Hackathon problem statements
Definition and real case examples of hackathon problem statements for your hackathon in 2024
Published on the 15th of July 2024. 7.5 min read.
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Introduction
Are you a hackathon organiser planning your next event?
We wrote this article for you to take some inspiration in writing down the problem statements to be solved by your hackathon participants, based on real use case examples.
We will provide a list of problem statements categorised by hackathon macro topic, deriving from past hackathons hosted on the Eventornado hackathon platform.
The hackathon macro topic
The hackathon macro topic is the specific field, industry, sector, area, or domain of the event.
It’s the big umbrella under which you can create several hackathon problem statements
Definition of the hackathon problem statements
A hackathon problem statement outlines the specific challenge or issue that hackathon participants need to solve.
An effective problem statement description often includes the following elements:
A comprehensive but concise description of the current state of the situation
The envisioned future state
The importance of addressing the problem
The tools or methodologies provided by the organisers to facilitate the creation of the solutions (optional)
Examples of possible and expected solutions (optional)
Crafting a detailed hackathon problem statement helps guide participants and sets the stage for innovative solutions.
Lastly, the hackathon problem statements are also called sub-topics, challenges, themes, tracks or categories.
Let’s begin with the list of macro topics and their real case problem statements.
Be inspired and have a good read!
Hackathons macro topics list
1. Web3
Event name
AIOTI - European WEB3 Accelerator - Hackathon #2
Macro topic
This event was a collaborative mission to unlock the unexplored possibilities of WEB3 technologies, transforming innovative ideas into real-world solutions for a sustainable and efficient digital future.
Organiser
AIOTI - Alliance for IoT and Edge Computing Innovation
Problem statements
2. Femtech
Event name
HackHERHealth
Macro topic
The HackHERHealth Hackathon was a hybrid event designed for participants to create solutions that help to close the gender health gap.
Organisers
This Femtech Innovation Hackathon was a truly collaborative event harnessing the power of industry, academia and the healthcare sector. It is organised under the Health Innovation West umbrella, sponsored by Astra Zeneca and hosted by GoCo Health Innovation City and Sahlgrenska Science Park.
Problem statements
3. Healthcare
Event name
Health Hack: Digital Health Nation
Macro topic
The Health Hack was a 10-day event aimed at addressing patient and HCP`s challenges, co-creating digital health solutions and forming innovation project teams. This event was organised for dreamers, innovators, or just someone with a curious and open mind.
Organiser
Problem statements
4. Data
Event name
EMODnet Open Sea Lab 3.0 Hackathon
Macro topic
The Open Sea Lab Hackathon is a unique event that brings together data and multidisciplinary scientists, software developers, social innovators, and changemakers in Europe and around the world to harness the wealth of open-source, marine data offered by EMODnet to develop solutions to Ocean challenges.
Organiser
Problem statements
5. Sustainability
Event name
ROWAD Hackathon
Macro topic
Bring together entrepreneurs and startups to develop cutting-edge solutions to challenge across five categories, namely FinTech, AgriTech, EduTech, and Sustainability Tech.
Organiser
Problem statements
6. Bitcoin
Event name
Build for Africa Hackathon
Macro topic
Build innovative applications and tools to solve African problems powered by Bitcoin and the Lightning network.
In partnership with the Africa Bitcoin Conference 2023, the Build for Africa Hackathon served as a launchpad for open innovation and collaborative problem-solving, where builders converged to generate novel ideas through an idea hack focused on tackling Africa-specific challenges, and accelerate their Bitcoin and Lightning projects through mentorship in contextual design and development.
Organiser
Problem statements
7. EdTech
Event name
EdTech Hack
Macro topic
Create visionary and sustainable ideas that can reshape the landscape of education.
Organiser
Problem statements
8. Blue Economy and Oceans
Event name
#OceanHack4EU
Macro topic
Create data-driven solutions to ocean challenges.
The participants were invited to use data and information from the EU’s Copernicus Marine Service to tackle a problem statement of their choice.
Other EU marine data providers EMODnet and EUMETSAT, data partners of the event, also supported the teams.
The event echoed Mercator Ocean International’s mission towards global ocean knowledge for a sustainable ocean aligned with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development vision.
It also reflected the aim of the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and waters” to protect and restore the health of our ocean and waters through research and innovation, citizen engagement, and blue investments.
Organiser
Problem statements
9. Space
Event name
Act In Space Sweden
Macro topic
A 24-hour hackathon of fun and creativity, to engage in cross-functional teams that worked hard to solve Challenges from Space-related industries.
Participants had the chance to turn their ideas into actual concept solutions, with the potential to make a true impact on both the planet and space industry.
Organiser
Problem statements
10. Energy
Event name
Build-A-Thon Energy
Macro topic
Build-A-Thon Energy was a hackathon for BUILDERS, welcoming all skills to build things you can see, touch and feel - electrical and mechanical engineers and product designers.
As every hardware project needs software skills, the event also welcomed software developers, UI/UX designers, and product managers. All crazy ideas were welcome
The global power and energy landscape is in crisis. The cost of energy has been growing rapidly due to the geopolitical situation. But the whole field has been undergoing changes already before - the way energy is produced, stored and used is going through a paradigm shift. The demand for energy will only keep rising with the influx of modern technology. To keep up with the rising demand, producing more energy might seem to be the only way but saving energy is also a key factor.
Organiser
Problem statements
11. Blockchain
Event name
Blockchain Hackathon
Macro topic
the hackathon aimed to build the future of Web 3.0 and discover which application potential the use of blockchain technologies will enable.
From decentralized finance to NFT, from DAO to decentralized applications, the hackathon aimed to explore how blockchain at the interplay of artificial intelligence will revolutionize fields such as industry, finance and even the services and cities of the future.
Organiser
Problem statements
Conclusion
Defining the problem statements for your hackathon can be a complex task.
As they say: “trash in, trash out”: if you provide a vague problem statement description there’s a high chance you will receive hackathon ideas and solutions that will not be aligned with your hackathon purpose.
The problem statement description must not be too long to avoid discouraging the idea proposals, but also can’t be too short, preventing the participants from receiving key information to work on.
We can help you write your hackathon problem statements, providing the perfect description, deriving from our past hackathon experience.
Get in touch today to talk about it.