International Hackathon

What is an International Hackathon?

A hackathon is an event where creative, open-minded, entrepreneurial people from different disciplines meet together - in an intensive business development sprint - to work together to find a solution to a specific industry or technology problem or challenge. The goal is to create an MVP - which is a demo version of the product / service, NOT a prototype - during the event, thus supporting the viability of the idea. In many cases, teams continue to work on the MVP, either out of self-interest or after a hackathon, until a final, marketable solution is found. In fact, the hackathon is a challenge-based complex learning framework.

This year's topic

Entrepreneurial Education Reimagined - Transform the Role of the University!

At the 2025 Spring Simonyi Hackathon, teams will have the opportunity to reform entrepreneurial university education along the subthemes of creating an entrepreneurial university environment, developing tools and methods to support education, boosting student motivation, and fostering effective communication. The goal is to enhance the entrepreneurial competencies and skills of the student base.

Additionally, participants can explore alternative approaches, as they are encouraged to outline their own needs during the one-and-a-half-day event, supported by professional mentors and industry stakeholders.

16th April, 2025

12:00-12:30 Registration (3rd floor B323)

13:00-13:30 Opening inspirative session

13:30-14:00 Pitch training

14:00-14:45 Teamwork: Troubleshooting/problem identification

14:45-15:00 COFFEE BREAK

15:00-16:30 Teamwork: problem dissection/problem refinement

16:30-17:00 Keynote speaker

17th Apri, 2025 (3rd floor – Room B323)

8:00-8:30 Coffee Break to start the day

8:30-9:30 Teamwork: drafting solution concepts

9:30-10:15 Teamwork: Refining solutions, selecting 1 final

10:15-10:30 COFFEE BREAK

10:30-11:00 Teamwork: drafting MVP sketches

11:00-12:00 Teamwork: MVP creation

12:00-13:00 LUNCH BREAK

13:00-14:00 Expert validation

14:00-15:00 Teamwork: Preparing for the pitch

14:00-15:30 COFFEE BREAK

from 15:30 "Pitch" presentations

Jury decision + Announcement of results