Business Innovation Hackathons as 2-day competitive workshops are focused on the development of innovative ideas and bringing them to the level of structured business innovations. The participants get a chance to develop their ideas, projects, and solutions through organized teamwork, the Design Thinking method of innovating, and Co-Star presenting. Hackathons involving creative people with different knowledge and skills, as well as mentors and coaches with expertise in idea development. These workshops are intensive and creative, give experiences for all participants, and results in a presentation of innovative ideas addressing a specific industrial challenge.
Business Innovation Hackathon held in 2018 for the individuals and teams interested in the development of ideas focused on the energy sector was organized with a goal to create new projects. The participating teams were challenged to work on innovative solutions for sustainable development that could lead to new start-ups. After the workshop, the participants got the opportunity to join to PRIMER - EIT InnoEnergy pre-acceleration program which is designed for early-stage start-ups. Business Idea Development Courses, organized in 2019 and 2020 were focusing on the development of innovative ideas in the sector of primary and secondary production of raw materials. The participants were holders of innovative ideas (industry experts, scientists, students…) from ADRIA countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Slovenia, Serbia). Three best-rated business ideas were recommended for EIT Jumpstarter program aimed at the next steps in the innovation process.
The 2nd CASSINI Hackathon, an international competition of teams in the development of conceptual solutions, was organized in Croatia by Invento Capital Partners, an entrepreneurial accelerator for start-ups. The hackathon take place on November 5-7, 2021, at the Bird Incubator in Zagreb and online.
Hackathon participants in Croatia and 9 other countries across Europe was working on the development of conceptual solutions for one of the challenges of their choice:
- Safe passage at sea – solutions that will enable boats and fishing boats to sail safely across the sea.
- Life on land – solutions that will make it easier for people, plants, and animals to adapt to climate change.
- Animal care – solutions that will help protect the biodiversity and natural habitats of wildlife.
The organizer of the CASSINI Hackathon in Croatia was INVENTO Capital Partners with partners: Bird Incubator, European Space Agency Business Incubation Center Austria, Science Park Graz, University of Zagreb, Lean StartUp Croatia, Croatian Office for Creativity and Innovation, Croatian Crisis Management Association. During the hackathon, teams had excellent mentors at their disposal, as well as EU Space Data such as Copernicus, Galileo, and EGNOS.
The three selected teams WeeSea, Miffy the Ship, and icePass received a cash prize of 1,000 euros and the opportunity to participate in the EU pre-incubation program Space Hubs Network awarded by ESA BIC Austria. One of them, WeeSea - An Arctic tracking system that helps vessels make the right decisions at key moments, represented Croatia on the 2nd CASSINI Hackathon.
Read more: WeeSea predstavljao Hrvatsku na 2. CASSINI Hackathonu
