Hackathon Builder Challenge: Europe Industrial Renaissance and Sovereignty
HackSummit Builder Challenge 2026
Build the Future of Industrial Renaissance and Sovereignty.
⚡️ 18 hours. 1 Challenge. 3 tracks. 1 shot to build something concrete.
The HackSummit Builder Challenge is a deep tech hackathon for engineers, scientists, builders and creatives who want to work on problems that actually matter.
On April 22, teams tackle real industrial challenges at the intersection of AI, supply chain and manufacturing.
The top 5 teams return April 23 to pitch live on the HackSummit main stage, in front of 500+ founders, investors and operators.
🎯 THE CHALLENGE: PROVE
Industrial components, recycled materials, critical minerals, natural resources: the physical world runs on trust claims that are often hard to verify.
Where was this critical mineral mined and processed? Is this material really 40% recycled? Is this product compliant to sustainability regulations?
PROVE challenges builders to make the invisible visible. Using physical and digital identification & authentication technologies, sensing systems or AI, teams will build prototypes that turn unverifiable claims into tamper-resistant proof, across critical minerals, natural resources, ethical and recycling/upcycling supply chains.
Exact Tracks will be revealed on Friday.
👩💻 🧑💻WHO: Engineers, scientists, designers, builders, economists and researchers at any level. Whether you come with a team or solo, you are welcome. One week before the event, you'll get access to a team-matching session on Builderbase to connect with other participants and find your crew before April 22.
All profiles are welcome. If you're unsure about your skills, you'll have the opportunity to connect with other Hackers one week before the event to pitch your skills and connect with other teammates.
❓ WHAT: 3 tracks to structure your ideas - (announced soon)
🤖 APRIL 22 — BUILD DAY (all teams)
08:00 : Doors open. Badge collection, challenge brief reveal per track.
09:00 : Hacking begins. Mentors on-site per track.
13:00 : Lunch. Mid-day mentor check-in — 5 min per team, informal feedback only.
17:00 : Submission deadline on Builderbase. All teams pitch to jury: 3 min + 2 min Q&A.
18:30 : Top 3 announced live at HackSummit networking drinks. 3 finalists per track revealed.
19:00 : Celebration. Non-finalists receive free Day 2 summit pass on the spot.
🎤 APRIL 23 — FINALS DAY (top finalists only)
09:00 : Finalists arrive. Dedicated workspace + 1:1 mentor polish sessions per team.
12:00 : Lunch. Submission lock — no further changes to prototype after this point.
14:00 : Final pitches: 5 min + 3 min jury Q&A. Open to all HackSummit Day 2 attendees.
16:00 : Jury deliberation. Sponsor networking.
16:30 : Winners announced on main stage.
Location Lausanne — Beaulieu, Halle 36
🎟 Places are limited. Apply individually or as a team of up to 4.
The winning team will get :
3 months free credits on Lovable
1-1 intro to jury and mentors (founders, investors, corporates)
Visibility on HackSummit media platform (35K)
Questions? [email protected]
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