CASSINI Hackathons Environment and Green Transition

Meet the local organisers

The Environment & Green Transition CASSINI Hackathon is set for 13-15 September 2024! This edition we are utilising EU space technologies to support the transition to a sustainable economic system and the protection of the environment. This pan-European hackathon is challenging Europe’s entrepreneurs, researchers, students, and young professionals to make a lasting impact on environment and green transition. Meet the selected local organisers for this new set of challenges:

1. Albania: ALBICT  

ALBICT will be organising the Hackathon in Albania! ALBICT is an NGO focused on innovation. Since 2014 it’s supported more than 75 startups and 600 youth projects as part of its mission to empower positive change in Albania. ALBICT helps businesses to launch or grow, connects an innovation ecosystem, and supports youth engagement through education programmes. It’s organised the Albanian ICT awards for 12 years and works with UNICEF to engage young people in producing solutions for problems like climate change. It’s the perfect host for this edition of the Hackathon in Albania.

2. Croatia: Algebra University 

Algebra University will be organising the Hackathon in Croatia! Based at Algebra University, Algebra LAB is a centre for research and innovation and a startup incubator. It provides research opportunities, entrepreneurial education, mentorship, a network of professional contacts, and a collaborative space for idea exchange. Thanks to funding from the European Space Agency, Algebra University now offers two space-related degree courses, fostering the development of practical skills and forging links with leading businesses.  

3. Czech Republic: Insane Business Ideas

Insane Business Ideas will be organising the Hackathon in Czech Republic! Insane Business Ideas s.r.o. has organised several international Hackathons, including a previous CASSINI Hackathon. They’re well-connected to national businesses and academic centres, and will bring a range of exciting expert speakers (plus hands-on workshops and training) to the new venue in Hradec Králové.

4. Greece: DRAXIS Environmental 

DRAXIS Environmental will be organising the Hackathon in Greece! DRAXIS Environmental specialises in environmental ICT solutions. They have built multi-functional web-based platforms and mobile applications, decision making tools, crowdsourcing platforms, workflow systems and more. The organisers are keen to meet and inspire the next generation of innovators – and bring their extensive network to this edition of the Hackathon.

5. Italy: ComoNExT

ComoNExT will be organising the Hackathon in Italy! Our local organiser, ComoNExT, is an innovation hub specialising in digital transformation. Based in a nineteenth-century cotton mill in Lomazza, ComoNExT is currently supporting 140 companies with technology transfer, promotional and funding services. Through regular Academies and projects like the NExT Marketing Lab, ComoNExT delivers training to prepare SMEs for success. Its links with businesses in the community will bring expertise and invaluable networking opportunities to this Hackathon.  

6. Latvia: Latvian Space Industry Association 

Latvian Space Industry Association will be organising the Hackathon in Latvia! Our local organiser, the Latvian Space Industry Association, represents and promotes the national space sector. They helped to develop the Latvian Space Strategy (a set of goals for 2021-27) and are committed to bringing more young people into the sector. At the Hackathon, they can do this by connecting teams and raising awareness.

7. Norway: Bølgen bærekraftsenter

Bølgen bærekraftsenter will be organising the Hackathon in Norway! Bølgen bærekraftsenter is a regional Centre for Sustainability. It unites businesses, innovators, academia and environmentalists in the interest of sustainable change. The Centre offers education, business development and transition advice to startups and SMEs, with support services which will be offered to the winning teams. Bølgen bærekraftsenter is working with Digin to host the 7th CASSINI Hackathon. Digin is Norway’s largest ICT cluster, with 95 members ranging from academic institutions to businesses and investors. It supports the fast-growing Norwegian ICT sector and brings valuable connections to this edition of the Hackathon.

8. Poland: ABGi Poland / Blue Dot Solutions 

ABGi Poland and Blue Dot Solutions will be organising the Hackathon in Poland! Our Polish edition of the 7th CASSINI Hackathon is jointly organised by ABGi Poland (a consulting firm specialising in funding) and Blue Dot Solutions (an international startup platform which also runs the Space3ac accelerator). The two groups have participated in the EOClimLab consortium, an ESA-backed project which organised several hackathons focused on using space data for climate change and monitoring solutions.

9. Romania: Romanian Space Initiative (ROSPIN)

Romanian Space Initiative (ROSPIN) will be organising the Hackathon in Romania! The Romanian Space Initiative (ROSPIN) is an NGO on a mission to develop the local ecosystem through education, community events, and technical projects. ROSPIN developed Romania’s first Earth Observation open-source satellite and designed a Mars rover for the European Rover Challenge. Through space education programmes, ROSPIN aims to help young people engage in cutting-edge space challenges and collaborate with international experts. 

10. Spain: Knowledge Innovation Market BCN

Fundació Privada Knowledge Innovation Market BCN (KIMbcn) will be organising the Hackathon in Spain! The IEEC was established in February 1996 as a private, non–profit foundation to foster space R&D in Catalonia. It has four members: Foundation Knowledge Innovation Market (KIMbcn), the Chamber of Commerce of Barcelona, the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC) and the Cartographical and Geological Institute of Catalonia (ICGC). The consortium has exceptional knowledge and connections covering the space sector, business outreach, and technological developments. It’s perfectly positioned to offer cutting-edge training and business support to participants in this Hackathon.