27 - 29 November
Bucharest
On-site
Join the Hackathon in Bucharest!
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 Bucharest, you’ll enjoy a programme combining expert mentoring with pitch training and networking events.
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:
In Romania, our top three teams will win:
- 1st place: €2.000
- 2nd place: €1,250
- 3rd place: €750
- All winning teams: Entry to a 2-month mentoring track to develop MVP and technical roadmap; fast-track entry to Techcelerator’s ‘Defender’ track and Startup Reaktor; plus more local prizes, to be announced soon.
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.
Bordering Ukraine and the Black Sea, Romania is experiencing the challenges of regional instability—from border security and refugee logistics to threats to critical infrastructure. Security is a key priority for the Romanian Space Agency, with initiatives like the Security Cyber Centre of Excellence and research supporting defence for services and infrastructure.
Meanwhile, our startup ecosystem is rapidly growing, with space startups like GMV Romania and StarCloud securing substantial contracts and investment. Now is the perfect time to develop a venture which serves national defence and security, and the Hackathon is an excellent place to begin!
Join us to learn from national experts and create your own, meaningful solution for Romanian defence and security.
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.
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.
The Romanian Tech Startups Association (ROTSA) connects startups with mentors, investors, and academic institutions to foster innovation and growth. Since 2021 ROTSA has supported more than 2,000 startups.
For this Hackathon, ROTSA is collaborating with Techcelerator – Romania’s leading accelerator for early-stage tech – and DiFine PR, providing participants with outstanding connections, opportunities and training on their business journey.
Don’t miss your opportunity to hear from experts in the Romanian defence and space sector at the 12th CASSINI Hackathon. Register now.
Additional sponsors and partners may be added.
The list is subject to change.
