What is Ocean Re-CREATION Challenge?

The Ocean Re-CREATION Challenge is a maritime hackathon – a kind of productive specialist conference over 3 days where agile methods from the start-up and software sector are used to develop tangible solutions to specific challenges from the maritime economy, society and ocean research.

Who is organizing the Ocean Re-CREATION Challenge?

The Ocean Re-CREATION Challenge is a joint project initiated by TransMarTech SH GmbH in cooperation with a diverse network of partners.

Who are the institutional partners of the Ocean Re-CREATION Challenge?

The Kieler Wirtschaftsförderung (KiWi) GmbH, the IHK Schleswig-Holstein, the Maritime Cluster Norddeutschland.

When does the Ocean Re-CREATION Challenge 2024 start?

Annually in the 3rd week of September; September 17, 2025 to September 19, 2025.

What is the goal of the Ocean Re-CREATION Challenge?

Knowledge transfer, networking between players from the maritime industry, society and science with the aim of (further) developing sustainable and economically viable solutions for and with maritime players and strengthening the innovative power of the industry in SH.

2021 Launch of the first Ocean Re-CREATION Challenge with challenges and challenges from research projects and NGOs.

In 2022, the special feature was to develop model technological and digital solutions for the Smart KielRegion in and around Kiel, which in turn can be transferred to other regions.

Unfortunately, we had to take a break in 2023.

2024 Companies and start-ups work on challenges from scientific transfer projects and develop data-based business models.

Who can participate in the Ocean Re-CREATION Challenge?

Any entrepreneur, scientist or private individual who (wants to) develop concrete concepts and prototypes with their technical and methodological expertise. Different experts are required depending on the challenge. Take a look at the challenges right now! :-)

ATTENTION: Participation is associated with costs for participants from companies. Further information can be found in the registration form.

Where do I register as a participant?

Registration is via the registration form on our website from mid-June until the end of August.

Should I register as a team or as an individual?

You can register as an individual and as a team (max. 3 people).

Is there a fee for participating in the Ocean Re-CREATION Challenge?

If you register as an employee of a company, you will incur participation fees! All prices are net prices plus 19% VAT. The price includes catering and on-site mentoring for all 3 days.
– Individual Challenge Company (800 Euro)
– Teams of 3 from the same Challenge company (package price 2,000 euros)
– Individual Challenge-TMT partner company (600 euros)
– Teams of 3 Challenge-TMT partner companies (package price 1,400 euros)
– Student (free of charge after application)
– Doctoral students (free of charge after application)
– Trainee (free of charge after application)
– Other job-seeking professionals (free of charge after application)

Employees from SH can apply for educational leave up to 6 weeks before the start of the hackathon.

The Ocean Re-CREATION Challenge is a hackathon – what kind of format is that?

The Ocean Re-CREATION Challenge is a cross-regional hackathon on coastal and marine conservation. For those who are not yet familiar with the format of a hackathon: it is something like a productive technical conference. That is, it is not only snapped, but also made. During the event, participants work in interdisciplinary teams on concrete tasks and develop innovative solution concepts. These can be both software and hardware based, or circumscribe service concepts (and everything in between). So there is a lot of freedom for development and design.

General definition: A hackathon (word creation from “hack” and “marathon”) is a collaborative software and hardware development event. Alternative names include “Hack Day,” “Hackfest,” and “codefest.” The goal of a hackathon is to jointly produce useful, creative or entertaining software products within the duration of this event or, more generally, to find solutions to given problems. At software hackathons, participants typically come from different areas of the software or hardware industry and often work on their projects in cross-functional teams. Hackathons always have a specific theme or are technology-related.

I’ve never been to a hackathon, now what?

Try it! The people are super friendly and no, you don’t have to be an expert to participate. We have a lot of consultants on board who are responsible for supporting you.

How does a hackathon work & how does the Ocean Re-CREATION Challenge work?

The hackathon will take place analogously in presence in Kiel from 17.9.-19.9.2025. After registering on our website, interdisciplinary teams will be put together to work independently on a specific challenge over 3 days. The teams are supported by mentors with professional and technical know-how. In principle, quite a few interested participants come together to work on relevant marine topics together. There will be a big introduction to how we work together, a kick-off event with exciting guests and then all participants will get started and try to find solutions to various challenges. At the end, all solutions and the best ideas will be awarded prizes by a jury, which can then be further supported and developed in the participating companies. The companies receive further support, for example in the Tech Clinic or in the TransMarTech SH innovation lab.

The solutions and idea concepts are presented to invited guests and the patron on the last day.

Is the Ocean Re-CREATION Challenge nationwide?

The hackathon takes place regionally in Kiel in Schleswig-Holstein; nationwide participation is possible on site. For suitable accommodations please contact us.

What is a challenge?

A challenge is a specific question that is ideally formulated with a focus on a technical product launch/development or new business field development. This forms the framework for the interdisciplinary teams to drive forward prototypes, software or hardware-based solutions or concepts with the aim of achieving added value over the next year.

How can I submit a challenge?

You can submit your challenge to the hackathon organization team by the end of June by sending an email to info@transmartech.sh. It is important to formulate a concrete question, add a small descriptive text. We will send you details of the criteria on request.

Which topics should the challenges touch upon?

Challenges should address the following topics:

#1 blue. digital

#2 blue.goods

#3 blue.safety

#4 blue.clean

How much time do I have to spend during the Ocean Re-CREATION Challenge?

In principle, you can work on your project every day for as long as you like. When you work in a team and who can invest how much time for the Ocean Re-CREATION Challenge is best discussed in your teams. We are here for you every day from 09:00 to 18:00. You can check in together with us in the morning and check out again in the evening. During this time slot, mentors from various fields will also be available to provide you with advice and support. But you can also take part if you only have 3 – 4 hours a day, every help counts. To be recognized as educational leave, you must be present the entire time.