HACKATHONS
Fast-paced, team-based problem-solving events for students and innovators
Organised by: North Savo Entrepreneurship Society
Picture This
A weekend, a blank whiteboard, a room full of people who don't know each other yet - and by Sunday night, working prototypes nobody thought they'd pull off. That's a hackathon. You show up with an idea, or you show up with nothing and find a team on the spot. Either way, the clock starts and you build - fast, scrappy, no time for overthinking. Mentors wander the room to help when you're stuck. By the end, you're pitching something real to a panel of judges, standing next to people you met two days ago. You don't need to be a coder, a designer, or have it all figured out. Most people leave with more than a prototype - new skills, new friends, and sometimes the beginning of an actual company.
TEAM UP
Form a team on the spot or bring your own - no experience required to join
BUILD
Work through the challenge with mentors on hand, from idea to working prototype
PITCH
Present your build to a panel of judges and your fellow participants
WIN
Compete for prizes, recognition, and a shot at taking your idea further
72-hour traffic challenge 2026
November 2-5, 2026
The winning team of the competition will be awarded a two-day Liveable Cities study trip to Copenhagen.
72-Hour Traffic Challenge 2026 is a four-day hackathon in Kuopio (November 2–5, 2026) focused on urban development and traffic, where student teams design solutions to real-world problems. It is organized by the City of Kuopio, the University of Eastern Finland, Savonia University of Applied Sciences and Ramboll Finland.
Teams work on a challenge topic announced at the opening, develop their solution over 72 hours, and present it to a jury. The winning team receives a two-day Liveable Cities study trip to Copenhagen in early 2027, with travel, accommodation, transfers and meals covered by Ramboll Group.
Who can participate?
The challenge is open to students of the University of Eastern Finland and Savonia University of Applied Sciences, from any field of study and any year.
Registration is required in advance. The organizers assemble the teams, aiming for a mix of students from different fields. The main language is Finnish, but all materials are also provided in English, so international students are welcome.
How does it work?
- The challenge topic is announced on Monday, November 2 at the opening
- Teams develop their solution over 72 hours, with reserved workspaces at Savonia UAS, sparring sessions and practice presentations along the way
- A 1–2 page written statement and a PowerPoint presentation are submitted by Thursday, November 5 at 8:00
- Teams present their work at Kuopio City Hall on the morning of November 5
- A jury led by a City of Kuopio representative scores the entries
- The winning team receives the Copenhagen study trip
Savo Hack
October 3-4, 2026
Venue: Campus Heart, Savonia UAS, Kuopio
Theme/Challenge: IT/ICT
Prizes: €1000 per challenge
Savo Hack is North Savo Entrepreneurship Society’s first hackathon — a 24-hour, non-stop event where teams solve real business challenges submitted by regional companies.
Each challenge is provided by a partner company. Teams have 24 hours to develop their solution and pitch it to the partner’s judges. The winning team of each challenge receives a €1,000 prize funded by the challenge partner.
Who participated?
We had nearly 50 registered competitors, 13 teams pitching, one challenge, a lot of laughter, hard work and dozens of energy drinks.. and 1000€ for the winner
How did it work?
- Partner companies bring real business challenges
- Teams choose a challenge and develop a solution over 24 hours
- Solutions are submitted at the end of the hacking period
- Teams pitch their solutions to partner judges
- Each challenge partner selects a winner
- The winning team received €1,000
The first confirmed challenge partner is One Lion Company.
Hacklab Challenge
Coming Soon
Dates: TBA
Venue: Kaivotie 38, 70700 Kuopio
Theme/Challenge: TBA
Who can join: Open to all, teams of 2-3
Prizes: €1000 prize pool
Hacklab Challenge is a 2-day hackathon specifically designed for our partner – Hacklab Kuopio, hosted directly inside the Hacklab Kuopio makerspace, where you will team up to solve a real-world operational challenge for the local community. This is your chance to research, prototype, and pitch practical solutions while exploring Hacklab’s facilities and networking with fellow local builders, developers, and designers.
