CleanTech Hackathon

Corporate Open Innovation for Energy and Sustainability Challenges
23-24 May 2025 @ Energy Expo
Laminor Arena, Bucharest

FOR ENERGY INNOVATORS COMMUNITY in Romania, Republic of Moldova & South-East European markets

Integrative part of the SEE CleanTech Nexus Program

The first cleantech Corporate Open Innovation hackathon in SEE dedicated to innovations in energy & sustainability: 100+ participants, 40 teams, one international community

The hackathon is an integrative part of the anual CleanTech Nexus Program and the starting point for the startups, researchers and technology providers in the interaction with the corporate energy POC's & acceleration processes

One weekend, full of mentoring, matchmakings and technology validation with our international mentors and experts in energy & sustainability

Recognition and validation in front of SEE’s leading energy and sustainability community, including corporate professionals, researchers, and investors

Awards totaling €22.000

And because competitive teams with innovative products & sollutions deserve recognition, here’s what the top teams will take home:

1st place

€5,000 cash

2nd place

€3,000 cash

3rd place

€2,000 cash

Corporate PoC's

6 Categories

Special Mentions

6 Classes

Tech & Services

€12,000

MAIN PARTNERS

Platinum Partner

Challenge Partner

Challenge Partner

Challenge Partner

TECHNOLOGY & RESEARCH PARTNERS

STRATEGIC PARTNERS

Communication Partners

Food & Beverages Partners

Open Challenges from the energy corporate community of partners in SEE

As electricity grids become increasingly complex due to the integration of renewable energy sources, electric vehicles, and distributed energy sources (DERs), managing congestion in distribution networks has become a critical challenge for Distribution Operators.

With the rapid growth of prosumers (clients who both consume and produce energy, often via solar PVs), energy supply companies are facing increasing difficulty in obtaining standardized, real-time energy flow data.

The lack of interoperability between diverse inverter models and platforms limits the visibility suppliers, DSOs, and TSOs have over distributed production and consumption patterns.

Energy transition requires massive investments in renewable assets such as solar parks, wind farms and battery storage (BESS). 

At the same time, energy consumers are increasingly looking for ways to participate in the green transition beyond consumption. 

This challenge seeks to create a digital platform that enables supply clients to co-invest in renewable projects, democratizing asset ownership and aligning customer engagement with sustainability goals.

As electric mobility infrastructure expands in urban areas, operators face rising pressure to balance resource allocation, infrastructure deployment, and energy consumption all while maintaining cost-efficiency and high service availability. 

This challenge aims to develop adaptive, data-driven algorithms for optimizing EV charger usage across city zones, using synthetic or anonymized datasets to model various deployment scenarios.

We are interested in a Digital Twin solution primarily for predictive maintenance, and also for cybersecurity.

  • Ensuring data governance, integrating multiple sources (ETL), analysis and reporting (Business Intelligence) – implement a platform that offers capabilities for Data Governance, Data Integration, ETL (Extract, Transform, Load), and Reporting.
  • An AI Agent with LLM (Large Language Model) capabilities to streamline work with the large volume of documents (HR, Procurement, Engineering, Maintenance, etc.).
  • An AI-based solution to assist with its Corrective Action Program (CAP) and Work Management (WM) processes.
  • Automating processes in energy, natural gas, and nuclear storage facilities.
  • Managing visitors and contractors in energy and nuclear facilities – a solution to automate the workflows for granting access to facilities, noting that these flows are specific and involve multiple steps and document types.

Automating the inspection process of overhead power lines using drones and flight software in semi-automatic or automatic conditions (VLOS/BVLOS). 

At the same time using Artificial Intelligence, collected data should be analysed and interpreted in order to identify defects.

As the number of prosumers increases in the low voltage grid and consumption profiles change significantly based on weather the need for AI driven forecasting for day ahead regarding production and consumption becomes a critical challenge for Distribution Operators.

The solutions should reduce false alarms, decrease cyber data storage volume, and enable terabyte-scale analysis with reduced computing resources.

Why should you join the Open Innovation Process?

As a Startup founder, ScaleUp, tech R&D team or scientist join for deep
critical thinking
in the clean energy innovation tech sector to reach faster validation & growth

To support your product GoToMarket, raise the interest of energy corporate clients and get on stage, in the media and in front of VC investors and business angels

Connect & collaborate with the leading clean energy companies in SEE with activities in energy production (electric, gas, nuclear, renewables), distribution, electric mobility

Ideal Participants

You can join as a Company, Team or Individual

Startups & Entrepreneurs,
with new ideas in the spectrum of energy & sustainability disciplines

ScaleUps and Tech Companies with a products and sollutions ready to transform the energy sector

Experts & Energy innovators, particularly those drawn to the science and technology of cleantech

Builders & researchers, with a focus on practical applications

Science enthusiasts, regardless of their professional background

Jury and mentors: corporate professionals, researchers, investors

Special Mention Categories

The finalists will be reviewed by an executive committee composed of invitees from the Romanian Ministry of Energy, hackathon partners, and industry experts.
Each finalist project will be evaluated by all executive judges. Based on their individual assessments,the committee will nominate teams for one of the 3 main awards, the  following special mention categories. At the level of the CleanTech Nexus Program we will follow up with the top performing teams for POC’s opportunities and business acceleration.  

Best Use of Science

The solution that makes the best and most valid use of science and/or the scientific method.

Best Use of Data

The solution that best makes data accessible, or leverages it to a unique application.

Best Use of Technology

The solution that exemplifies the most innovative use of technology.

Most Inspirational

The solution that captures our hearts.

Best Storytelling Award

The most creative communication of the potential of open data through the art of storytelling.

Local Impact Award

The solution that demonstrates the greatest potential for local impact.

Benefits for Partners

Tech Scouting

Identify emerging energy technologies and trends (renewables, smart grids, energy efficiency, customer solutions)

PoC Validation

Test internal innovation concepts via participant challenges, refining strategies and prioritizing program projects. Explore promising hackathon solutions.

Partnerships & Collaboration

Engage and find potential partners among the participants

Talent Acquisition

Discover and recruit skilled candidates for internships or employment

Innovation Ecosystem

Build a vibrant energy innovation ecosystem, supporting open innovation and enhancing your corporate reputation.

Knowledge Development

Gain new insights and enrich internal expertise and skills

Brand Visibility

Elevate your company’s innovation programs and highlight its commitment to cutting-edge advancements

Join the hackathon and engage with
the innovators community

A selection of our mentors

Project Timeline

Apr 16
Registration launch.
1
Apr 16
Apr 03 - May 19
Ongoing registration, team networking, and participant guidance
2
Apr 03 - May 19
May 20
Pre-hackathon event (info session, mentor introductions, networking).
3
May 20
May 23 - 24
Hackathon: Coding, mentoring by Tehcelerator experts, final project submissions, judging, awards ceremony, closing event.
4
May 23 - 24
May 26 - June 27
Post-hackathon follow-up, POCs exploration, feedback collection, promotion of winning projects
5
May 26 - June 27
Ongoing
Support partner collaboration with winning teams/projects
6
Ongoing

Agenda

Day 1: Friday, May 23, 2025
09:30 - 10:30

Registration & Welcome.

Participants check in, enjoy refreshments, and network.

10:30 - 11:30

Opening Event.

Welcome speech by organizers and partners, introduction of challenges and prizes.

11:30 - 12:30

Challenge Briefing & Insights

Partner experts present details of each challenge.

12:30

Hacking Begins!

Teams start working on their projects. 

15:00 - 20:00

Hacking & Mentorship 

Teams work intensively. Mentors provide guidance.

Parallel Sessions & Hacking — Workshops on startup development, energy, and cleantech. Hacking continues.

20:00

First submision

Dinner & Networking — Relax, connect, and share insights.

Day 2: Saturday, May 24, 2025
08:30 - 10:00

Breakfast & Networking

Teams prepare for the final stretch.

10:00 - 12:00

Innovation Labs & Hacking

Workshops, and final coding refinement with mentor support.

12:00 - 13:00

Final Hacking & Submission 

Teams finalize projects and submit code and presentations.

13:00 - 14:00

Lunch Break & Networking

16:00 - 18:00

Awards & Closing Ceremony

Winners announced, prizes awarded, and closing remarks.

14:00 - 16:00

Pitch & Jury Deliberation

Teams pitch their solutions to the judges for review.