27 - 29 November
Ivano-Frankivsk, Kyiv
On-site
Join the Hackathon in Ukraine!
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 Kyiv and Ivano-Frankivsk, you’ll enjoy a programme combining expert mentoring with pitch training and partner-run workshops.
Registration is completely free. You’ll have the opportunity to hear from national experts in defence, satellite data and aerospace research. 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:
Local prizes – including cash and mentoring packages – will 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.
The theme of this Hackathon aligns with the government’s WINWIN Strategy (2024), which explicitly calls for strengthening entrepreneurial skills, technological competencies, and applied innovation in space technologies.
Our Scientific Lead, Assoc. Prof. Natalia Borotkanych, is one of the experts responsible for implementing the space-related components of the WINWIN Strategy. This means that our participants will have direct insights into the government strategy, and the opportunity to contribute to sustainable, long-term change.
In this Hackathon, you might build a venture which supports communications, protects critical infrastructure, or optimises emergency routing – and become part of the emerging Ukrainian space ecosystem.
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.
After hosting a successful Hackathon in 2024, METALAB is once again organising the CASSINI Hackathon in Ukraine. With a ready network of entrepreneurs, researchers, designers, and engineers, METALAB runs education programmes, research workshops and community events, fostering collaboration and innovation.
Post-Hackathon, METALAB can connect shortlisted teams to academic institutions, expert networks, and innovation programmes.
*To support safety and inclusion, we have selected two sites (Ivano-Frankvisk and Kyiv) sharing the same resources and experts.
Don’t miss your opportunity to meet key figures in the Ukrainian defence and space sector at the 12th CASSINI Hackathon. Register now.
