Ultrahack Series: Regional Finland/Europe 2026
Overview
The Ultrahack Series is a premier open innovation platform hosting regional hackathons across Finland and Europe, connecting over 10,000 community members, including developers, startups, corporates, and public organizations to solve global challenges through collaborative prototyping. Organized by Ultrahack, these events emphasize end-to-end innovation, from pre-event preparation to post-hack acceleration, fostering meaningful digital solutions in industries like health, sustainability, AI, and civic tech. Fully inclusive, the series welcomes all skill levels—seniors, juniors, students, and teams—while retaining participants’ IPR rights and offering ECTS credits through partner universities.
In 2026, the regional edition in Finland/Europe builds on a legacy of 100+ challenges and 1,000+ solutions, featuring themed tracks from leading partners like Nokia, ESA, and UN. Past events have generated €200,000+ in prizes, with projects evolving into startups via mentorship from 500+ experts. Supported by an online platform for submissions and team building, the series drives growth, networking, and access to exclusive APIs, making it a launchpad for future innovations in Europe’s tech ecosystem. Official site: https://ultrahack.org for updates and applications.
Event Highlights
- Bullet or short paragraph of the main attractions: The series captivates with intensive 48-hour hacking sprints where pre-selected teams refine solutions to real-world challenges, pitch to judges from industry giants, and compete for €9,000+ in European prizes plus local awards, all amid a vibrant community of innovators in Finland’s innovation hubs.
- Main activities or performances:
- Project development in themed tracks like AI, sustainability, and health, with round-by-round progressions and live demos.
- Keynote sessions, expert workshops on emerging tech, and sponsor challenges using proprietary APIs.
- Mentor-led feedback rounds, team matchmaking, and networking mixers to build collaborations.
- Final pitch competitions with jury evaluations, audience voting, and award ceremonies celebrating impactful prototypes.
- Special traditions or features:
- Pre-game submission phase for early finalist selection, allowing extended development and team recruitment.
- Post-hack incubation support, including accelerator connections and investor matchmaking.
- Commitment to diversity with travel grants, online options, and “Yes, I can!” volunteer spirit.
- Community-driven elements like shared accomplishments celebrations and continuous learning workshops.
- Unique attractions for visitors:
- Global reach with hybrid onsite/online formats, drawing talent from Europe and beyond for cross-cultural idea exchange.
- Direct access to unpublished tools and data from partners like NASA and IBM for cutting-edge builds.
- Opportunities for media exposure, startup funding, and long-term partnerships through the Ultrahack network.
- Free essentials including meals, swag, and tech resources, plus ECTS credits for academic participants.
Why Attend
Attending the Ultrahack Series accelerates your career by immersing you in a supportive ecosystem of world-class mentors, startup coaches, and funding opportunities, ideal for developers, entrepreneurs, and teams seeking to prototype solutions that matter. With no barriers to entry—open to beginners and experts alike—you’ll gain hands-on experience in collaborative innovation, sharpen skills through pre-events and workshops, and retain full IPR control to commercialize your work. The regional Finland/Europe focus leverages Europe’s tech strengths, connecting you to 150+ industry partners for pilots, jobs, or co-foundings.
Beyond prizes and recognition, the series builds a lifelong community where shared challenges foster confidence and breakthroughs, as evidenced by past winners launching ventures like Rehaboo and Chaosarchitects. It’s a chance to exceed expectations, network with unlikely allies, and contribute to global issues like sustainability and health—all while enjoying dynamic, intensive fun in inspiring Finnish venues. Ultrahack isn’t just a hackathon; it’s your gateway to getting “ultra hacked” and shaping the future.
Date & Duration
- Dates: May 29 – 31, 2026
- Duration: 3 days
Venue / Location
- City and main venue: Espoo, A Grid at Aalto University.
- Notable areas: Main hacking halls, pitch stages, and workshop spaces within the facility.
- Additional venues: Potential hybrid elements in Helsinki and online for European participants.
- Google Maps address: Otakaari 5, 02150 Espoo, Finland.
Ticket Information
- How tickets are sold: Online applications via the Ultrahack platform; pre-game submissions required for selection.
- Whether admission is free or paid: Admission is free for selected participants.
- Ticket pricing in USD only: Free; prizes in EUR convertible to USD.
- Minimum and maximum tickets pricing: $0 minimum and maximum (sponsor-funded).
- Any special seating or VIP options: No seating tiers; collaborative open spaces; VIP mentor access via partner challenges.
- Booking details: Applications open early 2026, deadline April 2026; includes platform access for project submission and team building; priority for diverse teams.
- Additional info: Open to individuals, teams, students, and corporates; all perks like meals and APIs provided; official site: https://ultrahack.org/hackathons.
Booking with Euro Travelo
Looking to attend this event hassle-free? Euro Travelo can help you secure tickets, arrange travel, and manage your trip from start to finish. Whether it’s a business conference, trade show, or cultural festival, our team makes it easy for international visitors to join events across Europe. Contact Euro Travelo today to book your tickets and travel arrangements.
Contact Information
- Email: info@ultrahack.org (general inquiries); juhani.kivikangas@ultrahack.org (Chairman-specific).
- Phone: +358 405 561 228 (Juhani Kivikangas, English/Finnish available).
- Website: https://ultrahack.org (official site for applications and updates).
- Social Media: @ultrahackhq (Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter).
- Key Staff: Juhani Kivikangas (Chairman); UH team for logistics and mentoring.
- Press/Volunteers: Email info@ultrahack.org (press); apply via site for volunteering (TBD for 2026).
- Note: Response time ~24–48 hours. Multilingual support available; follows community guidelines.
Getting There
- Nearest airports: Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL, 15 miles/25 min drive).
- Public transport: Train from airport to Espoo Central (20 min), then bus/walk to Otakaari; local trams via HSL system.
- Parking: On-site at Aalto University lots (€5–10/day); bike-friendly with racks available.
- Other access: Rideshares (Bolt/Uber, ~€20 from Helsinki); walking from nearby Aalto campus areas.
Accommodation Options
- Budget options: Forenom Apartments Espoo ($60–$90/night, 1 mile from venue).
- Mid-range: Radisson Blu Esplanadi (Helsinki, $120–$180/night, 10 miles).
- Luxury: Hotel Kämp (Helsinki, $250–$400/night, central luxury).
- University housing: Aalto University dorms if available ($80–$120/night, on-campus).
- Other: Airbnb in Espoo/Tapiola ($100–$150/night); book early for hackathon season.
Reviews
- “Ultrahack gave us confidence to exceed expectations—the community and shared wins made it unforgettable.” – Matias Koskinen, CTO at Rehaboo.
- “Invaluable feedback from mentors; the hard work and pitching perfected our startup pitch overnight.” – Natalia Rincón, CEO at Chaosarchitects.
- “The atmosphere at Ultrahack was fantastic—discussions with experts were invaluable; met unique people.” – Simo Kekäläinen, Team CoSeGa Member.
Maps
Contact
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FAQ's
What is the application process for Ultrahack Series?
Start by registering on the Ultrahack platform to access challenges and submit your idea or existing project during the pre-game phase. Build your team, update submissions for feedback, and apply early as finalists are selected ongoing. No coding experience required—focus on innovative solutions to industry challenges. Selected teams get event access, mentoring, and resources. Check https://ultrahack.org for open calls; deadlines typically 1-2 months prior. Hybrid options available for global reach.
Who can participate in the regional events?
Everyone is welcome: individual hackers, student teams, corporate groups, startups, and beginners. The series values diverse skills from coding to business acumen, encouraging underrepresented voices and continuous learners. Join as a hacker to prototype, volunteer for support roles, or partner for challenges. Online participation ensures accessibility; travel grants available for onsite. Past events drew 3,000+ selected from 10,000 community members across Europe.
What support is provided during the hack?
Expect 48 hours of intensive development with 500+ mentors offering real-time guidance on tech, design, and pitching. Full meals, snacks, and workspaces provided; quiet zones for rest. Access exclusive APIs from partners like Nokia and ESA. Team matchmaking if solo, plus workshops on skills like AI prototyping. Post-hack, continue via incubation with investor intros and accelerator links. All under an inclusive code of conduct for harassment-free collaboration.
What prizes and opportunities come with winning?
Prizes total €200,000+ historically, including €9,000 European awards, cash, gadgets, and seed funding from accelerators. Winners pitch to investors for commercialization while retaining IPR. Non-winners get feedback and partner connections for pilots. Media exposure boosts visibility; many evolve projects into startups. Tracks like health and sustainability offer sector-specific bounties. Eligibility: complete demo and pitch; announced live with audience input.
How does Ultrahack support post-event growth?
The "Innovate, Incubate, Accelerate" phase connects you to partners for ongoing development, funding, and market access. Keep communicating with judges and mentors; leverage the community for co-founders or jobs. Earn ECTS credits via university partnerships by documenting participation. Online gallery showcases projects globally. Join newsletters for future events; alumni network spans 1,000+ solutions. Focus on impact—many teams secure investments or launches post-event.
