
innovation and
entrepreneurship
From developers to entrepreneurs and from designers to scientists: everyone from ages 18 and up are welcome to build a solution to world problems with space based technologies during the Copernicus Hackathon in Leiden.
Save the world with space tech like Earth Observation. Join us 12 & 13 September in Leiden. 60 bright minds, 30 hour, 1 exciting hackathon!
A Copernicus Hackathon is not your average contest. This initiative, financed by the European Commission, aims to bring together all kinds of disciplines to develop new applications based on Copernicus Earth observation (EO) data and services. From developers to entrepreneurs and from designers to scientists: everyone with an ambitious mindset is welcome!
There are 10 Copernicus Hackathons each year, held throughout Europe. The unique thing about these events: they are truly unique. Why’s that? Well, that’s because every local organiser chooses its own format. We hope our program in The Netherlands will challenge you in ways it hasn’t done before!
This year, for a first, the hackathon is not limited to earth observation. We encourage to use EO in combination with other disciplines or space technology (like satellite navigation – GNSS). Because of the coronavirus, we need innovative ideas more than ever. So every addition to EO data or services is welcome!
There will be 2 online inspiration & information sessions prior to the hackathon – held July 30 and August 27. More info soon.
Desirability, feasibility, viability, delivery
You need to complete the sessions to move to the next!
An outline of the hackathon:
Day 1: 9:00 – 22.30: ideation, matchmaking, business building, workshops
22.30-08:00: developing
Day 2: 8:00 – 18:00: training, pitching, awards
The possibilities are endless with earth observation! Submit your business idea based on Copernicus data and/or services. The winner gets 500 euro.
COVID-19 CHALLENGE
This year an extra challenge will be held, focusing on solutions that will help humanity during a pandemic. The winner gets an extra 250 euro.
Use space data to make the world more inclusive and equal in all of its senses – irrespective of people’s sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. The winner gets an extra 250 euro.
There’s also a special reward to ideas that focus on the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations. The winner gets an extra 250 euro.
Because of the hybrid format, and the ‘logistic’ challenges of such an event, we decided to host an online info session. Join us to better prepare yourself and to ask all the questions you want.
500 euro for the winner, 250 for the challenge winners and runner-up of the hackathon
3 months subscription to the Copernicus data platform
Technical and marketing support by sobloo
Your idea will be promoted by the marketing machines of SBIC Noordwijk & sobloo
The winner is eligible for a free spot in SBIC Noordwijk’s pre-incubation program to ESA BIC, the Ignition Program. This will to help you shape your idea into a business. The runner-up gets a spot in the Venture Academy, the startup accelerator by PLNT Leiden
Free subscription to ‘Ruimtevaart’, the magazine of the Netherlands Space Society (NVR)
This Copernicus Hackathon 2020 will be held at PLNT Leiden, a vibrant and green co-working space near the train station of the wonderful city of Leiden. It has great capacity and facilities – and a rooftop garden. Some parts of the hackathon will also be held online.