From May 18 to 19, a wood technology hackathon will be held in person at the premises of Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences. Over 24 hours, participants will work to develop new solutions to challenges faced by the industry across three thematic verticals.
Entrepreneurs, students, researchers, and industry representatives are invited to apply for the hackathon. Participants will compete for the opportunity to join an experience exchange trip to Norway, as well as other prizes.
“This year, in our third wood technology hackathon, we want to deepen collaboration with the industry by bringing together specialists from different fields and woodworking industry professionals to jointly tackle challenges and create innovative products. To motivate the teams, we plan to provide advisory support for the further development of their projects,” says Laima Engere-Levina, the director of the Vidzeme Business Centre.
Participants can apply by May 15 by registering online. During the hackathon, teams—formed either in advance or on-site on the opening day—will work with mentors to generate ideas and solutions within the following three verticals:
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Digitalization and optimization of existing industry processes, inviting ideas related to digital tools and processes for addressing current industry challenges, including data collection, analysis, and new processes for monitoring and implementing trends and innovations.
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Development of new, innovative products and/or materials, encouraging ideas that explore new potential future materials and products, improve the quality and offerings of current industry services, or transform existing products to meet future demand.
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Sustainability and the circular economy, seeking ideas that activate circular economy trends within the industry—such as processing by-products, repurposing construction materials, or implementing various sustainability-driven practices.
The hackathon serves as an idea sprint that lasts 24 hours during which prototype solutions are developed with the potential for real-world implementation. Individuals may apply, with or without an idea, or join as pre-formed teams; individual applicants will be grouped into teams on-site at the opening. The winning team will earn a chance to participate in an experience exchange trip to Norway, in addition to other motivating prizes.
We especially invite professionals from wood construction and woodworking industries, students, IT specialists, engineers and other interested parties or industry activists to participate. Companies are also welcome to take part by offering employee teams for developing innovative solutions, or by contributing as project partners—such as providing mentors or experts for the hackathon.
Entrepreneurs whose ideas are developed during the hackathon, and winners awarded the Norway trip, will receive de minimis support.
The hackathon will be held in Latvian.
It is organized by the Vidzeme Planning Region as part of the “Entrepreneurship Support Measures in the Vidzeme Planning Region” project, funded under the EEA Financial Instrument 2014–2021, within the program “Local Development, Poverty Reduction and Cultural Cooperation.” The event is organized in collaboration with Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, the Vidzeme Technology and Design Technical College, and the innovation management firm Helve.
