The HackEOn events brought together over 100 students from ZHAW, UZH and ETH and over the intense 48-hour hackathon weekend, 10 teams collaborated to develop innovative solutions using satellite data. The event showcased remarkable creativity, technical expertise, and an entrepreneurial spirit, demonstrating the potential of Earth Observation technology in tackling pressing sustainability challenges. From climate resilience to agricultural innovation and disaster risk management, the projects explored a wide range of applications, highlighting how space technology can drive meaningful impact.

One of the standout solutions was Polaris Arctic, which developed a real-time iceberg monitoring system using Sentinel-1 ASMR data to optimize Arctic shipping routes, reducing risks and addressing the impact of climate change on global trade. Another team, MUD, focused on revolutionizing crop insurance in underserved regions by leveraging soil moisture-based data analytics and API integration to improve accuracy and accessibility. Meanwhile, Ground Truth applied InSAR tracking and machine learning to monitor ground subsidence risks, enabling more precise risk assessment and mitigation strategies.

The commitment and enthusiasm of the participants contributed greatly to the event’s success. The projects showcased diverse ways in which satellite data can be applied to address real-world challenges. HackEOn continues to foster a growing community of space enthusiasts, researchers, and entrepreneurs exploring the potential of Earth Observation for sustainability. This event series marked an important step, with ideas that could evolve further and create impact beyond the hackathon.

Supported by the DIZH Outreach Call, ZHAW and the University of Zurich jointly organized HackEOn, an interdisciplinary hackathon project that explored the use of satellite data to develop innovative solutions with societal and economic impact.

The project targeted students from various disciplines – ranging from science and design to management and engineering. A particular focus was placed on the application of Earth Observation (EO) data and its integration into new business models and technological developments. Participants gained hands-on expertise in analyzing how satellite data can be utilized to address economic, environmental, and social challenges.

As part of the project, new methods and practical applications were developed to demonstrate the innovation potential of EO data. An overview of the results is available at www.hackeon.ch.

Furthermore, the project fostered interdisciplinary innovation processes by facilitating collaboration between students from ZHAW, UZH, and ETH, along with industry partners and startups. The insights gained contributed to the advancement of entrepreneurial education, EO-based business models, and applied research in the New Space Economy.