Hackathon ASI

The hackathon is designed to turn ideas into concrete projects. Working in interdisciplinary teams, participants apply design thinking and rapid prototyping to real challenges in the space economy — building technical and digital skills, developing critical thinking, and learning to present their work to an audience.

But the experience goes beyond the individual: participants will have the opportunity to network with companies, universities and institutions, with the best projects having the concrete potential to evolve into startups or incubation pathways.

The initiative aims to engage up to 80 university students from across disciplines : Engineering, Economics, Design, Social Sciences. Applications are evaluated with deliberate attention to disciplinary diversity: the goal is to form heterogeneous teams, designing innovative solutions that connect space technologies to everyday life on Earth.

> The Hackathon is open to students and recent graduates enrolled at or newly graduated from public, private, and international universities based in Italy.

Three challenge tracks. Each grounded in real applications of space technology:

• A) Space for Earth - Sustainability & Environment

Satellite data applied to environmental monitoring, climate response and planetary protection.
 

• B) Space Economy- Business & Innovation

Scalable business models built on space infrastructure and downstream applications.
 

• C) Beyond Exploration - Society & New Frontiers

Cross-pollination between disciplines and industries to unlock new opportunities: from space technologies to life on Earth, and vice versa.

Candidates are invited to submit a short profile including their academic background and personal motivation.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, in order of receipt, up to a maximum of 80 participants.

The call is open to students from all universities, as well as recent graduates within one year of completing their degree.
The official working language of the event is English.

> Applications must be submitted through the official channel no later than 17 July 2026.

APPLY NOW

Phase 1: Launch — Day 1

• Introduction to the challenges in a dedicated space
• Initial mentoring with experts to guide participants through the proposed themes
• Formation of heterogeneous groups
• Start of the design marathon

Phase 2: Development — Day 2

• Teams at work inside the expo
• Use of stands, interactive areas and available resources
• Refinement and prototyping of projects

Phase 3: Orientation and closing session — Day 3

• Participants will engage with BEX — Beyond Exploration Expo events and join a Q&A with leading companies for professional orientation and career development.
• Award ceremony for the best projects

12 June 2026
Call opens: Applications from university students across Italy.

July 2026

The application window is open until 17 July 2026. Confirmation to all participants admitted at the end of the month. 

August – September 2026
Preparation: Selected participants receive technical briefs, challenge datasets and background materials.

23 – 25 September 2026
Event: Rimini Expo Centre.

October – November 2026
Follow-up: Evaluation of incubation pathways and partnership opportunities.