In just 1.5 days, the participants, who consisted of various companies and students from Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences, worked on five demanding challenges covering topics ranging from volunteering and medical care to the networking of public spaces. The design thinking approach played a central role in the development of innovative and realisable solutions.

The atmosphere of the HIKEathon X Smart Region 2023 was infused with the magic of design thinking as the teams skilfully moved through the different phases of this creative process: understanding, observing, visualising, ideating, prototyping and testing. This methodical approach allowed participants to expand their cognitive abilities and foster both convergent and divergent thinking. This approach resulted in the development of innovative and realisable solutions.

The highlight of the event was the pitches in front of an exclusive jury made up of representatives from leading companies and institutions, including EY (Michael Bätz), EVN (Uwe Vatter), Stadtwerke Leipzig (Axel Roscher), Alpha Omega Technology (Jan Bose) and the digital agency Thüringen (Lara Engelmann). The atmosphere was electrifying, filled with a spirit of innovation, and the presentations were the crowning glory of the tireless commitment of all participants. After intensive deliberation, which took more than half an hour, the jury finally announced the winning team.

The HIKEathon X Smart Region 2023 was much more than just a competition; it was about community spirit, networking and the shared pursuit of innovation and progress. The participants, who we called 'Solution Finders', took home not only their innovative ideas, but also the important realisation that they can actively shape the future as part of a larger movement. In this informal learning environment, confronted with real challenges, they had the opportunity to strengthen their skills for the future. They experienced how design thinking as a human-centred approach reduces the complexity of problems and leads to creative and innovative solutions.

We would like to thank all participants, coaches, the jury and our sponsors for making this event an unforgettable experience. The results of the HIKEathon X Smart Region 2023 are an impressive testament to what can be achieved when innovative minds come together.

We are looking forward to the 4th edition of the HIKEathon in 2024 and invite all interested parties to stay up to date: www.hikeathon.de.

These were the award-winning ideas:

• Team ComNet - A platform that networks organisations and thus creates synergies.  
• Team tSafe - An app that makes the way to school safe.
• Team EcoEnergyNord - A technological solution that contributes to energy efficiency with the help of IoT and AI.

All ideas developed deserve respect at this point and are worthy of further development!

All ideas are currently being analysed and further developed together with interested participants.

Thanks to our sponsors & partner organisations of the HIKEathon 2023 Edition Smart Region:

Platinum partners: Leipziger Stadtwerke, Alpha-Omega Technology

Gold partners: Energieversorgung Nordhausen GmbH, Ernst & Young, CATL Basketball Löwen Erfurt

Partners: TMP Fenster + Türen GmbH, Maximator GmbH, Digitalagentur Thüringen GmbH , Stadtwerke Nordhausen Holding für Versorgung und Verkehr GmbH, Perspektive Nordthüringen, WIRTSCHAFTSSPIEGEL & WiYou | FVT Fachverlag Thüringen UG, BABLE Smart Cities GmbH