Nordic Hemp Hackathon: Are you ready to push the boundaries of hemp valorization?

Organized by the Centre of Bioeconomy at the Estonian University of Life Sciences (BioMAK) and Nordic Hemp, Europe’s third-largest hemp producer, this exciting innovation event is open to businesses, researchers, start-ups, and teams eager to develop sustainable, high-impact solutions. Let’s innovate together and elevate the hemp industry to new heights! 

 What is it all about? 

Nordic Hemp is seeking innovative solutions to enhance the industrial hemp value chain. The goal is to develop the most optimal and efficient methods to valorize hemp fibers, dust, and hurd obtained during the decortication of hemp stalks at Nordic Hemp. 

What exactly is Nordic Hemp looking for?  

We are not seeking conventional solutions like using hemp hurd for hempcrete, dust for briquettes, or fibers for clothing. Instead, we challenge you to develop innovative approaches that push the boundaries of current applications. By proposing novel uses for these hemp by-products, you can showcase creativity, sustainability, and economic viability. The goal is to find the most optimal and efficient ways to valorize hemp fibers, dust, and hurd obtained during the decortication of hemp stalks at Nordic Hemp.  

Why is this important? 

Innovative hemp applications can stimulate economic growth and create jobs, particularly in rural areas. Emerging uses in health and wellness, such as dietary supplements and skincare products, meet consumer demand and promote well-being. 

These solutions support the circular bioeconomy by reusing and recycling all parts of the hemp plant, aligning with Europe’s sustainability goals. The need for new, creative approaches has never been more critical to fully harness the potential of this versatile crop. 

Who is Nordic Hemp? 

Nordic Hemp is one of the largest hemp producers in Europe, based in Estonia. The company specializes in hemp cultivation, processing, storage, and transport. As a leading producer of hemp-based food products, Nordic Hemp proudly exports to markets worldwide, focusing primarily on Europe and North America. Committed to sustainability and innovation, Nordic Hemp aims to provide the highest quality, purest, and most ethically produced hemp products to meet the needs of discerning customers. 

Look at the video about Nordic Hemp Hackathon 

More about the company: About Nordic Hemp 

Read more about the BioBoosters hackathon participation rules: BioBoosters Hackathon Rules 

Why should you participate in the Nordic Hemp Hackathon?  

The Nordic Hemp Hackathon is open to all interested teams, including large companies, SMEs, research institutes, research groups, student groups, start-ups, and other actors. Your team can also be a collaboration between several organizations. 

The Nordic Hemp Hackathon is international and working language is English.   

Opportunities for Hackathon Participants 

Nordic Hemp offers hackathon participants exciting opportunities based on the maturity of their ideas. It could be: 

·         Business cooperation: collaborate with Nordic Hemp to bring your innovative idea to market. 

·         Joint project or pilot: start or develop a joint project or pilot, utilizing our biomaterials to test and refine the winning idea(s). 

In addition, you will have the opportunity to:   

·         be an innovator and elevate the hemp industry to new heights; 

·         acid test your idea with direct feedback from a potential client; 

·         establish connections and network with other companies and specialists in the field; 

·         get experts know-how and support for idea testing and commercialization; 

·         get international recognition and visibility for your team’s knowhow; 

·         launch new RDI, commercial partnerships, access market opportunities. 

Evaluation criteria 

1. Innovation: How unique and ground-breaking is the proposed solution? 

2. Feasibility: Can the solution be realistically implemented with current technology? 

3. Sustainability: Does the solution promote environmental sustainability? 

4. Economic Viability: Is the solution cost-effective and scalable? 

5. Team: Capacity of the team to establish cooperation with Nordic Hemp. 

Nordic Hemp Hackathon timetable 

·         January 14, 2025 Publication of the challenge in a launch webinar. 

·         February 14, 2025 Deadline for submitting an application. 

·         February 17, 2025 Selection of teams published  

·         February 28, 2025: Kick-off event (online) where the participating teams will meet each other and representatives of the sponsoring company. At the kick-off event, representatives of the company will tell the participating teams more about the challenge.  

·         March 13-14, 2025: Hackathon Day(s) (1- or 2-day event). At the end of the day the winning team(s) will be selected. Participation is possible in the Hackathon event either in agreement of venue or online. 

Register for hackathon here 

Organizer(s) 

About the Centre of Bioeconomy at the Estonian University of Life Sciences (BioMAK) 

The Centre of Bioeconomy at the Estonian University of Life Sciences focuses on interdisciplinary collaboration and initiatives within the university’s structural units, as well as with other universities, research institutions, companies, and organizations in Estonia and abroad. 

Support from the BioBoosters Project Network 

The BioBoosters project network supports the Nordic Hemp Hackathon through communication and marketing cooperation. This network includes 9 prominent bioeconomy innovation hubs around the Baltic Sea, spanning Finland, Sweden, Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. 

The BioBoosters project will organize a total of 18 Hackathons to support the sustainability mission of bioeconomy companies. The project is co-funded by the Interreg BSR program and the European Regional Development Fund. 

Hemp Hackathon is implemented and supported as part of the project “BioBoosters – boosting the circular transition” (https://interreg-baltic.eu/project/bioboosters/). The aim of this international project is to increase the level of innovation of entrepreneurs in the field of bioeconomy and circular economy. 

More information 

Katrin Kepp, katrin.kepp@emu.ee, +372 5615 7938 

Ardi Oja, ardi@nordichemp.ee, +372 5563 6333 

More information about the hackathon  

Programme Manual Online

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