13 September, 17:00 –
15 September, 20:00 (Latvia time)
Riga, Latvia
Riga Technical University Science and Innovation Centre (Ķīpsalas iela 6a)
Join the Hackathon in Riga!
Discover the potential of space data and create a solution for environment or green transition. Your next venture could start here…
Join the 7th CASSINI Hackathon in Latvia to network, collaborate and find solutions for important challenges.
Registration is free, and anyone can join; no experience or prior knowledge in satellite data is necessary!
You’ll be inspired by local experts in business & space technology! You’ll learn how to access satellite data from Copernicus and satellite positioning and navigation services from EGNOS and Galileo.
Moreover, our hackathon partner Airbus will provide access to their high-quality Earth Observation data sets!
You’ll meet skilled people, join a team and develop a pitch to meet one of the challenges →
- Monitoring & reporting on carbon emissions
- Optimising services and planning to develop sustainable living
- Predicting and mitigating climate change
Latvia has a long tradition of tech innovation, but our reserved culture means that great ideas aren’t always visible. At this Hackathon, we will build change together!
Data from space can unveil unique insights and solutions - and we need your creativity to tackle real-world challenges:
- Peat (kūdra in Latvian) is a globally underrated natural resource: it improves soil fertility and is a source of green energy. Yet it's widely assumed that peat produces large amounts of emissions, and thus is thought to be harmful to the environment. Is it, though? Can you think of solutions to help the Latvian National Peat Society monitor bog land emissions and think of green innovation featuring Latvian peat and satellite data?
- More than half of Latvia's territory is covered in forests, and each single tree matters, especially if the forest is your commodity. Storms of unprecedented severity, floods, bark beetle, unsustainable use of forests are all devastating. How do you reduce the risks of managing private forests and increase their future potential? SIA "Privātais mežs" wants you to develop satellite data-based solutions for the sustainable development of forest business!
- Imagine traffic lights turning green exactly when you need them, recreational zones where you want them, and connectivity that predicts your needs and values your time. Satellite data can be your tool for such solutions in Latvia and beyond. Make your city just as smart as you are - Riga City Council invites you to propose satellite-based digitalisation solutions for sustainable living!
- What if we told you that blockchain technology can be applied to satellite data, for instance to verify and trace it? Latvia has a stong and globally competitive blockchain community. One of its leader, Gravity Team, will teach you how to use blockchain and challenge you to think of satellite data x blochckain x environment solutions! The best one will be Ethereum-rewarded!
Any other idea on using Earth Observation and / or positioning & navigation satellite data for the environment and sustainability? Feel free to freestyle with your team and try your chances!
We have a range of local experts ready to support our participants and produce vibrant new ventures. Count on generous prizes for motivation!
If you want to be part of this future, sign up now. Join us in Riga on 13-15 September and discover the vast potential of European Union's space data.
Prizes
The participants of the 7th Cassini Hackathon in Latvia will compete for:
- special prizes from the Challenge Owners: Latvian National Peat Society, Privātais mežs, Riga City Council & Gravity Team
- 3rd place: € 400
- 2nd place: € 700
- 1st place: €1,000
The winning team will take part in the European-level competition on 18 September 2024.
The top three teams from all competing hackathons will receive a total of up to €9,000 in prizes (1st place: €5,000; 2nd place: €3,000; 3rd place: €1,000).
The final competition will take place on 18 September 2024 in Zunda Towers in Riga! To support the Latvian team, there will be a start-up community party with a presentation about governmental support available for the hackathon idea afterlife. All participants will be invited, no matter the outcome!
The Competition Rules (in Latvian) are available here.
Mentoring
The team will receive technical, business and communication mentoring, whereas Latvia's top team can count on extra support in the final European pitch preparation.
The top 3 teams across all competing hackathons will be awarded an additional 100 hours of expert mentoring from CASSINI.
Our local organiser, the Latvian Space Industry Association, represents and promotes the national space sector. They helped develop the Space Strategy for Latvia 2021-2027 and are committed to bringing more young people into the sector. At the Hackathon, we can do this by connecting teams and raising awareness.
Don’t miss your opportunity to meet key figures in the space sector of Latvia and connect with skilled professionals – in Riga this September. Register now.
This hackathon is supported by the following sponsors and partners:
Challenge Owner: the Latvian National Peat Society was founded with the aim of promoting the cooperation of organizations involved in the management and research of bogs and peat resources for the promotion of sustainable management of peat resources in Latvia.
Challenge Owner: Riga City Council is the municipality of Riga that has put its course of sustainable and digital development of the capital, its infrastructure and services. A new Riga Digital Agency was launched to improve digital services and use of data. Riga is a user of Earth Observation data implementing Horizon Europe projects.
Challenge Owner: Private Forest is Latvia’s fastest growing company specialised in forest and arable land transactions. Part of an international group of companies with €20+ mln revenue (2021). The CEO mentored an Act in Space hackathon’s team in Latvia, who achieved top-5 among 39 countries in the finals.
Challenge Owner: internationally leading algorithmic crypto trading firm with a focus on making crypto markets more efficient and liquid. Gravity Team takes a proactive action to develop Latvia’s blockchain ecosystem through raising awareness about blockchain technologies and introducing them into other industries. Gravity Team intends provide a technical training in blockchain for CASSINI Hackathon participants and sponsor a prize.
An international full-cycle deep-tech and science (applied research) commercialization platform, among the most experienced in Europe. Commercialization Reactor encompasses all necessary elements of the ecosystem and guides newborn spinouts through the commercialization process.
The ministry is responsible for the Latvian space policy, coordinates the Latvian space working group and Latvia’s associate membership in the European Space Agency.
