Hackathon
We organize international and national hackathons as collaborative innovation sprints to tackle challenges in the healthcare, social, and startup sectors. From Italy to France, Germany, and Austria – we design tailored formats that deliver impactful solutions.
Italy Hackathon
- Cut-off-Date #2 from 01.03.2026
We offer the planning and realisation of one international hackathon in Italy in 2026 (we ensure participation from Italy and Slovenia and we open particpations to all other countries of the Alpine Space) to develop innovative solutions for current challenges in the healthcare and social sector.
We target as participants startups and entrepreneurs, together with interdisciplinary teams of students, developers, health care professionals or other industry experts to tackle a specific challenge, that will be launched by PoloAA and UniVE, in collaboration with the innovation ecosystem we work with in our Regions. As already did in the past, we aim at organize this with the collaboration and support of the AAL Programme, which claim is „Ageing Well in the Digital World”.
We target especially early stages startups/enterprises with low TRL when agility, learning, and connections are crucial. For startups, hackathons are strategic testbeds — offering a mix of validation, networking, visibility and speed.
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The participation to this event give to the startups and entrepreneurs a broad range of added values:
Validation of Ideas
Networking & Exposure
Hackathons bring together investors, corporates, mentors, and other startups.
These events open doors to partnerships, funding, or future collaborations.
They also raise visibility within the ecosystem — especially if there’s media or industry attention.
Acceleration of Product Development
The intense timeframe forces teams to focus and build a prototype or MVP fast.
It’s a great opportunity to test new technologies or pivot without long development cycles.
Access to tools, APIs, or data sets that may not be otherwise available can speed up innovation.
Talent Acquisition & Team Building
Startups and entrepreneurs can spot potential team members among other participants.
Working together in a time-constrained setting reveals strengths, leadership, and gaps in the team.
Market Insight
Prizes & Follow-up Opportunities
France, Germany, Austria – Hackathons
- Cut-off-Date #1 from 15.09.2025
- Cut-off-Date #2 from 01.03.2026
We offer the planning and realization of national hackathons on demand for SMEs/startups in 3 Countries (France, Germany, Austria) that face a challenge (design, technical, etc.) in their development journey.
These hackathons are strategically designed as collaborative innovation sprints, aimed at solving a specific problem faced by the SME. The service supports SMEs and startups throughout the entire process —from identifying key challenges and defining innovation goals, to recruiting interdisciplinary teams, mentoring participants, and guiding the prototyping process.
The focus is on delivering tangible, near-to-market solutions that address real business needs. By leveraging the hackathon format, SMEs and startups gain access to fresh perspectives, technical expertise, and creative energy, all within a condensed timeframe. This approach not only accelerates product development cycles but also fosters a culture of open innovation and collaboration, aligned with the EU’s priorities for competitiveness and digital transformation.
SMEs and startups with needs that can be addressed with a hackathon, can book the service with the partners in France, Germany and Austria. The event will be in national language.
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The added values for a SME/startups in booking hackathon as a service are:
Problem-Solving Through External Innovation
SMEs and startups can bring concrete challenges to a hackathon and get fresh, out-of-the-box solutions.
It’s a cost-effective way to access innovation without long-term commitments to R&D teams or consultants.
Access to Diverse Talent
Hackathons attract developers, designers, researchers, and entrepreneurs.
SMEs and startups can observe potential hires or collaborators in action, solving relevant problems under pressure.
Acceleration of Digital Transformation
Many SMEs and startups struggle to modernize operations or adopt new tech due to limited in-house expertise.Hackathons offer a safe space to explore solutions like AI, automation, or data tools, often with mentor support.
Market Intelligence & Trend Awareness
Exposure to emerging trends and disruptive approaches helps SMEs and startups stay relevant in rapidly changing markets.
Observing how others solve problems can spark internal innovation or process improvements.
Networking with Innovators and Stakeholders
SMEs and startups can build connections with startups, corporates, researchers, and institutions.
These networks can lead to joint projects, grants, or new revenue opportunities.
Positioning & Reputation
Being seen as innovation-friendly enhances the company’s brand with clients, partners, and even talent.
This positioning can help in attracting young professionals and in marketing efforts.
Low-Risk Innovation Testing
SMEs and startups often avoid experimentation due to cost and risk.
Hackathons offer a low-cost, low-risk environment to test new ideas or models before full-scale implementation.
Internal Culture Shift
Participating can inspire employees and help shift company culture toward agility, creativity, and innovation.
It’s a great way to boost internal engagement, especially if teams participate directly.
