Space & Water Nexus Hackathon Opens Registration, Connecting Space Data with Water and Infrastructure Challenges
14 September 2026
Registration is open for the Space & Water Nexus Hackathon, taking place from 1 to 3 October 2026 at CometLab in Noordwijk, the Netherlands. Organised by Groundstation.space (dotSPACE) in collaboration with the FIERCE programme, the hackathon dedicates three days to challenges in water, infrastructure and environmental monitoring, bringing teams together with challenge owners, potential end users, mentors and experts. Teams and individual participants can register until 25 September.
Participants can arrive with an existing solution or a developed concept, or work on one of the challenges set by the participating organisations, which come from water and infrastructure, government, the space and Earth Observation sector, and the regional innovation ecosystem.
The first confirmed challenges are:
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Prevention of roadside fires. Supporting tool for roadside management (Rijkswaterstaat, the executive organisation of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management)
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Actionable Insights on Soil Compaction (Aerovision)
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Granular insights into wastewater discharges (Water Natuurlijk Rijnland)
Teams present their projects on the final day, before a matchmaking session with potential end users and other relevant stakeholders.
The winning team receives a €2,500 cash prize, a prototyping workshop at CometLab, a personalised funding opportunity scan, introduction to the local startup ecosystem, media exposure and promotion. dotSPACE will also support the team in preparing an application to the second open call of the FIERCE Financial Support Programme, which offers eligible SMEs vouchers of up to €50,000 and closes on 9 November 2026, subject to eligibility and selection requirements.
Participation is free of charge, including meals and refreshments. Teams need at least three members, and participants can also register individually and form a team on the spot. An online info session and Q&A on 23 September at 16.00 CEST will explain the format, the challenges and the practical arrangements, and give those still looking for teammates a chance to introduce themselves.
Read more about the hackathon and register: https://connect.groundstation.space/space-and-water-nexus-hackathon-1-3-october-cometlab
Register for the info session and Q&A: https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/1FoSril7PQpqGmAaWyDxzgg4m0lb
