Are you a CBRNE innovation enthusiast? Join our next challenge to create impact!
GroundUp invites students, researchers, and young innovators from across Southern and Central-Eastern Europe to apply for the upcoming Hackathons in Serbia and Hungary.
Join us in developing creative, practical concepts that address real-world civil challenges in the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) domains.
Develop your Idea, Form a Team – Register, Participate, and Win!
Applications are open until 1 March 2026.
Who are we looking for?
Who are we looking for?
We need people who:
- Want to apply their skills to real-world CBRNE challenges;
- Are eager to collaborate across disciplines and countries;
- Have innovative ideas or want to co-create solutions in areas like detection systems, digital safety tools, or sustainable decontamination methods.
Teams should have 2–4 people; individuals may apply and will be placed in a group to compete.
What’s in it for you?
Consultancy
Valuable CBRNE and business field consultancy from field professionals.
Development
Your idea into business solutions with the help of tested entrepreneurs.
Networking
Connect with industry experts and get mentoring tailored to your needs.
Awards and prizes
Research visit to Ireland & Aquila Exposure Programme
The winners will participate in a three-to-five-day professional exposure programme to Aquila Bioscience, a Galway University spin-out company specialising in bio-decontamination technologies.
Use of HUN-REN Energy Research Centre infrastructure
The winners will be granted access to the facilities of the HUN-REN (Hungarian Research Network) Energy Research Centre to test and further develop their prototypes or sensor-based solutions.
Training by the Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences
The winning teams will be invited to participate in a specialised training titled “General Awareness CBRN Training”, delivered by certified experts of VINS and adapted to their profile and interests.
Visit to the Nuclear Plant of Hungary: Emergency Response and Nuclear Safety learning
The winning teams will visit the Nuclear Plant of Hungary for expert-led sessions on emergency response and nuclear safety, gaining first-hand insights into risk management and safety systems.
Reimbursement of travel costs will be available for all participants attending the on-site hackathons.
Serbian Hackathon: €130 for participants from Serbia, and €180 for participants from Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria.
Hungarian Hackathon: up to €200 reimbursement for hackathon participants (subject to eligibility and reimbursement rules).
Hackathons Timeline
Partners
