On 7 and 8 March 2026, the 2nd two-day Innovation Marathon (Hackathon) of the National Technical University of Athens took place at the Zografou Campus, organised by the NTUA Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

The activity was implemented under the project “Strategic Research Plan of the National Technical University of Athens” (MIS 5180665), which forms part of the Operational Programme “Greece 2.0” and is co-funded by the European Union.

Over the two days, participants worked intensively in teams, received guidance from mentors and industry experts, and presented their ideas before the Final Evaluation Committee. The Hackathon offered a dynamic experience of creativity and collaboration, giving participants the opportunity to combine technology, innovation and teamwork, developing projects distinguished by their originality and their social or entrepreneurial value.

The award-winning teams were as follows:

1^st Prize: Ecolibrium

The Ecolibrium team, consisting of Mr. Vlasis Christos and Mr. Sarras Paschalis, is developing a digital platform that helps businesses reduce or offset their carbon footprint by linking emissions to real reforestation projects, the progress of which is continuously monitored and verified through satellite data.

2^nd Prize: QuantumOrbit Research

The QuantumOrbit Research team, consisting of Ms. Nikolidaki Aikaterini and Mr. Kalognomon Alexandros, is developing innovative solutions for optimising communication and data routing in low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations, leveraging advanced quantum computing methods.

3^rd Prize: Pulseone

The Pulseone team, consisting of Mr. Stivaktakis Iraklis and Mr. Tsiatouras Athanasios, is developing a data-driven digital application for industrial machinery that predicts failures, identifies potential fault points, and simulates equipment operation, converting operational and maintenance decisions into measurable savings in energy, CO₂ and cost in real time.

At the close of the event, a welcoming address was delivered by the NTUA Vice-Rector for Research, Innovation and Outreach, Professor Emmanouel Varvarigos, who congratulated the participants for their creativity and dedication. He emphasised in particular that engineers possess the knowledge and skills to tackle complex challenges and transform their ideas into innovative solutions with real-world impact.

The successful conclusion of the Hackathon was made possible through the contribution of the Advisory Committee and the Final Evaluation Committee, whose members included Assoc. Professor Athanasios Bimis, Assoc. Professor Georgios Piniotis and Assoc. Professor Aimilia Protogerou, as well as Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship members Ms. Despoina Charchousi and Mr. Stelios Vernardos. Equally significant was the mentorship provided by Professor Anastasios Doulamis, Assoc. Professor Thomas Chatzichristou, Dr. Ioannis Giannouli and Mr. Vasilis Papakonstantinou.