HiQ hosts NASA International Space Apps Challenge

HiQ will be hosting the NASA International Space Apps Challenge in Malmö, Sweden. The hackathon is held for the tenth year in a row and engages thousands of people from all over the world every year. The mission is to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in space and our planet for 48 hours.

"It is super exciting to arrange NASA's Space Apps Challenge! We have some fantastic collaborators and competencies to bring to the table and look forward to receiving many applications for what promises to be the event of the year. I am a fan of all things space-related, so it feels great to be involved with this. At HiQ, we are passionate about creating a better world, and what could be better than solving some of the biggest challenges facing us both on Earth and in space?" says Ivar Mørch, CEO at HiQ.

For the tenth year in a row, NASA holds the global hackathon, the NASA Space Apps Challenge, a heavy-weighter within its category. The event was first held in April 2012 and serve as an innovation incubator and a civic engagement programme. Each year it brings together thousands of bright minds from all over the world to collaborate, brainstorm and find solutions to crucial problems. The hackathon involves putting NASA's very own free and open data for use for 48 hours. Individuals with different backgrounds and skills collaborate in teams to build innovative solutions and solve some of the most pressing challenges facing us on Earth and in space.

This year, HiQ has been appointed as Location Lead and will be organizing the event in Malmö, Sweden. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the event will be virtual, but HiQ will broadcast the event from its office in Malmö. So, get ready for a rocketing weekend like never before! Registration is still open, and all sharp and creative minds are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

"We are proud to be a part of the NASA Space Apps Challenge this year. It will be immense fun to organize and be a part of this global mega event. We have super sharp skills, and we know we can reach a great bunch of people out there, so hurry up and register for one of the most exciting events this fall. As usual, the challenges tackles some of the world's most important topics, giving the participants the opportunity to make a real difference to the world," says Erik Ridman, CMO at HiQ.

The hackathon will take place from 2–3 October 2021. Some of the challenges in focus include mapping space debris in real-time, calculating the risk of COVID-19, finding ways to use AI and machine learning to monitor, discover and quantify plastic pollution, calculating the risk of landslides in rural areas, and much more. Or why not come up with a challenge of your own? Hackathons will be held locally with own juries and some great prizes up for grabs. The winning contributions locally will be sent on for global consideration. NASA will handle the global consideration process, and the finalists for the Global Awards will be announced after 4-6 weeks. NASA will then announce the final winners in January 2022.

Sign up today:
https://2021.spaceappschallenge.org/locations/malmö/
https://2021.spaceappschallenge.org/challenges

About NASA International Space Apps Challenge:
The NASA International Space Apps Challenge is a global hackathon for coders, scientists, designers, storytellers, makers, builders, technologists, and others in cities around the world, where teams engage NASA’s free and open data to address real-world problems on Earth and in space.

For one weekend each October, participants from around the world come together over a 48-hour period to solve challenges submitted by NASA personnel. After the hackathon, project submissions are judged by space agency experts and winners are selected for one of 10 Global Awards.

Space Apps introduces problem-solvers worldwide to NASA’s free and open data. By using NASA data to solve each year’s challenges, Space Apps teams learn about NASA’s data, and share in the creation and application of the knowledge that results.

Space Apps also inspires collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. Our mission is to leverage this interest to encourage the growth and diversity of the next generation of scientists, technologists, designers, storytellers, and engineers.

At HiQ we simplify people’s lives by using tech, design and creativity to build smart solutions, businesses and brands. We are convinced that tech development is the best way to make the world better, sustainable, smoother, safer – and more fun. From four guys in 1995 we are today a tech consultant company in five countries with close to 1,600 brilliant coders, creatives and businesspeople. Since 2020 owned by Triton, our base is in the Nordics, but our solutions make imprints all over the planet.