A 48-hour event bringing together brilliant minds to solve challenges provided by companies.
With expert mentors, data, and the opportunity to win amazing prizes, this is a can't-miss opportunity for anyone looking to make a difference and test yourself.
If something is worth doing, it’s worth doing together. By collaborating with people who complement us, we can reach further, learn faster, and do better. With others, we can solve challenges no one could face alone.
We think making the world a better place is worth doing. So let’s do it together.
Solve the SDGs is a hackathon where we work together towards a better tomorrow by creating solutions for reaching the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. This year, Solve the SDGs is organized simultaneously in Finland, Uganda, and Tanzania, enabling intercontinental collaboration and new perspectives to familiar challenges.
Together with bright minds from all over the world, expert mentors, and sufficient data, we can take a step or two toward a better future. We’re all going to live in it, after all.
SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)
The Sustainable Development Goals by the United Nations offer a blueprint for achieving a more sustainable future. The 17 different goals address the most severe challenges our world is facing. Solving these goals requires balancing social, economic and environmental sustainability - and some great innovations from all over the world.
Aalto University is the first Finnish university to sign universities’ global Sustainability Development Goals Accord committing to advance the SDGs as part of teaching, research, innovation activities, and campus development.
For this event, we require a physical presence at one of our hubs. Online participation is not possible.
Finland
Uganda
Tanzania
Main Prize
3000 € & Golden Ticket to Junction The Golden Ticket includes: - Automatic acceptance to world's leading hackathon, Junction 2023 in Helsinki, Finland - Full accommodation provided by Junction - An exclusive tour to the Junction & Startup Sauna HQ - Junction's champions dinner for the winning teams - Travel grant (max. 200 € per team, depending on where team is from)
Who can participate?
The hackathon is open for participants from all backgrounds; no prior hacking experience is necessary. Since we’re not looking for technical submissions only — anyone can play a part in solving these problems. As long as you’re a team player who thinks the world could be a better place, you’re more than welcome to join!
What is a hackathon?
A hackathon is a fast-paced event, where participants team up to create solutions and concepts from scratch in a short amount of time, addressing current problems. There are hackathons of various lengths and types, but one common characteristic of them is, that they are centered around a specific theme.
For example, Solve the SDGs focuses on sparking solutions to tackle the challenges on our way to reach the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations.
Do I need a team to participate?
You can sign up as an individual or as a ready team of up to 5 members. If you sign up on your own, you can find a team on the first hackathon day at team building.
What kind of solutions are accepted?
We’re not looking for technical submissions only and your solution could be for example a concept, app idea, product or platform - basically anything as long as it contributes to the chosen challenge and the matching SDG! Each team will pitch their final ideas with two-minute videos on the final day.
How does a hybrid hackathon work?
For the full hackathon experience you can join us on the Aalto University campus at Startup Sauna in Espoo, Finland. Meet up with other hackers, enjoy the atmosphere and complimentary hacking snack!
But if you can’t join us physically, you can join us from anywhere as long as you have a computer with an internet connection. We also recommend having headphones at hand for smooth communication with the team. Participants will receive a more detailed guide on the practicalities prior to the event. Since everything happens online, you do not need to be in any specific place to join. However, do note that all the program times are in Eastern European Summer Time (EEST, UTC+3)
Who can participate?
The hackathon is open for participants from all backgrounds; no prior hacking experience is necessary. Since we’re not looking for technical submissions only — anyone can play a part in solving these problems. As long as you’re a team player who thinks the world could be a better place, you’re more than welcome to join!
What is a hackathon?
A hackathon is a fast-paced event, where participants team up to create solutions and concepts from scratch in a short amount of time, addressing current problems. There are hackathons of various lengths and types, but one common characteristic of them is,that they are centered around a specific theme.
For example, Solve the SDGs focuses on sparking solutions to tackle the challenges on our way to reach the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations.
Do I need a team to participate?
You can sign up as an individual or as a ready team of up to 5 members. If you sign up on your own, you can find a team on the first hackathon day at team building.
What kind of solutions are accepted?
We’re not looking for technical submissions only and your solution could be for example a concept, app idea, product or platform - basically anything as long as it contributes to the chosen challenge and the matching SDG! Each team will pitch their final ideas with two-minute videos on the final day.
How does a hybrid hackathon work?
For the full hackathon experience you can join us on the Aalto University campus at Startup Sauna in Espoo, Finland. Meet up with other hackers, enjoy the atmosphere and complimentary hacking snack!
But if you can’t join us physically, you can join us from anywhere as long as you have a computer with an internet connection. We also recommend having headphones at hand for smooth communication with the team. Participants will receive a more detailed guide on the practicalities prior to the event. Since everything happens online, you do not need to be in any specific place to join. However, do note that all the program times are in Eastern European Summer Time (EEST, UTC+3).
FAQ
What is a hackathon? A hackathon is a fast-paced event, where participants team up to create solutions andconcepts from scratch in a short amount of time, addressing current problems. Thereare hackathons of various lengths and types, but one common characteristic of them is,that they are centered around a specific theme. For example, Solve the SDGs focuses onsparking solutions to tackle the challenges on our way to reach the SustainableDevelopment Goals set by the United Nations.
Who can participate? The hackathon is open for participants from all backgrounds; no prior hacking experience is necessary. Since we’re not looking for technical submissions only — anyone can play a part in solving these problems. As long as you’re a team player who thinks the world could be a better place, you’re more than welcome to join!
Do I need a team to participate? You can sign up as an individual or as a ready team of up to 5 members. If you sign up on your own, you can find a team on the first hackathon day at team building.
What kind of solutions are accepted? We’re not looking for technical submissions only and your solution could be for example a concept, app idea, product or platform - basically anything as long as it contributes to the chosen challenge and the matching SDG! Each team will pitch their final ideas with two-minute videos on the final day.
Credits for students
While solving some of the world’s most pressing problems, you can also earn 1 ECT credit from Solve the SDGs. Win-win!
Students of Aalto University Aalto students can earn one credit in the form of the course TU-E4011 High Growth Entrepreneurship with varying content. To earn the credit, use the Yoop-tool (available in Finnish https://yoop.fi/testaa-yrittajyytesi/ and English https://yoop.fi/en/self-assesment/) to validate your learning. In the free text fields, tell about your experience at Solve the SDGs and use examples from the event with 2-3 chapters of text per question — this basically works as an essay divided into sections. Download your results as a pdf and send it to Lauri Järvilehto (lauri.jarvilehto@aalto.fi) by May 4th, 5 pm.
Other students We cannot guarantee credits to other than Aalto University students. Students outside Aalto University can negotiate for it with their own educational institute. The Yoop-tool (available in Finnish https://yoop.fi/testaa-yrittajyytesi/ and English https://yoop.fi/en/self-assesment/) can be used to validate your learning, and the results can be used to demonstrate your entrepreneurial competence. Please be in touch with your own professor to agree on practicalities.
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