Dates: 15 – 19 June 2026
Location: Sofia, Bulgaria
Host Institution: New Bulgarian University
ERUA is happy to announce a three-day international Smart City hackathon that will take place at New Bulgarian University in Sofia between the 15th and 19th of June, 2026. The hackathon is organised as an ERUA initiative jointly designed by the New Bulgarian University, Mykolas Romeris University (MRU), SWPS University (Poland) and Viadrina University (Germany).
Hack Smart Sofia is designed as an intensive on-site Smart City hackathon, where all learning, collaboration, and innovation activities take place during the event itself. The programme will bring together international and interdisciplinary student teams to work on real urban challenges in a highly interactive, time-bound format.
Organised as a Spring School initiative in the field of Business Administration, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the event positions entrepreneurship education as an active driver of sustainable urban development. The hackathon will be held in conjunction with the international academic conference The Changing Cities 2026, creating a vibrant environment where education, research, and practice intersect.
A Challenge-Based Learning Experience
Hack Smart Sofia is designed as an intensive, fully on-site hackathon built on challenge-based and venture-building methodologies. Approximately 40 Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD students from ERUA partner universities will work in interdisciplinary and international teams to address real urban challenges.
The hackathon is open to all ERUA partner universities, further expanding collaboration across the alliance.
The Programme follows a structured innovation process:
Day 1 – Problem Exploration & Validation:
Participants are introduced to real Smart City challenges and work in teams to analyse urban problems, map stakeholders, conduct rapid user research, and validate the relevance of theselected challenges.
Day 2 – Solution Design & Prototyping:
Teams refine and select solutions using assumption-based validation methods, develop early prototypes and Minimum Viable Products (MVPs), and experiment with digital, AI, and no-code tools where relevant.
Day 3 – Testing, Pitching & Sharing:
Teams test their MVPs through real-world feedback using the “go out of the room” approach, iterate based on evidence, and develop pitch decks. Final solutions are presented to a professional jury, with the most promising ideas receiving awards and opportunities for further development.
Participants who complete the full programme and final pitch will receive 3 ECTS credits and/or certificates.
How to apply
We are looking for 40 Bachelor, Masters and PhD students from ERUA partner Universities.
If you are interested in participating you should submit the following documents:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Motivation letter
Applications should be sent to the ERUA coordinators at the respective partner universities:
- New Bulgarian University – Prof. Juliana Vassileva (jvassileva@nbu.bg)
- Mykolas Romeris University – Prof. Arturas Jurgelevicius (jurgelevicius@mruni.eu)
- European University Viadrina – Prof. Albrecht Soellner (Soellner@europa-uni.de) and Meike Joseph (Joseph@europa-uni.de)
- SWPS University – Prof. Agnieszka Mlodzinnska-Granek (amlodzinska-granek@swps.edu.pl) and Professor Justyna Berniak-Wozny (jberniak-wozny@swps.edu.pl)
If academic staff from other ERUA partners universities and their students express interest in joining the initiative, please send an email to Prof. Juliana Vassileva to facilitate coordination and planning.
Deadline: 15 March 2026.
The deadline for confirming participation is 30 March 2026.
Learning Outcomes and Credits
Participation in Hack Smart Sofia 2026 will enable students to:
- Develop practical entrepreneurial and innovation skills
- Strengthen analytical thinking, creativity and adaptability
- Gain hands-on experience in rapid prototyping and pitching
- Enhance cross-cultural teamwork and communication competencies
- Expand professional networks through direct interaction with academics, municipal experts, and industry partners
The intensive and competitive format will further strengthen resilience, confidence, and professional presentation skills – key assets for future careers in European innovation ecosystems.
Funding:
ERUA students can receive travelling and accommodation funding from their home universities! For more information related to traveling and funding opportunities contact your local ERUA coordinator.
