The solutions were evaluated by an international jury, which selected the winners in three categories: the most advanced solution, the strongest idea, and from zero to hero that showed progress from the idea stage to a prototype during the hackathon. The winners of each category were awarded a cash prize of 4000 EUR.

The Latvian team PureOceans won in the category “The most advanced solution”, with their technology solution that cleans rivers and seabeds from 98% of oil and microplastic pollution. Team leader Alona Stepanenko emphasizes the team’s participation in the hackathon: “Participation in this event was one of the best experiences we have ever had. The overall level of professionalism of the mentors was extremely high and all the ideas, thoughts and advice they shared were very valuable. We can thank them in advance for any future success we will have.”

The Latvian team DronePlan won in the category “The Strongest Idea”. The team’s solution is to use automated drones to collect pollution data and provide automated system analysis for pollution mapping. Meanwhile, NPeter – a team of students from Lithuania formed during the event – won the award for the greatest progress from the idea to the sketch of the first prototype.

Within two days, the teams validated their solutions, improved business models, and consulted with 23 industry representatives, experts and business mentors from the three Baltic States. A total of 72 mentoring sessions were conducted over two days.

The Digital Sea Hackathon took place for the first time in cooperation with three EIT Food hubs in the Baltic region – AgriFood Lithuania DIH, Riga Technical University (RTU) and Tartu Biotechnology Park. The organizers invited researchers, entrepreneurs, experts in the field, technology developers and students from various fields to participate. More about hackathons and challenges: www.hackdigitalsea.lt

EIT Food is a knowledge and innovation community of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). By forging close links between consumers, businesses, start-ups, researchers and students from across Europe, EIT Food supports innovation and sustainable economic initiatives that increase access to quality food, improve the environment and health, create new jobs and increase Europe’s competitiveness.