Science and talent come together at ALBA Synchrotron to solve tech challenges in 48 hours
Next October 16th and 17th 2025, the Cerdanyola del Vallès City Hall, the UAB Research Park, and the ALBA Synchrotron, with the support of Diputació de Barcelona, are jointly organising the ALBA Hackathon, a pioneer initiative that connects science, talent, and businesses to solve technological challenges in the fields of water, plastics, and energy.
During two intense days, teams formed by students, researchers, and professionals will work collaboratively to find innovative solutions to real challenges planned by the collaborative businesses: Acciona, Applus+, Dentaid, Ercros. The three winning projects will have the chande to recieve an assessment by the ALBA Synchrotron, followed by a viability studio, and finally the free implementation of their project to the ALBA Synchrotron facilities.
"ALBA Hackathon is a unique opportunity to bring closer scientific knowledfe to the real challenges of the industry and promote open innovation research environment of excellence", declares Júlia Palma, coordinator of the PRUAB Unit of Entrepreneurship and Territory. It is the UAB Research Park that leads the resolution of the proposed challenges.
The event is planned as a two-day immersive experience, where participants will solve real industry challenges, incorporating the use of synchrotron light in their proposed solutions and with an implementation plan in the business environement. It is open to all Spanish student body, either from FP, university degree, master's, and PhD and research personnel, as well as Cerdanyola del Vallès citizens.
The event is divided in two days. A first day where businesses will introduce their challenges, assign teams and challenges by team. Businesses will also have meetings with each teams to discuss more information on the challenge in question, as well as a visit to the ALBA Synchrotron and a "Speed Innovation Dating (SID)", an activity where businesses in Cerdanyola will have 5-minute meetings with students and professionals, with the goal of creating synergies, scouting talent, etc. On the second day, the day will be focused on challenge solving. The participants will begin with the resolution of challenges from 8:30am to 4pm, when the final presentations of the projects will begin, followed by the award ceremony.
Registration for participants and companies is now open on the event website.
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