On September 15, the University of Tartu Startup Lab started a new season of the idea development programme Starter. The opening event Idea Hackathon, held in the Delta Center, lasted nearly five hours. The participants could present their business ideas, listen to inspiring speeches and find a team they liked. At the end of the day, the participants formed teams that will start developing their business ideas in the Starter programme workshops.

Hasan Abdullayev, who graduated from the programme last fall semester, spoke at the event. He shared his experience in the Starter programme and encouraged all hackathon participants to join the program. Startup entrepreneur and experienced mentor Triin Kask talked about the joys and worries of entrepreneurship and encouraged the participants to start their own entrepreneurial journey. Hackathon leader, creative self-realization researcher and trainer Harald Lepisk talked about testing ideas and taught public speaking.

More than 120 people participated in the hackathon and presented 34 ideas from different fields. The teams discussed the problems that could be solved with their idea and immediately began to test the sustainability of this idea. At the end of the hackathon, the teams gave more clearly worded presentations of their ideas.

For most participants, this was their first exposure to a business idea hackathon and they found the experience very valuable. At the event, the team leaders also noted how much their idea presentation skills improved. More information about the event can be found on the Startup Lab website.

The event was funded by the European Social Fund.

Additional information: Kristian Kutsar, Startup Lab Communications and Marketing Specialist, 5628 6536, kristian.kutsar@ut.ee