Empowering Ukrainian innovation: Hardware hackathon drives recovery solutions
The background:
Supported by the USAID Competitive Economy Program in Ukraine (USAID CEP), Civitta and IRON Tech Cluster organized a 48-hour hackathon focused on developing innovative hardware solutions for Ukraine’s recovery.
The event brought together professionals and experts from diverse fields, including startups, businesses, students, developers, engineers, and activists, who worked on projects in robotics, energy sustainability, medical technologies, and other innovative solutions.
Aim of the project:
Hardware for Recovery hackathon became a platform where hardware teams could enhance their business capabilities through intensive mentorship and specialized workshops.
While teams already had working prototypes, the event focused on providing them with essential business knowledge – from marketing strategies and business modelling, to effective pitching techniques. This unique approach helped technical teams develop crucial soft skills needed for market success.
Services provided:
- Creation of unique branding and visual identity for the hackathon.
- Design and execution of a comprehensive three-day hackathon program.
- Engagement of over 25 experts serving as mentors, lead mentors, and workshop speakers.
- Development and implementation of a communication strategy for open call and solution scouting.
- Building partnerships to provide additional prizes, expert support, and media coverage.
- Organization of the final pitch event with project presentations for the jury panel.
Project result:
The result includes:
- 132 applications received across different categories
- 27 teams worked on projects during the hackathon
- Over 152 participants joined the event
- Winners selected in several nominations with a prize fund of 100,000 UAH
The winning solutions included:
- 1st Place: Touch Vision – A comprehensive system designed to improve users’ visual-motor skills and reaction time.
- 2nd Place: Allbionics – A 100% Ukrainian-made bionic hand and forearm prosthesis.
- 3rd Place: HowCow – A device and CRM system for enhancing farm productivity
Testimonial:
“The grant of 50,000 UAH will allow us to improve our product and implement the first steps of its deployment. These are real changes that will make our work more efficient and help make patient care more accessible and of higher quality,” said Anfisa Uryvkova, a member of the Touch Vision team.
Collaborating partners
These organizations have played a vital role in making this project a reality, contributing their expertise, resources, and support to ensure its success.
