27 - 29 November
Darmstadt
On-site
Join the Hackathon in Darmstadt!
Are you ready to meet your co-founders? Over an intensive 48 hours, you’ll learn how to use space data and develop a bold solution to support safety and security in Europe. Welcome to the Hackathon.
This year, we host the 12th CASSINI Hackathon funded by EUSPA, and this edition is all about Peace and Resilience in Europe. In Darmstadt, you’ll enjoy a programme combining expert mentoring, workshops, and social activities.
Registration is completely free. You’ll have the opportunity to hear from national experts in defence, security, and satellite data. Ahead of the weekend, watch our online training sessions and learn how to access EU space data from Copernicus, Galileo and EGNOS. Then connect with like-minded team members and develop a solution for the chance to win cash prizes and mentoring.
- Cybersecurity for space-based strategic enablers
- Space-enabled crisis response and civil resilience
- Countering transnational crime and terrorism with space data
⭐You don’t need any previous experience – you’ll receive the trainings and tools you need to utilise EU space data and successfully develop and pitch your business model.
⭐You can join as a team or an individual – we’ll connect you with professionals to form a multi-skilled team.
⭐ You don’t have to be a coding specialist – the best teams contain people with different backgrounds.
Local prizes:
- First prize: €1,500
- Second prize: €1,000
- Third prize: €500
- ALL WINNERS:
- Eligible for the ESA BIC Incubation Programme, including 20 hours of mentoring
- Investment readiness provided by FUTURY CAPITAL
Central prizes:
Additionally, the local winners will qualify for the European competition, where they will receive the following prizes:
- 1st place: €5,000
- 2nd place: €3,000
- 3rd place: €1,000
Mentoring
The top 3 teams across all competing hackathons will each be awarded an additional 6 months of expert mentoring by CASSINI.
Darmstadt has become one of Europe’s key ‘space clusters’, home to the European Space Operations Centre (ESA ESOC), EUMETSAT, the ESA BIC, ATHENE and Fraunhofer SIT. Together with local businesses in the space sector, they form an infrastructure that is essential for national and European security, crisis response, and the reliable operation of space-based applications.
Join us this year for an exciting opportunity to make connections in the local space and security ecosystem.
This is the agenda we prepared for our local event in Darmstadt/GERMANY. Some timings are not yet fixed. Please keep track of our agenda, because we might update some of sections. If you can not take part in some of the sections write us on discord our reach out to us directly via mail to: events@cesah.com
Arrival at the venue
You can check-in starting at 17:00 at our local site.
Hackathon kick-off
Welcome from the central hub by European Commission and organisers. A look ahead to the weekend.
Space Dinner.
In parallel
Livestream carousel (Mentoring & Teamwork) Play livestream carousel on TAIKAI
Local Keynote
We will have a local keynote at the venue to push your ideas even further.
Last organisational instructions
Session to help teams get on track and work in groups.
Happy Hacking
Time for you to work on your ideas. Group rooms will remain open through the night.
Midnight wrap-up.
Our famous midnight wrap-up. Tell us what you have achieved so far, what you are working on right now and what's up next.
Space Walk
Join us for a re-energizing walk around the block.
Happy Hacking
Work through the night in your dedicated spaces. NOTE: MAIN ROOM is closed during the night, but group rooms remain open.
Kick-start session
Breakfast
You can join the streaming of the non mandatory online workshop about Need Analysis in the main room.
Mentors sessions
Mentors are available for your questions
Lunch time
You can join the streaming of the non mandatory online workshop about Product / Service in the main room.
Live pitching workshop (MANDATORY PARTICIPATION)
Please send us your questions before the training starts.
Happy Hacking
You can join the streaming of the non mandatory online workshop about Roadmap Building in the main room.
Space Dinner
Happy Hacking
Reboot Session
Live from and to the Central Hub, Darmstadt is live again.
Breakfast
Join us to have a small breakfast with coffee, tea and other goodies.
Lunch Time
We will have lunch together. There might be some left overs, if you can not make it on time. Nevertheless, the main canteen area is closed but side room remains open.
Happy Hacking
Time for you to work on your ideas.
Submission Deadline
This is a hard deadline. Keep in eye on it to stay compliant.
Local Pitches & Jury Deliberation
Jury will evaluate your pitches afterwards
Winners announcement and awards ceremony
The best 3 teams will be awarded and the best team qualifies for the european finals.
Closing remarks from the Central Hub.
Goodbye and farewell Europe!
Farewell Space Dinner and After Hackathon Party
All participants, mentors, jurors are invited to join our dinner as well as our after show party having some space cocktails.
The Big Ideas Campaign is that moment of the year when the energy starts building across Europe, when hackers, innovators, and curious minds begin to feel that something exciting is coming.
It’s more than just a countdown to the CASSINI Hackathon: it’s the first step into the experience itself.
During this phase, participants are invited to dive deeper into the themes, challenges, and tools that will shape the Hackathon journey. It’s the perfect opportunity to get informed, get inspired, and start thinking in the right direction: from understanding the challenge areas to exploring key space technologies like Copernicus Programme and Galileo navigation system.
Beyond inspiration, the Big Ideas Campaign also helps participants get practically prepared. From logistics and timelines to challenge insights and team preparation, everything is designed to ensure that when the Hackathon begins, everyone can focus on what matters most: building impactful solutions.
Why the Problem-Solution-Fit matters so much
A deep dive into problem-solution fit for space startups, exploring its importance, practical strategies and techniques for navigating extreme uncertainty.
Space data provides us with a new view of the planet. How could it be used to protect our infrastructure and counter crime? A wide range of business, space, and security experts will offer their insights to help you design a bold and relevant solution
CESAH runs the ESA Business Incubation Centre, bringing expertise, market insight and investor connections to startups in Darmstadt, the Rhine-Main-Region and in the state of Hesse. It is a significant supporter of local innovation, having organised more than 20 hackathons – and seen the startups that have flourished as a result!
Drawing on this experience, CESAH’s edition of the Hackathon will include energising activities like a pre-Hackathon meet and greet, an ongoing mentor room, LEGO SERIOUS PLAY workshops and more.
Don’t miss your opportunity to meet key figures in the German defence and space sector at the 12th CASSINI Hackathon in Darmstadt. Register now.
