We invite you to participate in Ukraine’s first geological hackathon

This year marks a first for Ukraine, as USF and EIT Raw Materials collaborate to launch the inaugural Raw Materials Hackathon: Change4Future, focusing on minerals and metals processing.

The Geological Investment Group has taken on the role of grant partner for this event. Among the speakers at Ukraine’s first hackathon are Iryna Suprun, founder of the Geological Investment Group, and Dmytro Kashchuk, the company’s Director of Business Development.

The Ukrainian hackathon aims to discover innovative solutions for sustainable raw material supply by integrating cutting-edge inventions, educational opportunities, and entrepreneurial experience in the subsoil use sector. Inventors from across the nation are encouraged to participate in the startup selection process, as they represent the key drivers of Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction in the post-war era.

Furthermore, according to current projections, the global demand for certain critical raw materials – which Ukraine is well-equipped to supply – is on an upward trajectory year after year.

It is also worth remembering that Ukraine is one of the top 10 countries in the world in terms of titanium, iron ore, kaolin, manganese, zirconium, and graphite production. Our country has deposits of 22 out of 30 minerals that are included in the list of critical minerals for the European Union. Unfortunately, many deposits are still located in the temporarily occupied territories. However, we should already be thinking about the future, in which Ukraine will regain its territories and develop all the raw materials properly.

Startups, researchers, young scientists, graduate students, and undergraduates are invited to participate in the Change4Future Hackathon. All those who have ideas aimed at finding technologies and solutions within the following 5 challenges:

• improved and new mineral exploration,
• more efficient, safer and sustainable modern mining,
• processing of mineral raw materials and metals and production of advanced materials,
• optimization of the processes of extraction and production of metals and alloys (increasing process efficiency, use of less energy and water, reduction of costs and waste generation),
• search for alternative materials for pipe manufacturing.

 The event will feature workshops and panel discussions led by industry experts, mentoring sessions, and intensive group sessions with team mentors to address various challenges. Additionally, a prize fund will be available.

Prizes for the challenge winners include a $1,000 grant from the Geological Investment Group, $10,000 in services from Amazon Web Services, opportunities for piloting in key industry companies, mentoring on technology implementation from representatives of DTEK Oil&Gas, and much more.

The event is scheduled to take place online from November 25 to 28, 2022.

Interested participants are encouraged to apply by completing the form available at https://eitrawmaterials.mantisbi.io/call/63612de910b76/.

The event is supported by the Geological Investment Group, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, ReThink, Greencubator, DTEK Oil&Gas, the European Business Association, and the National Association of Extractive Industries.

For more information, please visit the Ukrainian Startup Fund’s website at https://usf.com.ua/first-ukrainian-hackathon-change4future/.