The HIKEathon, an interactive and productive format that lasts around 1-2 days, is organised by a highly motivated team from Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences and other partners. The event is designed to solve big problems in a short space of time and is based on the principles of design thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration. The participants, known as "Solution Finders", are organised into interdisciplinary teams and solve pre-defined challenges.

The HIKEathon 2023 has set itself the ambitious goal of developing innovative approaches and ideas for a smart region in the district of Nordhausen with the help of IoT technologies. The focus here is on the integration of technology, infrastructure and community needs. The challenges faced by the participants include areas such as mobility, energy efficiency, environmental monitoring, healthcare, education, emergency management, digital participation, waste management and participatory urban planning. The HIKEathon aims to tackle current issues that appeal to a broad section of the population and thus contributes to improving the quality of life in the region.

Interested parties are invited to participate as Solution Finders on 3 and 4 November 2023. The societal challenges we face require diverse approaches to solutions, and every background is welcome to enrich the interdisciplinary teamwork. Participation in the HIKEathon is free and open to social scientists, IoT engineers, students and companies alike. The event offers the opportunity to learn about design thinking, improve teamwork skills, discover new perspectives and actively participate in shaping a better future. Participants also have the chance to receive a coveted certificate and badge for their CV.

Jan Bose, CEO of Alpha-Omega Technology, emphasised the importance of smart regions and that these topics are very close to his company's heart. Prof Dr Jörg Wagner, University President, praised the initiative and is looking forward to the possibility of seeing future start-ups emerge from the ideas of the HIKEathon. Thomas Herwig from the hike team is looking forward to the expertise of the practitioners at the HIKEathon and informed that 27 challenges were submitted by companies this year, of which the top 5 will be worked on. These challenges include two energy topics, the improvement of medical care in the region, the strengthening of voluntary work and the safeguarding of the school journey for pupils.

In addition to Energieversorgung Nordhausen (EVN) and Alpha-Omega Technology, other partners who will be involved in the HIKEathon are Maximator Hydrogen, Maximator, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), the Employment Agency, the Society for Labour and Economic Development, the Mansfeld Südharz location development company, Perspektive Nordthüringen and others.

The HIKEathon jury is made up of representatives from the digital agency Thüringen, Uwe Vatter as technical director of EVN, Jan Bose, Michael Bätz from Ernst & Young as well as a shareholder of the Basketballöwen and Axel Roscher from Stadtwerke Leipzig.

Jana Zöller, Managing Director of EVN, is actively involved in the HIKEathon this time as she was already impressed by the results and this innovative form of project work at the previous HIKEathon. She is excited about the challenges ahead and is looking forward to working with the participants.

Thomas Herwig concluded by emphasising his thanks to all partners and sponsors who support the format in terms of content, with donations in kind and financially and thus contribute to the successful realisation of the HIKEathon. The main sponsor of this year's event is Stadtwerke Leipzig.

Further information can be found at https://www.hike-startups.de/hikeathonxsmartregion.