about this event
YFN x EU Hackathon 2026: Powering Europe's Energy Future 📅 September 27, 2026 | 📍 Munich | ⏱ 9:00–20:00
Join ~80 students, researchers, young professionals, scientists, startups, and EU representatives for a one-day hackathon designing real solutions for Europe's energy and climate future, hosted as a side event of Bits & Pretzels 2026.
Organised by the Young Founders Network e.V. in partnership with the European Commission Representation Munich and Europe Direct Munich.
What to expect: 🎤 Morning keynotes & breakout sessions across three tracks: People & Citizens: energy communities, just transition, crisis communication Innovation & Business: startup models, investment trends, EU market opportunities Infrastructure & Cybersecurity: grid architecture, energy security, resilience ⚡ Hackathon (12:00–17:00): Interdisciplinary teams tackle a real-world energy challenge, from concept to prototype in one afternoon. 🏆 Pitch competition & award ceremony (18:00–20:00): Top 5 teams present to a jury of founders, policymakers, and scientists. Winners pitch on the main stage at Bits & Pretzels in front of thousands of founders and investors. 🤝 Cross-sector networking throughout the day, connect with the people actually building Europe's energy future.
Whether you're a founder, researcher, student, or policy enthusiast: this is where you meet your co-founders, mentors, and the jury that takes your idea to the next level.
👉 Apply now! Spots are limited to ~80 participants.
tracks
People & Citizens
Energy communities, just transition, crisis communication
Innovation & Business
Startup models, investment trends, EU market opportunities
Infrastructure & Cybersecurity
Grid architecture, energy security, resilience
schedule
YFN x EU Energy Hackathon
Morning keynotes and breakout sessions, hackathon from 12:00 to 17:00, pitch competition and award ceremony from 18:00 to 20:00.
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