Are you ready to take on real-world challenges using European Union Space technologies?
Happening across 10 different European locations, this hackathon took place from November 22-24, 2024, and gave innovators a chance to leverage EU space assets like Copernicus, Galileo, EGNOS, and Secure SATCOM to solve critical security issues.

#cassiniEU invites EU's brightest minds to take part in this exciting event!

Meet the 10 Local Organisers Hosting the Hackathon

For the 8^th edition, 10 local organisers hosted events in their regions. Each organiser brings unique expertise and a strong local ecosystem, helping to transform participants' ideas into impactful solutions.

Here are the selected local organisers:

1. Arribes Enlightenment, Spain

Arribes Enlightenment, Spain Spain’s edition of the Hackathon was hosted by a consortium, including Arribes Enlightenment, ETSIAE (the Aerospace Engineering School), and Madri+d, a non-profit organisation focused on fostering innovation in tech-based startups. Arribes Enlightenment was a consultancy that advocated for the integration of space technologies into business and industry. Together, these organisations offered a wealth of knowledge, mentorship, and resources, creating a fertile environment for innovative space technology solutions to flourish. With access to Spain’s top aerospace expertise and a robust startup ecosystem, participants in the Spanish Hackathon were well-positioned to develop impactful solutions.

2. Design Terminal Nonprofit Kft., Hungary

Design Terminal Nonprofit Kft., Hungary Design Terminal, one of Hungary’s premier innovation hubs, has served as an ESA Business Incubation Centre, supporting over 2,500 startups and small to medium-sized enterprises. Their expertise in nurturing early-stage ventures is bolstered by a professional network of more than 100 expert mentors, providing valuable industry insights and connections. Having successfully hosted the CASSINI Hackathons in both 2022 and 2023, Design Terminal has established itself as a key player in the space innovation landscape. Their extensive experience in building cross-sector partnerships makes them a vital contributor to this year’s event, ensuring participants receive the guidance and resources necessary for success.

3. NGO Metalab, Ukraine

NGO Metalab, Ukraine Metalabbased in the city of Ivano-Frankivsk, is an urban laboratory dedicated to sustainable innovation and product design. It serves as a hub for a diverse range of initiatives, encompassing social, educational, and business projects, fostering a creative and entrepreneurial spirit. METALAB plays a pivotal role in Ukraine’s innovation landscape, exemplified by its commitment to community development and sustainable practices. Their involvement in the CASSINI Hackathon reflects a dedication to supporting sustainable development and technological progress, particularly in areas where space-based solutions can make a meaningful impact. With strong community ties and an innovative approach, METALAB offers a vibrant platform for participants to bring their ideas to life.

4. Stichting Dotspace, Netherlands

DotSPACE, in collaboration with Royal HaskoningDHV (RHDHV), is a pivotal player in the Dutch space ecosystem. They were dedicated to raising awareness about the transformative potential of space technologies and how they could be applied to defence and security sectors. The Hackathon in the Netherlands was a joint effort, bringing together experts from academia, government, and the private sector to create a dynamic and innovative environment. DotSPACE’s approach emphasised cross-disciplinary collaboration, ensuring participants had access to a wide array of resources and expertise to develop groundbreaking solutions.

5. Pomeranian Special Economic Zone, Blue Dot Solutions, Poland

Pomeranian Special Economic Zone, Blue Dot Solutions, Poland In Poland, the Hackathon was co-organised by two leading organisations. Blue Dot Solutions, a consultancy firm specialising in space technologies, had supported numerous startups, connecting them with significant investment funding. They brought extensive experience in guiding early-stage companies through the intricacies of launching and scaling space-based solutions. The Pomeranian Special Economic Zone (PSEZ), meanwhile, served as a major hub for innovation and business, hosting a network of businesses at the Baltic Port of New Technologies. Together, they offered an unparalleled ecosystem for participants, combining mentorship, funding opportunities, and access to cutting-edge facilities.

6. Prazsky Inovacni Institut, Czechia

Prazsky Inovacni Institut, Czechia The Prague Innovation Institute remains a key driver of the innovation ecosystem in Czechia, offering comprehensive support to startups and established businesses alike. With a focus on research, technology transfer, and funding, they help innovators turn their ideas into successful ventures. By building strong connections between academia, industry, and government, the institute fosters a collaborative environment where space technology thrives. Their involvement in the Hackathon was part of their broader mission to empower local talent and ensure that the next generation of innovators is equipped to tackle Europe’s most pressing security challenges.

7. Fondazione E. Amaldi, Italy

Fondazione E. Amaldi, Italy Fondazione E. AmaldiFondazione E. Amaldi promotes research and innovation, with a strong emphasis on integrating space technologies into the business landscape. The foundation works closely with startups and SMEs to help them tap into the potential of space-based solutions, often collaborating with experts from diverse industries to create synergies that drive innovation. Headquartered within the Italian Space Agency in Rome, Fondazione E. Amaldi was strategically positioned during the Hackathon to provide participants with access to Italy’s top space resources, including funding opportunities and strategic partnerships, making it an ideal launchpad for space tech initiatives.

8. Inteligența Artificială in Acțiune ONG, Moldova

Inteligența Artificială in Acțiune ONG, Moldova Artificial Intelligence in Actionis a non-profit entity based in Moldova, focused on the development and application of AI, Data Science, Machine Learning, and Computer Vision technologies. Their mission is to advance technology and drive solutions to complex challenges using space data. By spearheading AI innovation within Moldova, they are paving the way for local talent to participate in international tech ecosystems. During the Hackathon, they brought a fresh perspective, particularly in areas where artificial intelligence intersected with space technologies to enhance defence and security, showcasing their strong focus on research and technological advancement.

9. Tovarna Podjemov, Slovenia

Tovarna Podjemov, Slovenia Tovarna Podjemov (Venture Factory), based at the University of Maribor, is Slovenia’s business incubation centre. Their mission is to help ambitious startups and companies disrupt existing markets and build resilient, future-proof businesses. They manage the Start Slovenia platform and the prestigious PODIM conference, which brings together innovators from across Europe. During the 4th and 6th CASSINI Hackathons, Venture Factory showcased their ability to transform ideas into tangible success by successfully helping the winning team, Yolanda, bring their product to market. Their expertise in supporting entrepreneurs through every stage of development made them a key partner in this year’s Hackathon.

10. Sopra Steria Benelux, Belgium

Sopra Steria Benelux, Belgium Sopra Steria Beneluxis committed to bridging the gap between cutting-edge innovation and real-world challenges faced by defence and security professionals. Their collaboration with the Belgian Ministry of Defence ensures a close alignment with the sector’s needs, while the assets they manage, developed by the CS Group for space missions, provided a strong foundation during the Hackathon for space-based solutions. Sopra Steria Benelux excelled in guiding teams from ideation to launch, helping participants transform innovative concepts into practical applications that could be swiftly implemented in the field of security and defence.

Shape the Future of European Defence & Security with EU Space Technology:

The 8^th CASSINI Hackathon offered the opportunity to develop impactful solutions that could shape the future of European defence and security. Participants will tackle three major challenges during the event, all designed to make use of EU Space technologies:

Challenge 1: Enhancing Defence & Security with Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) — Leverage geospatial intelligence and earth observation to improve security measures.
Challenge 2: Unmanned Drone Applications for Defence & Security Operations — Develop drone-based solutions for DroneOps and security.
Challenge 3: Orbital Security by Navigating the Collision Frontier — Innovate solutions for space situational awareness and Space Traffic Management (STM) to avoid satellite collisions.