4th Hackathon @ PMRExpo in collaboration with COREVAS®

about this event

Build. Connect. Challenge what's next. Join innovators and experts at the Hackathon@PMRExpo to build the future of critical communication. 24–26 November 2026 · Koelnmesse.

Three days. Real challenges. New technologies. And at the end, a working prototype. At the Hackathon@PMRExpo 2026 in collaboration with COREVAS, developers, students, start-ups, emergency responders, companies and creative minds come together to develop new solutions for critical communication, public safety and critical infrastructures. It is not just about ideas on PowerPoint. You work together with your team on a real challenge, get access to technologies, experts and the PMRExpo community, and develop a solution during the hackathon that is ultimately presented on stage.

The hackathon is supported by partners and supporters from various fields — including authorities and organisations with security tasks (BOS), public institutions and industrial companies. This is how technological ideas meet real requirements and practical experience.

Projects have emerged from past hackathons that were continued after the event. One hackathon project led to a founding that was funded through the EXIST start-up grant. Another company founding emerged from the 2025 hackathon. Perhaps your idea will become a prototype. Perhaps a product. Perhaps even your next company.

What's NEXT? In 2026 we are asking a simple question: What comes next? "What's NEXT?" does not simply ask about the next technology. It is about what comes after today's state of the art — and which new possibilities can really make a difference in practice. Which technologies are changing control centres, emergency organisations and critical infrastructures? What role do AI, data, video, sensors, communication and new interfaces play? And what happens when people with completely different skills work together on a real challenge? You choose a challenge, find your team and develop a working prototype within three days. You do not need a finished product, a finished idea or an existing team. What you should bring: curiosity, your skills and the desire to build something.

The 2026 Challenges: From Reaction to Prediction — Recognise what is coming. How can AI, sensors and different data sources help to identify critical developments earlier and give people the right information in time? One Incident. One Picture. — Understand what is happening. How can language, video, images, maps, sensors and other data be combined into an intelligent situational picture that lets people understand and decide faster? Connected. No Matter What. — Stay connected, no matter what happens. How can communication work even when individual networks or systems fail, are overloaded or are not compatible with each other? The challenges set the direction — how you solve the task is left to your team.

What can you win? Besides experience, contacts and perhaps the foundation for your next project, there is of course something to win: 1st place: €2,000; 2nd place: €1,500; 3rd place: €1,000. A total of €4,500 in prize money awaits the best teams. At the end of the hackathon you present your prototype together with your team in front of an audience.

What to expect? During the hackathon you get everything you need to focus on your challenge: real challenges from public safety and critical infrastructure; access to technologies, APIs and tools; support from mentors and experts; exchange with developers, start-ups, emergency organisations and companies; supporters from BOS, public institutions and industry; your own hacker space; access to PMRExpo 2026; food and drinks during the hackathon; your hackathon T-shirt; access to our hackathon community; final pitches at PMRExpo; the chance at a total of €4,500 in prize money. And of course: three days of time to try something out for which everyday life often leaves no time.

Who is the hackathon for? You do not have to be a full-stack developer to take part. The hackathon thrives on different people coming together. You fit with us if you come, for example, from one of these areas: Software Development · AI & Machine Learning · Data · Hardware & IoT · UX & Design · Product · Public Safety · Critical Communication · Emergency Organisations · Business. Even if you are studying, just starting out or have never taken part in a hackathon, you are welcome. You do not need your own team. Teams can come together before or during the hackathon.

Your hacker ticket: With your hacker ticket you take part actively in the hackathon on site. It includes, among other things: participation from 24 to 26 November 2026; access to PMRExpo 2026; hacker space; technologies and tools from our partners; support from experts and mentors; food and drinks; hackathon T-shirt; community access; participation in the final pitch; chance at €4,500 in prize money.

Do not want to hack yourself but still want to be there? With the Community Ticket you stay up to date around the hackathon and can network with participants, partners and supporters. Our Hackathon@PMRExpo community has grown over the past years to around 500 members from technology, public safety, critical communication and industry. On our community platform you can follow which teams are forming, what is being worked on and which solutions are developed during the hackathon.

Who is behind it? The Hackathon@PMRExpo in collaboration with COREVAS is organised jointly by PMRExpo / Koelnmesse and Corevas GmbH & Co. KG. COREVAS contributes experience from several years of Hackathon@PMRExpo as well as technological and specialist expertise from public safety, critical communication and digital crisis management. Together with supporters from BOS, public institutions and industrial companies, we create a framework in which technological ideas meet real challenges from practice. Our goal is not to talk about innovation for three days. We want to see what happens when you simply start building something. Three days. Three challenges. One question. What's NEXT? Recognise what is coming. Understand what is happening. Stay connected, no matter what happens. Find out.

tracks

when

tickets

prizes

faq