EIT Water & PDJF Regional HACKATHON 2026 Published on: Aug 25 2026 Open Call for Innovative Teams Ready to turn a real-world water or marine challenge into an innovative solution? DIH Innovamare and the University of Zadar are inviting young entrepreneurs, innovators, startups, SMEs, researchers and RDI teams to join the EIT Water & PDJF Regional HACKATHON 2026 – a one-day, intensive innovation event bringing together diverse teams to develop solutions for urgent Water, Marine and Maritime (WMM) challenges. This is your opportunity to team up across disciplines, develop a Proof of Concept, pitch your idea to an expert jury and compete for €5,250 in cash prizes. What will you work on? The Hackathon focuses on three major EIT Water strategic objectives: Healthy, clean, productive and sustainable waters – tackling water pollution, ecosystem degradation and water-quality challenges. Water-smart Water, Marine and Maritime sectors – improving water efficiency, reducing losses, recycling and resource circularity. Resilient Water, Marine and Maritime sectors – strengthening resilience to climate-related events and external threats. Challenges may address areas such as: leakage detection & non-revenue water reduction freshwater monitoring & environmental intelligence predictive maintenance & smart infrastructure inspection ocean pollution & marine biodiversity coastal resilience & climate adaptation shipping emissions & sustainable maritime operations port efficiency & smart infrastructure We are looking for novel, practical and scalable solutions with potential for real-world impact. Open category: Blue Innovation Beyond the challenge areas above, the Hackathon is open to startups, spinouts, SMEs and venture teams from the wider blue economy, including marine monitoring, smart maritime operations, marine robotics, environmental intelligence and the circular blue economy. If your solution serves the Water, Marine and Maritime sectors and fits one of the three EIT Water strategic objectives, you can apply. Early-stage ideas and existing ventures with a working prototype or product are both welcome. You’ll use the Hackathon to develop, adapt or validate your solution with mentors and stakeholders. How to apply: in the application form, select “Open category: Blue Innovation” as your challenge area. Who should apply? We welcome multidisciplinary and cross-sector teams bringing together different perspectives and expertise, including: young entrepreneurs and innovators startups, spinouts and SMEs researchers and academics engineers, technology developers and RDI teams environmental and sustainability experts business and innovation professionals Teams should combine technical, environmental and/or business expertise. You don’t need to have a finished product. Early-stage ideas and solution concepts are welcome. Existing ventures with a working prototype or product are welcome too. What can you win? Three winning teams will receive cash prizes worth €5,250 in total: 1st place – €3,000 – 1.000 EUR EIT Water and 2.000 EUR sponsors 2nd place – €1,500- 500 EUR EIT Water and 1.000 EUR sponsors 3rd place – €750- 250 EUR EIT Water and 500 EUR sponsors Beyond the prizes, the Hackathon offers an opportunity to: develop your idea into a Proof of Concept (PoC); work with experts, mentors and a multidisciplinary team; validate your solution against real-world challenges; connect with companies, researchers, public authorities and innovation ecosystem actors; explore opportunities for pilots, partnerships, incubation and future funding; gain visibility within the EIT Water innovation ecosystem. Key dates 25 August 2026 – Open Call launches 15 October 2026, 23:59 CEST – Application deadline Late October 2026 – Selection results 5 November 2026 – Regional Hackathon Finale, Zadar, Croatia How to apply? Applications are submitted online via the MAIROS platform. Your application should demonstrate: which EIT Water Strategic Objective your solution addresses; the problem and why it matters; what makes your solution innovative; its potential environmental, social and economic impact; how it could become viable and scalable; why your team has the skills to make it happen. Participation is free of charge. Catering and essential on-site Hackathon infrastructure will be provided. Travel and accommodation costs are the responsibility of participants. Applications are open from 25 August until 15 October 2026. Organised by: DIH Innovamare & University of Zadar Supported by: EIT Water & Poul Due Jensen Foundation (PDJF) Please read the full Open Call Rules & Regulations before submitting your application. EIT Water & PDJF Regional HACKATHON 2026 Step 1 of 6 - Team information 16% Organisation(Required) Team name(Required) E-mail(Required) Country(Required) How many people are in your team?(Required)123456+ Which EIT Water Strategic Objective does your solution address?(Required) SO3 – Healthy, clean, productive and sustainable waters SO4 – Water-smart Water, Marine and Maritime sectors SO5 – Resilient Water, Marine and Maritime sectors Which challenge area does your solution address?(Required) Leakage Detection & Non-Revenue Water Reduction Freshwater Monitoring & Environmental Intelligence Predictive Maintenance & Smart Infrastructure Inspection Ocean Pollution & Marine Biodiversity Coastal Resilience & Climate Adaptation Shipping Emissions & Sustainable Maritime Operations Port Efficiency & Smart Infrastructure Open category: Blue Innovation Other If you have selected other please let us know which one: What specific problem or challenge are you addressing?(Required)Who is affected by this problem?(Required) For example: water utilities, municipalities, ports, shipping companies, coastal communities, environmental agencies, ecosystems, etc. Describe your proposed solution in a few sentences.(Required)What stage is your solution currently at?(Required) Idea / Concept Early prototype Proof of Concept Tested prototype Existing solution requiring further development Other If you have selected other please let us know which one: What impact could your solution have?(Required) Improve water quality Reduce water losses Improve water efficiency Reduce emissions Protect marine/freshwater ecosystems Improve infrastructure resilience Reduce operational costs Improve monitoring and decision-making Other If you have selected other please let us know which one: Who would be the main users or customers of your solution?(Required) What expertise or support would you most like to gain during the Hackathon?(Required) Why do you want to participate in the EIT Water & PDJF Regional HACKATHON?(Required) Can your team attend the Hackathon in Zadar on 5 November 2026(Required)YesNoHow did you hear about the Hackathon?(Required) DIH Innovamare University of Zadar EIT Water Partner organisation Social media Email/newsletter Other If you have selected other please let us know which one: Please confirm that the information provided is accurate and complete.(Required) I confirm.Please confirm that your team accepts the Open Call Rules & Regulations.(Required) I confirm.Please confirm that your proposed solution does not knowingly infringe third-party intellectual property rights.(Required) I confirm.GDPR / personal data consent and acknowledgement. (That includes video and web-streaming, photography service, and other public activities which ensure project visibility.)(Required) I confirm. Share this post on: