Global Innovation & Entrepreneurship Programs for Pacific Youth
What is the HEX Programme?
HEX is a globally recognised innovation and entrepreneurship programme that takes students into some of the world’s most dynamic tech and business hubs — including Singapore, Osaka, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, and Melbourne.
Participants learn directly from founders, innovators, and industry leaders. They gain hands‑on experience in:
Innovation and problem‑solving
Entrepreneurship and venture creation
Leadership and teamwork
Global citizenship and cross‑cultural collaboration
Technology, digital skills, and future‑focused thinking
HEX programmes are immersive, fast‑paced, and transformational — designed to stretch students’ thinking and build real‑world capability.
Why PCF Is Supporting This Opportunity?
Pacific youth are creative, resilient, and community‑minded. PCF believes they deserve access to the same global opportunities as any young person in the world. By supporting Pacific participation in HEX programmes, PCF aims to:
Build Global Confidence & Leadership
Exposure to international environments helps young people see themselves as global contributors and leaders. This experience strengthens identity, ambition, and self‑belief.
Expand Mobility and Career Pathways
HEX opens doors to global networks, mentors, and industries. Students return with new connections, new ideas, and new pathways for study, employment, and enterprise.
The Pacific Cooperation Foundation (PCF) is proud to partner with The Hacker Exchange (HEX) to open global innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership opportunities for Pasifika youth in Aotearoa New Zealand. Through this partnership, Pacific students can access world‑class learning experiences across Asia and Australia — building the skills, confidence, and networks needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
This initiative reflects PCF’s commitment to uplifting Pacific talent, expanding mobility pathways, and ensuring our young people are equipped to lead in the global economy.
Grow Pacific Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The future of work is changing. Pacific youth need access to the skills and mindsets that drive innovation — from digital literacy to creative problem‑solving to entrepreneurial thinking.
Strengthen Pacific Communities
When Pacific youth grow, our communities grow. Participants bring back knowledge, confidence, and inspiration that ripple outward to families, schools, and villages.
What Participants Can Expect
This opportunity is ideal for Pacific youth who are:
Curious, motivated, and eager to learn
Interested in innovation, entrepreneurship, tech, or leadership
Ready to step outside their comfort zone
Passionate about contributing to their communities
Looking for global exposure and new pathways
You do not need to have a business idea or tech background — just an open mind and a willingness to grow.
Students selected for the HEX programme will experience:
A 2‑week international learning journey in one of HEX’s global hubs
Workshops, masterclasses, and industry visits with leading innovators
Team‑based projects solving real‑world challenges
Mentoring and coaching from HEX’s global network
Cultural exchange and international friendships
A supportive cohort of Pacific peers
PCF will support recruitment, preparation, and cultural guidance to ensure students feel confident and ready for the experience.
Who Should Apply?
READY TO STEP INTO THE WORLD?
Applications open soon.
Register your interest to be the first to hear about programme dates, eligibility, and selection details.
Your future is global — and it starts here.
Stories from HEX Bangkok
PCF launched the partnership in 2025 by supporting two outstanding Pacific youth to join the HEX Innovation Experience in Bangkok. Their stories reflect the diversity, creativity, and ambition of Pacific innovation.
Featured Projects
Jesse and Benika represent the diversity, creativity, and ambition of Pacific youth. Their ventures — one focused on mental wellbeing, the other on environmental sustainability — reflect the breadth of Pacific innovation and the potential that emerges when young people are given global exposure and support.
Their journeys also demonstrate the value of PCF’s strategic partnership with HEX. Through this collaboration, Pacific youth gain access to world-class learning, international networks, and the confidence to pursue bold ideas that can transform communities.
Jesse Gibson - Founder of Pocket Bro
Jesse is building Pocket Bro, a peer‑support platform designed to strengthen emotional wellbeing among Māori and Pacific men. His mission is to address the deep social norms, generational trauma, and lack of emotional skill‑building that prevent men from seeking help or maintaining supportive friendships.
During HEX, Jesse refined his concept, explored global wellness markets, and gained clarity on the technical foundations needed to scale.
His ask:
• A technical co‑founder (CTO)
• Contributors passionate about men’s mental health
• Support to reach 5,000 men in year one, with potential to scale to 300,000+
“Definitely a life‑changing experience… I have a much better understanding of globalism and foreign markets, and a newfound confidence in my work.”
Benika Vandermeer - Founder of Waste2Walls
Benika is tackling poor waste management and low recycling awareness in Pacific nations through Waste2Walls — a circular innovation project that transforms plastic waste into durable construction materials for shelters and homes.
At HEX, she explored global sustainability models, refined her pitch, and gained confidence in her leadership and storytelling.
Her ask:
• Government grants for school‑based recycling education
• Connections to recycling experts and circular economy mentors
• A partnership with a recycling facility to pilot material conversion
“Dare I say… life changing?! I feel so much more confident within myself. Little me would never believe this.”
Partner with Us
PCF is committed to expanding access to HEX programmes for Pacific youth across Aotearoa and the region. With continued investment, we aim to:
Increase the number of Pacific participants each year
Extend opportunities to emerging entrepreneurs in PNG and across the Pacific
Strengthen our alumni network to support long‑term leadership pathways
Develop tailored innovation programmes grounded in Pacific values
Build a pipeline of Pacific founders, creators, and leaders
