Digital twin of the city of Prešov
An innovative digital city model concept which, at its core, offers the ability to simulate various scenarios, provide immediate responses to emerging questions, and predict their real-world impact.
- Prize money for the winner: 3000 €
- 20. - 21. October 2023
- Museum of Salt, Prešov

Aftermovie
Initial situation
To develop an innovative concept of a city model, the core idea is to simulate diverse scenarios in energy, transportation, the environment, security, urbanization, and waste management. This enables direct responses to emerging questions and the assumption of their real-world impact.
In the initial phase, it will be a concept proposal focused on one of the areas that pertain to city operation and management. However, the city of Prešov envisions the existence of a comprehensive solution in the future—a data and management platform.
Aim of the hackathon
The city of Prešov aims to initiate the process of creating a digital twin, which will enable better future planning, simulation of projects, and their risk assessment before the actual implementation. Through this hackathon, Prešov seeks to inspire the professional community to develop new and innovative digital services, enhance the city’s open data capabilities for informed decision-making and municipal planning, and improve experience for both citizens and visitors.


Challenge of the hackathon
Develop a detailed and viable prototype for a digital twin of Prešov city, enhancing services and efficiency for residents and city administration in one of the specified areas.
Thematic areas in which the city of Prešov expects the creation of concepts for the digital twin:
- System for storing and collecting data from the communication platform and call center
- Urbanization and planning based on demographic development in the city
- Display of layers and regulations of the land plan
- Energetics and energy consumption of city buildings or buildings of municipal organizations
- Management of static and dynamic traffic
- Complex monitoring and evaluation of the environment (temperature, air quality, noise, amount of sunlight, etc.)
- Safety and prediction of dangerous situations and phenomena
- Waste management (sorted waste, bulk collection, large-capacity containers, dog excrement bins, etc.)
Expected solution
The expected concept proposed during the hackathon must:
- Be based on a real urban environment
- Take into account the current state of data availability
- Allow for possible expansion and be scalable
- Include an API to detect changes in the data
Dáta dostupné pre hackerov počas hackathonu
- Catalog of open data
(also on DATA.GOV.SK), which are created during the performance of activities from the individual competences of the local administration of the City of Prešov
View catalog - Catalog of open geographic data
Catalog of open geographic data
View catalog
Winners

First place
Team nolimit
They proposed a solution that enables the measurement of the immediate electricity consumption of Prešov buildings, the publication of data in the city’s data warehouse and the visualization of consumption for any time unit.
“We thank the city for addressing topics that were specific, and the pilot solution could be presented directly at the hackathon venue. We chose real-time data collection for the city’s new data platform in combination with current needs in the field of energy, where the result should be measurement and subsequent saving.”
Matej Lukáč

Second place
Team ZARF
The solution they proposed deals with the interpretation of data from the data warehouse of the city of Prešov and their display in such a way that they are usable and understandable for administrative workers and ordinary citizens.
“Another in a series of Slovakian hackathons, when we can confirm that it is a leading technological event in terms of preparation, organization and execution. In Prešov, we could also see that the city is still dominated by a strong share of the young and passionate generation, who have shown that they care about their city and want to move it, as well as their country, forward.”
Marek Gogoľ

Third place
Team Džawľ
Their designed solution uses real-time data from sensors, takes into account unused rooms and free days, evaluates deficiencies and intelligently adjusts heating according to this data to prevent unnecessary energy consumption.
“The Prešov Digital Twin Hackathon is a great opportunity to find innovative ideas and connect talents into teams that can turn into start-ups. SPŠE Prešov has been educating young innovators for a long time for hackathons or other opportunities and thus systematically contributes to the city’s digital future.”
Martin Šechný
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is behind the Hackathon?
The owner of the topics of the first Hackathon is the City of Prešov.
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.
Can I change the team composition during the hackathon?
The team composition can be changed before the hackathon. However, it remains fixed during the hackathon, meaning that no new team members whose names or email addresses were not provided during registration or check-in on the event’s opening day can be added after the official registration and check-in.
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 October 18th, 2023, or until the maximum capacity.
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 35
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 10
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 5
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:
Prvé miesto : 3000 Eur
Druhé miesto: 2000 Eur
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
- First place 3 000 €
- Second place 2 000 €
- 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.
Miloslav Michalko
Geospatial data specialist
Miloslav specializes in geospatial technologies, within community GIS projects and regional strategic planning. He is an enthusiast in using open GIS mapping tools and OpenStreetMap to support regional development. He works as an assistant professor at the University of Prešov, where he leads the EUthmappers international project with the aim of creating a European network of enthusiastic mappers at secondary schools, whose task is to generate high-quality spatial open data for decision-making, especially in humanitarian and environmental crisis management. He also participates in the European project Catching-Up Regions, where he focuses on the deployment of information systems for spatial information (SDI) in regional municipalities in Slovakia.
Mariana Hurná
IT, administration of the information system of the city of Prešov
Knowing the processes at the office, where a large amount of information that can be of great interest to the public is collected and processed daily, in 2012 she initiated the introduction of an automated way of publishing live datasets, reports and map visualizations in a nicely structured form with an open license for use. With this initiative, the city of Prešov became a leader in the field of OPEN DATA in municipalities.
Michal Hricišín
Software developer with a focus on technical leadership
Michal started his career as a PHP developer and over the years developed into a position of expert in both frontend and backend technologies. In addition to his technical skills, he also has economic knowledge in the field of marketing and management. He currently plays a key role as Product Owner in one of the most important projects at bart.sk, which deals with the digitalization of the Slovak Football Association. In his position, he manages the overall direction of the project and ensures its technical implementation. In addition, he also holds the position of CTO, where he uses his technical knowledge and passion for innovation to manage and develop the company. His technology portfolio includes a wide variety of tools and solutions, including MongoDB, Google Cloud Platform, Graph QL or the various uses of Rest APIs.
Ján Staš
Assistant professor at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics TU Košice
He has more than 15 years of experience in natural language processing (NLP), focusing on the creation of dictionaries and statistical language models for automatic fluent speech recognition systems, automatic question-answering systems, and machine learning-based dialog systems such as chatbots and voicebots . Recently, he has also been involved in the analysis and detection of the presence of stress in speech and the analysis of hate speech, offensive language and toxic content on social networks. He is a member of the European Online Hate Lab initiative coordinated by the European Commission, which brings together NLP experts from 11 EU countries. Currently, as part of a project aimed at creating a 3D digital image of the landscape, he specializes in the field of dendrology, automatic passportization of greenery, monitoring the vitality and health of trees, monitoring the operational safety of trees and monitoring the microclimate and water use by above-ground biomass using infrared thermography, digital photogrammetry and 3D laser scanning.
Denis Sedlák
Manager of the development of the local ecosystem, Slovak Space Agency
Denis works as a manager for the development of the local ecosystem in the industrial department of the Slovak Space Agency. He studied at HEIP in Paris and MGIMO in Moscow, focusing on international relations. He has a background in the venture capital sector, in the Slovak Space Office he is responsible for searching for new investment opportunities. He is also a co-founder of 2 early stage startups.
Matúš Bakoň
Executive manager of the research and development company insar.sk
Matúš is a graduate of the Slovak Technical University in Bratislava, majoring in geodesy, cartography and remote sensing of Earth. His activities are focused on monitoring the stability of objects and infrastructure through satellite radar interferometry (InSAR). After gaining experience in remote sensing laboratories around the world (ČVUT in Prague, Leibniz University Hannover, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, UTAD Portugal), where he was involved in the development of satellite monitoring systems, he worked as a visiting researcher at the German Space Agency (DLR), at department of Software and Simulation Technologies. He currently works as a manager of the research and development company insar.sk s.r.o. which developed an award-winning platform (remotIO) for continuous monitoring of deformations and support of early warning systems for monitoring landslides and strategically important objects (dams, highways, airports) and at the same time as a guest lecturer at the Department of Finance, Accounting and Mathematical Methods of the Faculty of Management, Economics and Business in Prešovská University in Prešov.
Peter Remiš
Consultant MIRRI
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.