International teams invited to join the first Underground Innovation Hackathon
Enterprise Estonia (EIS) is inviting international teams to take part in the first Underground Innovation Hackathon, aimed at developing new technologies and business opportunities for the use of underground space. Applications are open until 23 November.
The hackathon brings together entrepreneurs, researchers and experts from different fields to develop ideas that can grow into real-world projects and businesses. Underground space is not just about mines, tunnels and utility networks. It increasingly offers opportunities for energy storage, data centres, circular economy solutions and strengthening the resilience of critical infrastructure. At the heart of the hackathon is one question: how can we create more value from underground space?
“Estonia’s competitiveness increasingly depends on how quickly we can test new technologies and turn them into business opportunities. Underground space is emerging as an important testbed for both dual-use technologies and circular economy solutions. Estonia has the right conditions, expertise and readiness to move these opportunities forward. We invite international teams to take on real-world challenges, and we will help the strongest ideas move from pitch to pilot and towards the market,” said Kati Kongi, Head of the Research, Development and Innovation Department at Enterprise Estonia.
International multidisciplinary teams welcome
The Underground Innovation Hackathon is looking for up to 12 teams from across Europe. Teams must consist of 2–6 members and should have an initial idea or direction they want to develop further. The official event page confirms that universities, research teams, start-ups, companies and independent expert teams are all welcome to apply.
The hackathon focuses on three main challenges:
- how to use the unique characteristics of underground environments to strengthen the resilience and autonomy of society and industry while creating a clear technical or economic advantage over above-ground alternatives;
- how to build underground infrastructure faster, safer and smarter while reducing costs, risks and environmental impact;
- how to help technically strong underground projects more easily secure funding and the necessary permits, and move towards wider application.
The hackathon encourages cross-sector collaboration, bringing together expertise from fields such as energy, engineering, construction, data centres, artificial intelligence, the circular economy, biotechnology and defence. The emphasis is not only on the novelty of an idea, but also on its technical feasibility, economic viability and market potential.
From hackathon to pilot and real business
The Underground Innovation Hackathon is designed to go beyond an idea competition or final pitch. Participants will be able to develop their solutions with international mentors and sector experts, assess their technical and commercial feasibility, and connect with potential customers, partners and investors. This is also consistent with the support described on the official event page.
“We want to open up three-dimensional Estonia and explore what new technologies and businesses could emerge underground. Most importantly, a strong idea should not end with the final hackathon pitch but should find the right partners and a path towards real business,” said Ragmar Saksing, organiser from Dream is Everything.
Enterprise Estonia will continue to support the strongest teams after the hackathon by helping them identify relevant funding opportunities and connect with companies and potential pilot partners. The strongest teams will also have opportunities to showcase their solutions at the Underground Innovation Conference. The official hackathon programme describes further support towards proof of concept, validation, pilots and market entry in Estonia.
The hackathon will take place online. Applications are open until 23 November 2026, but teams are selected on a rolling basis, meaning strong applicants may secure their place before the final deadline. The online kick-off will take place on 1 December, followed by final pitches on 10 December.
Apply for the Underground Innovation Hackathon: Underground Innovation Hackathon
In addition to participating teams, the organisers are looking for sector experts to join as mentors, as well as companies, research institutions and other organisations interested in becoming partners and helping promising ideas move towards practical application.
The Underground Innovation Hackathon is organised by the Enterprise Estonia, the Geological Survey of Estonia, and the Estonian Land and Spatial Development Board.