Digital Fair Portal of the City

Design a system for streamlined registration, reservation, and payment of fees for market vendors, eliminating the need for paper confirmations while respecting processes essential in the municipal environment. The system should be applicable for the city of Revúca as well as other municipalities or public administration entities.

  • Prize money for the winner: 3000 €
  • 31st January - 1st February 2025
  • 365.labb, Banská Bystrica

Aftermovie

Initial situation

The city of Revúca regularly organizes fairs during the summer and winter seasons, with the conditions for selling products and providing services at occasional markets regulated by the municipal decree no. 163/2023. The vendor registration process involves submitting an application in paper form and selecting a provisional sales location.

The municipal office manually processes the submitted applications, verifies the accuracy of the information, and may request additional details from the vendor if necessary. A list of reserved spaces is then published on the city’s website and must be regularly updated. On the day of the fair, vendors are issued paper permits, and physical checks are conducted to ensure that vendors occupy the correct spaces and display their issued permits in a visible location.

Aim of the hackathon

Finding the most suitable digital and innovative solution to simplify and streamline fair-related processes, including vendor registration, space reservation, fee payment, and permit issuance, while ensuring compliance with municipal regulations.

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Challenge of the hackathon

Design a system for streamlined registration, booking, and payment processing for fair vendors, eliminating the need for paper confirmations while respecting the necessary processes within a municipal environment. The system should be applicable for the city of Revúca as well as other municipalities or public administration entities.

Expected solution

A refined conceptual design/concept/prototype of a digital fair portal for the city, integrated into the current city website or as a third-level domain.

Public Portal – Features for Vendors:

  • Submission of applications and vendor registration for the fair
  • Unique vendor identification
  • Selection of booth size and reservation of a specific space with color-coded mapping
  • Digital processing of attachments (e.g., receipt with e-cash register number)
  • Payment processing for booth space through a payment gateway
  • Generation of payment and reservation confirmations
  • Option to cancel booth reservations

Admin Interface – Features for the City of Revúca:

  • Data verification via the Statistical Office portal – trade license validation
  • Generation and dispatch of editable permits
  • Generating notifications about issued permits for the financial administration

Winners

First place
Team Plus

During the hackathon, they designed a system that simplifies, speeds up, and above all, makes the administrative work of event organizers in Revúca more efficient. It offers a wide range of tools, including digital management of applications, reservations, and payment processing. They also considered the needs of vendors, providing them with a user-friendly application management system and the ability to easily verify participation through a generated QR code.

"The challenge was educational—we learned a lot about how fairs operate in different regions. The best part is that we’re all classmates, so this victory stays within our faculty. Our school and the academic sector brought us together, and we even managed to earn some money,"
said Matúš Koleják, a member of the winning team.

Second place
Team Incomodum

Their solution, called VirtuFest, is a digital platform for managing fairs and cultural events that simplifies organization for cities, vendors, and visitors alike. Organizers can create events, manage zones using an interactive map, and automate vendor applications. Vendors can set up profiles, register for events, and pay rental fees online. Visitors have access to an interactive map with filtering options based on vendor ratings and offerings. The platform is scalable across Slovakia and, thanks to AI integration, supports multiple languages.

"The challenge suited us well—it was design-oriented, which is our strong suit. We learned that sometimes less is more, and it’s essential to nail the fundamentals that can be built upon rather than getting lost in unnecessary details,"
shared Daniel Adam Czaja, a team member. "The competition was tough, and we’re really happy to have placed. Second place is amazing," added Lucas Ligas.

Third place
Team jarmOK

When designing their system, they followed the IDSK 3.0 unified design principles, ensuring consistency and clarity across government websites. They created an intuitive registration form that allows vendors to register easily while also being accessible to visitors who want to browse the fair’s stalls. Their solution stood out for its intuitive design, setting it apart from competitors. The entire system is complemented by an administrator interface, allowing easy modifications and management of settings.

"Our team was formed just before the hackathon began. I came alone as a solo hacker, thinking teams would be assembled on-site, but I quickly realized that most participants already had teams. Two guys approached me, saying they were just a pair and asked if I wanted to join. Since we didn’t know each other, the biggest challenge at first was organizing ourselves—figuring out our strengths, weaknesses, and how to collaborate effectively. By the end of the first day, we had synchronized, and from there, everything just clicked,"
shared Adam Jankech, a team member, reflecting on their third-place success.

List of Mentors and Experts

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Peter Remiš

Consultant MIRRI SR

Peter is a fan of digital technologies and innovations.He is actively engaged in designing and developing web applications, portals, online solutions, as well as online marketing. At MIRRI, he is currently working on creating functional prototypes for citizens' real-life situations and collaborating on projects aimed at developing IT systems for public administration. In …

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Martin Korček

Senior developer and project manager, QPC s.r.o.

Martin is a graduate in the field of IT management with deep knowledge of information technologies and their effective management. Currently, he works as a consultant and IT solutions architect, where he leverages his professional skills and experience to design and implement complex information systems. His goal is to assist companies in achieving their IT objectives and …

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Lucia Lanáková

Project manager

Lucia worked in the Department of Strategy and Project Management at Bratislava Staré Mesto, where she actively participated in the development of the city district by preparing and implementing strategic documents and development projects. With over 15 years of experience, she has been dedicated to the preparation and execution of development projects within both the …

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Bibiana Jankóšiková

Head of Regional Development and Project Manager, City of Revúca

Bibiana specializes in strategic planning, project management, and the development of regional initiatives. Her extensive professional experience includes team leadership, coordination of projects co-financed by European funds, and the development of sustainable solutions for cities and municipalities. She has implemented projects focused on soft skills in the social and …

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Miriama Simanová

Environmental Department Officer, City of Revúca

Since April 2019, Miriama has been organizing fairs in the city of Revúca. Over the past two years, she has contributed to the organization of County Markets in Revúca, which aim to support regional producers from the Banská Bystrica region.

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Stanislav Búšovský

Information Systems Officer, City of Revúca

Stanislav has been working as an Information Systems Officer at the Revúca City Office since 2001. He is responsible for managing the city's website and ensuring the technical operations of the city office. He has extensive experience with information systems and technologies used in municipal administration.

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Peter Senko

Chief Information Security Officer, IT CRAB

Peter specializes in cybersecurity and information security. Previously, he served as the Director General of the Project Management and IT Section at the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic, where he managed ICT operations. At the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic, he contributed to the preparation of strategic documents approved by the Slovak …

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Gabriel Kothaj

Business Developer and Operations Consultant, Inspirea s.r.o.

An expert with almost two decades of experience in process management and optimization across various industries, including manufacturing, logistics, retail, services, and healthcare. During this time, he has learned how to create efficient processes and streamline business operations. He gained experience at Toyota, where he worked as an internal logistics specialist. As …

Show more

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Mária Ursínyová

Regional Counters Manager, BBSK Development Agency

Since 2019, I have been part of the BBSK Development Agency, where we launched the "REGIONÁLNE" project. This initiative includes an online store featuring products from local artisans in the Banská Bystrica region and their sale through physical counters located in hotels, restaurants, and information centers. In 2022, we expanded our activities to include "Župné Trhy" …

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is behind the Hackathon?

The owner of the topics of the Hackathon is the City of Revúca.

How is the "team" defined?

The minimum of 2 people including a speaker e.g. a person that will present the idea, and understands the business and the challenge; and a tech expert who is able to create a prototype or a clickable version of the application / web / product.

What are the ideal roles for our hackathons?

The goal of our hackathons isn’t to program an entire solution but to develop a comprehensive concept. It’s crucial to focus on the feasibility of the solution during its creation and presentation, as this heavily influences the jury’s decision on the winning project. Before arriving at the hackathon, define the roles within your team. Leverage each member’s strengths to save time and avoid conflicts. One person can take on multiple roles, but having clarity helps. 

  • Analyst
    Thinks analytically and can quickly understand and map out processes or data structures. Often, technical problems stem from flawed processes, so it’s beneficial to outline, comprehend, and propose adjustments to these processes before suggesting a technical solution.

  • Designer
    Understands the design process and knows that a picture is worth a thousand words. By creating sketches or wireframes, the designer quickly brings the proposed product to life. This makes it easier to iterate on ideas and test solutions with users. Whether you stick to sketches or refine the design, it’s an excellent way to present your product.

  • IT specialist
    Has a strong grasp of technical matters. If you’re designing a software product, this could be a software architect or developer who outlines the technical architecture of the solution. While coding is a plus, it’s not the primary goal. If you decide to code, focus on components that can be completed within the timeframe and set you apart from the competition.

  • Product manager
    Rozumie biznis potrebám a problémom zákazníka. Spoluprácou a spájaním informácií od ostatných členov tímu potom smeruje výsledný produkt tak, aby riešil problémy ako zákazníka, tak aj koncového používateľa a bol realizovateľný v stanovenom čase a rozpočte.

  • Salesperson
    Actively communicates and represents your team during the hackathon, especially when presenting your product to the jury. They believe in the product, can highlight its strengths, address customer business problems, and emphasize the benefits for end users.

Môžem meniť zloženie tímu aj počas hackathonu?

Zloženie tímov sa môže meniť pred hackathonom. Zloženie tímov je nemenné počas hackahtonu, to znamená, že nemôžu počas hackathonu, po oficiálnej registrácii a check-in pribudnúť nový člen tímu, ktorého meno alebo emailová adresa neboli uvedené pri registrácii alebo pri check-in v úvodný deň podujatia.

What will happen after filling out the application?

As soon as you submit your application, a member of the hacknime.to team will contact you within 24 hours (either by email or by phone) with further information and the procedure.

Can I be not selected for the hackathon?

If you register after the capacity is full or you will not match the criteria for the participating teams, you will not be chosen as the participant.

What are the selection criteria for contestants? What do I have to fulfill?

The basic scoring scale includes:

  • Experience in the IT and TECH industry or

  • Experience in design thinking procedures or

  • Experience in the so-called sprint procedures, SCRUM master certificate or

  • Experience in drawing up business plans, new businesses, creating prototypes or MVP or

  • You are a high school student focused on computer technologies, economics, business or design (both product and digital) or

  • You are a student of a university focused on computer technologies, economics, business or design (both product and digital)

  • If you do not meet any of the above criteria, you can still prove that you have personally participated in at least two hackathons in the past (it is necessary to prove the output of these events)

If as an adept (or combined your team) meets at least two requirements from the above criteria, you have the right to participate in the hackathon. The more requirements you fulfill, you move up in the ranking.

What is a conflict of interest?

A conflict of interest represents a situation where a personal interest motivates or could motivate a judge/mentor/organizer employee/topic owner/competitor to act against the best interests of the hackathon. Involvement of these individuals in activities where a conflict of interest occurs or may occur is not allowed. Such activities include:

  • Influencing mentors and judges to gain an advantage for themselves or a close person, financially or otherwise,

  • Influencing individuals working for the organizer, the ministry, or a company with a supplier or partner relationship with the organizer,

  • Intentional modification of solutions by mentors or possible one-sided mentoring in favor of some participants,

  • Formation of a competition team by a mentor, judge, or person working for the organizer, topic owner, or the ministry,

  • and others.

If a participant identifies a conflict of interest, they are required to immediately and verifiably inform about the conflict of interest. If a participant fails to report circumstances that could lead to a conflict of interest, this fact will itself constitute a violation of these principles and may result in the disqualification of the competition team at the hackathon. The decision on disqualification is made by the organizer.

Can I participate in the event if I am under 18 years old?

A person under 18 years of age may participate in the event only after completing and submitting a parental/legal guardian consent form to the organizer or when accompanied by a parent/legal guardian throughout the entire duration of the event.

When is the deadline for registration?

Teams or individuals will be able to register until December 29th, 2025, or until the maximum capacity is reached.

Is there capacity for the attendees?

The attendee capacity is up to 60 people.

How will the best solution be evaluated at the hackathon?

Task Fulfillment / Relevance / Functionality:

  • Score by the jury: 1 to 20

  • The solution / POC / MVP / Software relates to the theme of the hackathon and the defined challenges.

  • The solution / POC / MVP / Software works and meets at least the basic user functions.

Idea / Originality, Uniqueness, Creativity

  • Score by the jury: 1 to 15

  • How creative is the idea behind the solution / POC / MVP / Software?

  • How original is the solution / POC / MVP / Software?

  • Is it something that hasn’t been done before, and unique compared to competitors?

User Experience / Added Value (or technical design for solutions without a frontend)

  • Score by the jury: 1 to 15

  • Is the overall user experience intuitive?

  • Does the solution / POC / MVP / Software make sense from a UX perspective?

  • What will be the impact (in terms of scope) and added value of the solution / POC / MVP / Software for the target audience?

Feasibility / Implementability / Viability

  • Score by the jury: 1 to 35

  • Does the solution / POC / MVP / Software actually work? Is the solution / POC / MVP / Software easy to scale?

  • Is there potential for the solution to be realized with the resources that are realistically available?

  • How relevant and applicable is the use of the solution / POC / MVP / Software for solving the given challenge?

Presentation to the Jury

  • Score by the jury: 1 to 15

  • Quality of the presentation, visual aspects, content, and delivery in an engaging manner.

The maximum number of points a team can earn is 100.

What happens if the participating team comes to the hackathon with a pre-prepared solution?

The organizer and owner of the hackathon theme has the motivation to bring, based on the innovative hackathon event, new solutions for our company, improvement of existing available solutions or otherwise innovate the current state. The competition team can come to the hackathon with a ready-made solution, but it must be visibly demonstrated that, thanks to the hackathon, consultations with mentors and experts, the transformation of its ready-made solution into the final form for the requirements of the Topic Owner took place.

Can I be disqualified?

A team may be disqualified by the organizer if caught cheating, copying solutions from other teams, making audio or video recordings, plagiarism, or any other form of copying from other teams, misusing information from other teams, illegally obtaining data from other teams, creating content with the intention of harming other participants, or otherwise violating the ethics of the competition. Anyone who witnesses unfair behavior must inform the organizer.

Suspicion of disqualification can be reported by members of the competition teams, mentors, or the theme owner’s team or the Organizer. Suspicion of unfair behavior must be reported personally to the Organizer. The team or team member who has violated the rules will be asked to leave the hacking area. To ensure the smooth progress and continuation of the hackathon, the disqualification of a team will be announced to other participants during the next break.

Can I withdraw my team during the hackathon?

Teams can withdraw at any time during the hackathon. Merging of teams is not allowed after the initial check-in of the teams. A team that wishes to withdraw must notify the organizer in person.

Is it possible to hack both physically and online during the event?

For the physical hackathon, in-person attendance of the team is required. However, in case of need or personal circumstances, it is possible for a team member to participate and hack online.

Is there a fee for attending the hackathon?

Participation is free of charge. All costs are covered by the organizer.

Can the hacking continue during the night?

Yes, participants will be allowed to continue hacking during the night.

The organizer does not provide sleeping bags, mattresses, beds, or other accommodation directly at the hackathon venue. Drinking water and showers are available throughout the entire hackathon. Each competing team is assigned one access card, allowing them to enter and exit the designated hacking area at any time during the event.

What is required from the attendee and what will be available in the premises?

Each participant needs to bring his / her own laptop or any other hardware that he / she needs to work on challenges. Other things will be provided by the organizer such as WiFi, food for the whole day (buffets, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and drinks).

What is the official language of the hackathon?

The official language is Slovak. However, some keynote lectures and workshops may also be held in English.

Is there any catering during the event?

The hackathon organizer guarantees full meals and snacks throughout the entire event in the form of buffets. Drinks are provided as well.

Prize money pre víťazné tímy

Prvé tri miesta, ktoré porota vyhodnotí ako najlepšie budú ocenené prize money nasledovne:

  1. Prvé miesto : 3000 Eur

  2. Druhé miesto: 2000 Eur

  3. Tretie miesto: 1000 Eur

What will happen after the hackathon in case I win?

Winning teams will have a chance to participate in the development and implementation of the solution in cooperation with the topic owner.

What does it mean to win a hackathon and what are my requirements afterward?

The winning teams enter into a licensing agreement for their solutions developed during the hackathon (the license applies only to what was created during the hackathon). This is a non-exclusive license that is limited to the territory of the Slovak Republic and is unlimited in time. This means, it does not limit the author at all in the dissemination of his work as part of his commercial activities. On the contrary, the owner of the topic (always a public administration institution) is authorized to distribute the license in the interest of the economy within public institutions. The author remains the owner of the work, the owner of the topic has only such a non-exclusive license. In addition, if the winning teams do not agree on the implementation of the winning solution with the Theme Owner, the winning prize money may not be returned to the Organizer.

Do you want to be part of the next step towards Slovakia’s digitalization?

Prize money

  1. First place 3 000 €
  2. Second place 2 000 €
  3. Third place 1 000 €

Simply fill out the registration form, and we will contact you in due time with all the details. You will receive information about the competition, updates, and specifics of the challenge.

Download

In this section, you will find all the necessary documents and materials to help you prepare for the hackathon. Whether it’s the rules, schedule, or technical requirements, everything you need is in one place.

Peter Remiš

Consultant MIRRI SR

Peter is a fan of digital technologies and innovations.He is actively engaged in designing and developing web applications, portals, online solutions, as well as online marketing. At MIRRI, he is currently working on creating functional prototypes for citizens' real-life situations and collaborating on projects aimed at developing IT systems for public administration. In the past, he worked for an extended period in the telecommunications sector. There, he was involved in online marketing, managing and developing online sales, optimizing and automating sales processes; and designing and creating online and e-commerce solutions.

Martin Korček

Senior developer and project manager, QPC s.r.o.

Martin is a graduate in the field of IT management with deep knowledge of information technologies and their effective management. Currently, he works as a consultant and IT solutions architect, where he leverages his professional skills and experience to design and implement complex information systems. His goal is to assist companies in achieving their IT objectives and optimizing their technological processes. With a passion for IT and a commitment to continuous learning, he is well-prepared for the challenges of the digital era and delivering innovative solutions.

Lucia Lanáková

Project manager

Lucia worked in the Department of Strategy and Project Management at Bratislava Staré Mesto, where she actively participated in the development of the city district by preparing and implementing strategic documents and development projects. With over 15 years of experience, she has been dedicated to the preparation and execution of development projects within both the private and public sectors, spanning innovation, science and research, environmental protection, and human resource development.

Bibiana Jankóšiková

Head of Regional Development and Project Manager, City of Revúca

Bibiana specializes in strategic planning, project management, and the development of regional initiatives. Her extensive professional experience includes team leadership, coordination of projects co-financed by European funds, and the development of sustainable solutions for cities and municipalities. She has implemented projects focused on soft skills in the social and migration sectors, collaborated on the nationwide project Revúca – City of Culture 2022, and provided expert oversight for many city projects, such as capacity management, education, and cybersecurity.

Peter Senko

Chief Information Security Officer, IT CRAB

Peter specializes in cybersecurity and information security. Previously, he served as the Director General of the Project Management and IT Section at the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic, where he managed ICT operations. At the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic, he contributed to the preparation of strategic documents approved by the Slovak Government, including the National Concept for the Development of State Archives and the Strategy for the Protection of Archival Documents. At the Slovak National Gallery, he participated in projects for the reconstruction of the SNG building and the launch of its operations. He holds a doctorate in security sciences from the Academy of the Police Force in Bratislava, focusing on the multidisciplinary protection of information. Additionally, he completed an MBA program in cybersecurity.

Gabriel Kothaj

Business Developer and Operations Consultant, Inspirea s.r.o.

An expert with almost two decades of experience in process management and optimization across various industries, including manufacturing, logistics, retail, services, and healthcare. During this time, he has learned how to create efficient processes and streamline business operations. He gained experience at Toyota, where he worked as an internal logistics specialist. As part of his work at Toyota, he participated as a mentor in international hackathons at Toyota manufacturing plants. Later, as a consultant, he participated in numerous optimization projects for manufacturing and logistics processes for a variety of companies. Today, he is part of the company Inspirea s.r.o.

Mária Ursínyová

Regional Counters Manager, BBSK Development Agency

Since 2019, I have been part of the BBSK Development Agency, where we launched the "REGIONÁLNE" project. This initiative includes an online store featuring products from local artisans in the Banská Bystrica region and their sale through physical counters located in hotels, restaurants, and information centers. In 2022, we expanded our activities to include "Župné Trhy" (Regional Markets) and Christmas Regional Market in Banská Bystrica, which significantly support the sale of regional products. The Župné Trhy are held annually in seven towns across BBSK, and we collaborate with over 90 local producers and farmers. I am particularly excited about the planned initiative in the town of Revúca, as I find the process of registering artisans for various events challenging. Any streamlining of this process will be a valuable contribution.