Hackathon: Sustainable startups
BIO-RED Hackathons are innovation workshops that bring together people with different skills, backgrounds and perspectives to address real-life challenges in biotechnology and health innovation across Europe.
The goal is not to build a finished product in a few days. Instead, participants collaborate to combine knowledge, experience and ideas in order to develop innovative solutions and explore new opportunities for collaboration.
Participants work in multidisciplinary teams alongside experts, companies, researchers and innovation professionals. Through facilitated workshops, teams analyse the challenge, develop potential solutions, assess their commercial and societal potential, and ultimately present their ideas to an expert jury panel.
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Experts are invited to mentor and guide teams throughout the event, while participants join a newly formed team and contribute their skills and perspectives. You do not need to have a company or a fully developed idea to take part. Curiosity, collaboration and a willingness to contribute are the most important qualifications.
Possibility of paid travel expenses
In addition to Denmark, the BIO-RED consortium includes partners from Portugal, Lithuania, Greece, Bulgaria, France and Sweden.
Participants representing one of these partner countries may be eligible to apply for travel support to help cover expenses related to participation in the hackathon.
Prizes for the winners
The most promising teams will have the opportunity to advance to the BIO-RED Accelerator Programme, an eight-month business acceleration programme valued at more than €9,000.
The programme includes tailored mentoring, expert support, international networking opportunities and access to the wider BIO-RED innovation ecosystem. It culminates in summer 2027 with a live event in Portugal, where participating teams will present their solutions to an international jury.
Program
Day 1, Monday | 10.00 – 15.00
Welcome and introduction
Introduction to the challenge, objectives, and hackathon format.
Team formation and challenge exploration
Participants meet, exchange perspectives, and begin defining the challenge and potential opportunities.
Collaborative business case development
Teams work on developing solution concepts with support from experts and mentors.
Day 2, Tuesday | 8.30 – 14.00
Networking breakfast
Informal networking and team preparation.
Solution refinement and mentoring
Teams further develop their business cases and prepare key messages.
Team presentations
Presentation of business case concepts and discussion with experts and jury.
Wrap-up and next steps
Summary of outcomes, networking opportunities, and information on follow-up activities.
Read more about the BIO-RED project
The hackathon is held in collaboration with REBBLs and Synapse
The project is funded by the European Union.