What is Hackathon

So, what is a Hackathon?
A hackathon comes from the combination of the English words hacking (breaking through patterns of thinking) and marathon. It is a fast-paced, time-bound entrepreneurship event designed to encourage creative thinking and generate solutions to complex challenges faced by organizations, companies, and even countries.

At the end of the hackathon, a judging event takes place, where teams present an investor-style pitch (and a demo, if available) outlining the core elements of their venture’s development plan. The selected ventures are then advanced for further development and resource investment.

Our hackathon is the result of a collaboration between the daughters of Brigadier General Lior Boker, who perished in the Carmel disaster, a devastating wildfire in 2010, together with rescue organizations, environmental groups, and technology companies such as Google. For Lior Boker Hackathon website Click Here

Course Summary

A unique course that combines entrepreneurship, creativity, and social impact, held in memory of Brigadier General Lior Boker, who perished in the Carmel wildfire in 2010. The hackathon focuses on developing innovative solutions to challenges in the fields of environment, sustainability, and disaster prevention, in collaboration with rescue organizations, environmental groups, and leading technology companies.

Throughout the course, students participate in dedicated lectures and training sessions, work in multidisciplinary teams, and gain hands-on experience in an intensive, time-bound process culminating in an “investor pitch” presented before a professional judging panel. Outstanding ventures will have the opportunity to join an accelerator program and advance toward further development and investment.

The course emphasizes creative thinking, teamwork, technological innovation, and the drive to create meaningful social and environmental change.

About the Course

Event Goal:
The hackathon aims to address challenges in the fields of environment, sustainability, and disaster prevention.

How will the hackathon work?
The hackathon will take place as a national competition of ventures.

For University of Haifa students:

• Preparation Session: A preparatory lecture session will be held on Friday, April 25, from 8:00–14:00, at the ground floor of the Student Building, Mount Carmel campus.

• Hackathon Event: The hackathon will be held on Thursday, May 8, from 8:00–22:00, at the Tech&Talk complex, MATAM, Haifa.

• Final Celebration Event: The final event will take place on Friday, May 9, from 8:00–14:00, at the Tech&Talk complex, MATAM, Haifa.

Course Description

Grade:
The course is graded on a Pass/Fail basis. To receive a passing grade, students are required to attend both days in full, take an active part in the event, and participate in presenting the “investor pitch.”

Students who do not meet these requirements will not be eligible for a passing grade in the course.

Final Competition Winners:
Winners of the final round will have the opportunity to join the accelerator program of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. In addition, the winning teams (first, second, and third place) will receive prizes. The competition will be held at a national forum.