Topics we invite you to Hack!

📚 Digital State Academy E-Learning Platform
Create the next generation of learning for the digital state!
Design an interactive and inspiring e-learning environment where current and future students can acquire the skills to elevate Estonia’s digital government.

📡 Internet of Things in the Public Sector
Connect the city, technology, and people!
Imagine a smart city where sensors and devices help the municipality think and breathe – prototype an IoT solution that brings smart tech into the everyday life of local governments.

🤖 Artificial Intelligence in Public Services
Give bureaucracy a brain and a heart!
Develop an AI-based assistant that makes government work smarter, faster and more citizen-friendly – from document management to decision-making support.

📊 Public Sector Data Marketplace
Turn data into a valuable asset!
Build a platform that allows institutions to securely and transparently share and reuse data – laying the foundation for smarter decision-making across Estonia.

🏃‍♂️ Sports and Hobby Education Platform – Tori Municipality
Help every child discover their passion!
Create a solution that helps youth and their families easily find, compare and register for extracurricular activities – one click and the next champion is on track!

📅 Deadline Manager for Guardians – Märjamaa Municipality
A digital guardian angel for those in need!
Develop an intuitive system that helps legal guardians manage important tasks and deadlines – all in one safe and secure place.

🛒 Smart Food Aid System – Ministry of Social Affairs
A new era of intelligent help!
Design a platform that makes food aid more personalized, efficient, and transparent – at the right time, for the right person, in the right amount, all fully automated.

🥦 Food Quality Database – Agriculture and Food Board
Bring trust to the table with every bite!
Create a system that gives both consumers and authorities instant access to food quality data – more transparency, fewer risks, better health.

📡 Real-Time Data Dashboard for Local Governments – Rae Municipality
Turn municipalities into data-driven superheroes!
Develop a tool that collects and displays real-time local data – helping decision-makers act based on facts, not just gut feeling.

🗣️ “Have Your Say!” Platform – Pärnu City Government
Involve every citizen in shaping the city’s future!
Build a digital discussion space where community members can share ideas, vote, and debate local development topics – making Pärnu and Estonia more open and participatory.

If you see an other interesting public sector problem to solve you are welcome to bring it!

Program Schedule

📍 Location: The hackathon will take place in person at the University of Tartu Delta Centre (Narva mnt 18, Tartu).

Hackathon Agenda (May 16-17, 2025)

Day 1 – Idea Generation & Team Formation

Day 2 – Solution Prototyping & Final Presentations

*The organizer reserves the right to make schedule adjustments before and during the event as needed and participants will be informed of any changes if necessary.

The Hackathon is for you if you are...

...an IT or technology enthusiast, a student from any field, a vocational school student, an entrepreneur or a public sector representative who is ready to contribute to developing practical solutions and sharing ideas.

What do you gain from participating in the hackathon?

• Develop your skills: Gain essential knowledge about entrepreneurship, innovation and problem-solving. Throughout the event, you'll learn to use tools necessary for successfully implementing your ideas.
• Hands-on experience: Work on real-world problems and create practical solutions. This valuable experience bridges the gap between theory and practice.
• Collaboration and networking: Meet like-minded people and connect with mentors.
• Expert feedback: Refine your ideas with guidance from experienced professionals. Mentorship and constructive feedback are key elements of the hackathon, helping participants grow and succeed.
• Prepare for market entry: Learn strategies for launching products successfully and engaging customers. Gain insights into market entry, customer development and product launch details.
• Recognition and rewards (or academic credits): Participants who successfully complete the hackathon will receive a participation certificate (and academic credits), proving their enhanced skills and knowledge.

Hackathon Outcomes

• Establish strong collaboration between challenge presenters, teams and entrepreneurs, ensuring mutual benefits for all parties.
• Present business models that address the given challenges.
• Develop clickable prototypes derived from the identified problems.

Registration for the Digital Nation Hackathon is open now!

Click here to sign up! Spots are limited so don't postpone your submission.

The winner(s) will receive a share of the €0000 prize pool, which will be announced soon.

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Tarmo Virki: Experienced media professional and a serial entrepreneur. With over 20 years of journalism and communications experience, Tarmo has worked for global outlets such as Reuters and Forbes, as well as several seed-stage startups.

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Raimundas Matulevičius - Professor of Information Security at the University of Tartu (Estonia). He leads the Information Security Research Group and his research focuses on secure business process management, risk management in blockchain applications, and data privacy and security. He is a principal researcher in international projects CHESS and CYBERCHALLENGE, which aim to advance cybersecurity development and education.

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Lauri Antalainen is the President of the Estonian Business Angels Network (EstBAN), an active angel investor, experienced business developer, and founder of Digiwise. His passions include business process optimization, artificial intelligence and digital business models. In recent years, he has focused on planning and leading digitalization and digital transformation projects, as well as advising on business strategy development.

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Kaido Irval has extensive experience in launching new products and services, budgeting, strategy development, representing companies at international trade fairs, building partner networks, and increasing revenue. His current clients include Phishbite and Bord and he has previously worked with Nutiteq (software development), SK ID Solutions (Mobile-ID and Smart-ID trusted services) and STACC (AI and data analytics).

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Marika Juusu has over 20 years of experience in marketing and sales. She has worked both as a marketing manager and a freelancer—focusing more on training in recent years, while always keeping her skills sharp with ongoing marketing projects. In collaboration with Veebimajutus, Marika has organized website creation workshops that have been attended by nearly 8000 participants.

To be added...

Liability & Data Protection

Responsibility:

By registering for and participating in the hackathon you confirm that you agree to these terms. Your personal data will be processed in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and the Council of October 23, 2018, concerning the protection of individuals regarding the processing of personal data by EU institutions, bodies, offices, and agencies, and the free movement of such data.

Data Collection & Processing:

Your personal data is collected via Forms and will be used to manage event participation, including informing participants before, during, and after the event for feedback purposes.

Data Retention:

Personal data will be stored as long as necessary for organizing the hackathon and collecting feedback. The data will be deleted within 24 months after the event.

Roles of Data Processors & Controllers:

The event organizers act as data processors, responsible for managing and coordinating the event. Your data will not be shared with third parties outside the organizing team or transferred outside the EU.

Data Protection & Rights:

You have the right to:

• Request information about the processing of your data
• Request correction or deletion of your data
• File a complaint with the data protection supervisory authority if needed

By confirming your participation, you agree that your data will be processed under these terms.

Intellectual Property

All submitted ideas and knowledge remain the intellectual property of their creators.

The hackathon results and ideas may be used for awareness activities to inspire the community, bring knowledge to businesses and the public sector and raise awareness of important topics.

Any usage will be done in a way that credits the original author and follows agreed-upon terms.

Media Recording & Usage

During the hackathon, we may capture photos, videos, and audio recordings. By participating, you agree that the event organizers and their partners may use these recordings for future events, promotional activities and marketing purposes. This may include using your image or voice on our website, social media platforms, printed materials, or presentations.

If you do not wish to be recorded or have restrictions on the use of your recordings, please inform us before the event starts.

Anneli Lorenz - anneli.lorenz@ut.ee

Märt Summatavet - mart.summatavet@ut.ee