilot by Team Tension – praised for collaboration, communication and cohesion throughout the project.Â

Interested in joining or supporting a future TechLab?
 Contact the Cloudy Foundation →Â



















