Knowledge and Technology Transfer Centre

The international AI and robotics hackathon “RobotHack 2026” will take place on 24–28 November, bringing together students, technology enthusiasts and professionals from various fields to develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges. VILNIUS TECH students are invited to put their ideas into action, gain practical experience and compete for a total prize pool of €8,000. Registration is open until 19 November. RobotHack 2026 offers students an opportunity to apply their knowledge in practice, collaborate with people from different backgrounds and explore innovative solutions using artificial intelligence, robotics and automation technologies. This year's hackathon will focus on three main challenge areas: Logistics – developing smarter and more efficient solutions for moving goods, resources and autonomous systems. Humans + Robots – exploring technologies that improve interaction and collaboration between people and robots. Smart Cities – using artificial intelligence, robotics and connected technologies to address urban and public-sector challenges. Open to students from all academic backgrounds The hackathon is not limited to engineering or IT students. Participants from design, business, creative disciplines and other fields are equally welcome. No prior robotics experience is required. Curiosity, creativity and a willingness to collaborate are what matter most. Each team must include at least one student enrolled at a higher education institution in the European Union. Five days of innovation and expert mentoring RobotHack 2026 will take place in a hybrid format, combining online activities with in-person events in Riga, Latvia. The hackathon will kick off on 24 November at the Transport and Telecommunication Institute (TSI) in Riga. The opening event will also be livestreamed. From 25 to 27 November, participants will take part in online workshops, teamwork activities and mentoring sessions with experts. Optional in-person laboratory visits will be available on 26 November. The hackathon will conclude on 28 November with an in-person Demo Day at Riga Technical University (RTU), where teams will present their solutions. Register by 19 November Participation is free of charge, and the total prize pool is €8,000. Don't miss this opportunity to turn your ideas into practical solutions, connect with like-minded innovators and contribute to the development of future technologies! Registration closes on 19 November.

On 27–29 November 2026, Kaunas will host the international CASSINI Hackathon “Space for Peace and Resilience”, bringing together students, young professionals and technology enthusiasts to develop innovative solutions addressing security, crisis management and societal resilience challenges. VILNIUS TECH students are invited to explore space technologies, gain hands-on experience and compete for cash prizes. Organised by Kaunas Science and Technology Park (Tech-Park Kaunas), the hackathon will bring together participants from different disciplines to develop solutions to real-world security challenges using European Union space technologies and satellite data. During the event, participants will have the opportunity to work with Arduino and satellite Internet of Things (IoT) equipment, transmit data to a satellite and monitor its reception through a dedicated platform. They will also gain access to resources from European space programmes, including Copernicus and Galileo. Participants will address real-world challenges related to cybersecurity, crisis management, critical infrastructure protection and societal resilience. Experienced mentors and industry experts, including representatives from NanoAvionics and other specialists from Lithuania's technology ecosystem, will support the teams throughout the event. Cash Prizes and International Opportunities The best-performing teams in Kaunas will compete for cash prizes of €3,000, €2,000 and €1,000, along with additional prizes provided by event partners. The winning teams will also have the opportunity to advance to the European CASSINI finals, where prizes of €5,000, €3,000 and €1,000 await. Top-performing teams will also be eligible for six months of expert mentoring. Open to Students from All Fields of Study No previous programming experience or expertise in space technologies is required to participate. Students from computer science, engineering, business, economics, design and other academic disciplines are encouraged to join. Participants can register individually or as part of an existing team. Participation is free of charge. Event Details: Date: 27–29 November 2026 Location: Tech-Park Kaunas, K. Baršausko St. 59, Kaunas, Lithuania Registration deadline: 20 November 2026 Registration: https://www.cassini.eu/hackathons/lithuania Don't miss this opportunity to put your ideas into practice, connect with like-minded innovators and contribute to the development of innovative solutions!

The University of Connecticut (UConn), USA, invites researchers, academics, doctoral students and research-based innovators to participate in “Benchtop to Business: Turning Scientific Discovery into Commercial Impact”, a virtual training programme focused on research commercialisation and science-based entrepreneurship. Scheduled for spring 2027, the programme aims to provide participants with practical knowledge and tools to assess the commercial potential of scientific discoveries, identify market opportunities and develop strategies for bringing research-based innovations to market.   Who Should Participate? The programme is designed for university faculty, researchers, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students and research-based founders interested in transforming scientific discoveries into market-ready products and services.   The training is particularly relevant to researchers working in the following fields: Life Sciences; Health Technology; Therapeutics; Diagnostics; Medical Devices; Biotechnology; Life Science Tools; Animal Health; Other Science-Driven Fields. No prior business experience is required.   Training Programme The programme consists of three interactive virtual sessions covering the following topics: From Scientific Discovery to Commercial Opportunity. Assessing market potential, identifying target customers and developing a value proposition. De-Risking the Path to Market. Intellectual property, technology licensing, regulatory requirements and business model development. Funding, Partnerships and Business Development. Attracting investment, building strategic partnerships and developing a commercialisation roadmap. Participants will explore practical case studies and apply the knowledge gained to their own research projects. Each participating team will also benefit from an individual coaching session.   Practical Information Date: Spring 2027. Format: Online. Duration: Approximately 10 hours, including interactive training and individual coaching. Organiser: University of Connecticut, Global Training and Development Institute (GTDI). Certificate: Participants who successfully complete the programme are expected to receive a certificate of completion from UConn GTDI, subject to final programme approval. For further information about the programme, registration and participation conditions, please contact the organisers at gtdi@uconn.edu. More information: https://training.global.uconn.edu/

The European Space Agency (ESA) invites university students to apply for the “Space Technology and Commercialisation Workshop 2027”, organised by ESA Academy. The workshop will take place in Belgium from 18 to 22 January 2027. Applications are open until 8 November 2026. The five-day workshop is designed for Bachelor's students (from their third year onwards), Master's students and PhD candidates interested in innovation, technology transfer and entrepreneurship. Students from business, engineering, natural and social sciences, industrial design and other related fields are encouraged to apply. Led by ESA specialists and experts from start-ups and industry, the workshop will explore the potential applications of space technologies across different sectors. Participants will gain insights into technology transfer, patenting, innovation commercialisation and entrepreneurship. The programme combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience. Working in teams, students will analyse real ESA patents, explore innovative applications of space technologies, develop business models and pitch their ideas. The workshop will also cover funding opportunities, marketing strategies and business incubation. Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate of participation and a course transcript, which may be used to request ECTS credit recognition at their home universities. ESA will cover accommodation and meals for selected participants and reimburse travel expenses to Belgium up to €350.   Key information: Dates: 18–22 January 2027. Location: ESA Academy's Training and Learning Facility (ESEC), Belgium. Application deadline: 8 November 2026, 23:55 CEST. Required documents: motivation letter, CV, recommendation letter from a university professor or academic supervisor, and academic transcript.   Applicants must be at least 18 years old and meet ESA's eligibility requirements. For more information about the workshop, eligibility criteria and the application process, visit the official ESA website.