The Cyprus tech community is gearing up for the 4th annual HackTech Hackathon, scheduled for November 15–16 at The Warehouse by IT Quarter in Limassol. This year’s event, hosted by AdTech Holding under the auspices of the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digital Policy, is dedicated to developing technological solutions to combat wildfires.
Following a devastating summer that saw wildfires impact various communities across Cyprus, HackTech 2025 aims to channel the energy and creativity of local tech enthusiasts and professionals into actionable projects. “HackTech 2025 is more than just a coding competition – it’s a chance to use technology for good,” explained Alex Vasekin, CEO of AdTech Holding. “We believe that ideas coming from both enthusiasts and professionals across different companies can truly help tackle real challenges like wildfires.”
This year’s hackathon is structured around three critical tracks: Prediction, Prevention, and Response & Recovery. The Prediction track encourages teams to harness environmental, weather, and terrain data to build models that forecast wildfire risks. Meanwhile, the Prevention track focuses on innovative ways to minimise risks and enhance preparedness at both community and institutional levels. Lastly, the Response & Recovery track aims to create solutions that assist emergency teams, volunteers, and local communities during active fires and in the recovery process.
The event is expected to attract up to 20 teams, comprising developers, designers, product managers, IT professionals, data scientists, and marketers. Participants will receive guidance from mentors, investors, and government representatives, ensuring that their ideas have the potential to transform into real-world solutions.
HackTech 2025 will conclude with a DemoFest, where teams will present their prototypes to investors and accelerators, potentially securing funding for impactful ventures. The competition offers a prize pool of €30,000, with €15,000 for the first-place team, €10,000 for second, and €5,000 for third. A People’s Choice Award will also be given.
Since its inception in 2022, HackTech has evolved into Cyprus’s largest open hackathon, emphasising the social impact of technology. This year’s initiative is particularly poignant, given the recent wildfires. Vasekin remarked, “Recent events have affected many of us – both personally and as a community. It’s important not only to get through this period but to learn from it and move forward together. As a tech company, we can use our knowledge and experience to make a real contribution – helping Cyprus adapt, grow, and become more resilient.”
Registration for the hackathon is free and remains open until October 31, 2025, via the official website thehacktech.com. The collaboration with TechIsland, Cyprus’s largest tech association, aims to maximise participation and ensure a diverse range of skills and perspectives are applied to the wildfire challenge.
Organisers have described the hackathons as “power stations of intellect and imagination, surging with energy that flourishes when directed towards a worthy goal.” HackTech 2025 seeks to transform this energy into meaningful action, empowering participants to safeguard lives, ecosystems, and communities while promoting innovation that could serve as a model for other countries in the region.
