2025 EU|BIC Award finalist: Greece-Türkiye Hackathon 2024-2025

The Greece-Türkiye Hackathon 2024-2025 is an innovative initiative designed to foster cross-border collaboration, embodying a mantra of Together for a Sustainable Future.

Organised by EU|BIC Associates Bilişim Vadisi & Athens Startup Business Incubator (Th.E.A), this hackathon brings together innovators aged 18-35 from Greece and Türkiye. Focusing on smart cities, the hackathon addresses common challenges such as sustainable urban mobility, waste management, disaster prevention, and energy-efficient infrastructures. This initiative received valuable support from local and national authorities and chambers of commerce to ensure a broad impact.

The hackathon is designed as a replicable model for other regions, with clear guidelines and milestones for organising similar events.

The initiative aims to tackle shared challenges between Greece and Türkiye, such as urbanisation, climate change, and resource constraints. The resulting projects were innovative and highly applicable to both countries, as well as the wider region. By promoting shared understanding and creative exchange, this structure amplified the potential of each team to create solutions for global sustainability issues.

• Reach: 553 four-person teams applied to the hackathon, totalling 2,212 applicants. 20 teams from each country were selected and paired based on areas of focus, forming 20 teams of 8 mixed-nationality participants.

• Cross-Border Collaboration: One of the greatest social impacts of the programme was its ability to bring together Greek and Turkish youth to collaborate and gain a deeper understanding of mutual problems. As teams worked together, they developed long-lasting connections, contributing to greater understanding and friendship between the two nations.

• Mentorship & Incubation: The hackathon employed a highly innovative multi-format approach, integrating tools and methodologies that allowed a flexible yet structured learning environment. Each team was assigned dedicated mentorship, benefiting from personalised guidance. Additionally, participants could schedule appointments with other mentors in various fields, expanding their pool of expertise. Winning teams were awarded with a six-month incubation opportunity at either Bilişim Vadisi or Athens Startup Business Incubator, providing continued access to workspace, expert support, and networking. Furthermore, the top three teams received financial prizes to develop their projects further, reinforcing the hackathon’s role in transforming ideas into viable ventures.

One standout project, EcoMaris, aimed to decarbonise marinas by integrating wave energy and carbon capture technologies. By leveraging the six-month incubation support provided through the hackathon, EcoMaris is refining its business model and preparing to scale. After the hackathon, EcoMaris received invaluable mentorship, securing investment interest from a major Greek paint company and forming partnerships with marina operators. This demonstrates the hackathon’s ability to connect young innovators with key stakeholders, turning ideas into actionable solutions. The team is currently evaluating whether to launch the project in Greece or Türkiye, based on the most favourable market conditions for initial deployment.