ZEEUS Hackathon, Transforming the Sustainability by Design (SbyD) Excel Tool into a Web Application, Register Now!
As part of the European Union-funded project ZEEUS- Zero Emissions Entrepreneurship for Universal Sustainability, the Institute for Applied Material Flow Management (IfaS) of the Trier University of Applied Sciences (TUAS) is pleased to invite participants worldwide to join the ZEEUS-Hackathon with the topic Transforming the Sustainability by Design (SbyD) Tool (Excel) into a Web Application.
The hackathon will be conducted fully online from 6 April to 9 April 2026, starting at 09:00 AM Central European Time (CET) on the opening day.
Participation is mandatory on the first and final day. The opening session will include the official introduction to the ZEEUS project, presentation of the Sustainability by Design Excel tool, and explanation of the challenge and expectations. On the final day, teams will present their solutions to the jury, followed by the award ceremony.
During the intermediate days, participants may work independently and offline on their developments. To ensure continuous support, a one-hour live Q&A session will be held at 11:00 AM CET on the second day, providing participants with the opportunity to ask questions and receive technical or conceptual guidance from the organizing team.
About the ZEEUS Project
ZEEUS is an international initiative that strengthens innovation and entrepreneurship capacity within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) by fostering sustainable, impact-driven venture creation. The project promotes innovation, knowledge transfer, and entrepreneurial education through international cooperation and supports the development of digital and climate-focused solutions.
A key objective of the project is the development of the Sustainability by Design digital tool, which supports decision-making by enabling users to assess sustainability, financial, and life-cycle impacts of products, services, and innovations.
Hackathon Challenge
The objective of the hackathon is to develop a web-based application that fully or partially replaces the functionality of the existing Sustainability by Design Excel tool.
Participants will:
- Analyze the Excel-based tool and its logic
- Design and develop a web-based user interface
- Create a functional prototype demonstrating core features
- Propose technical concepts for future implementation
The focus is on improving usability, accessibility, and digital integration, supporting sustainable innovation and decision-making.
There are no heavy restrictions regarding programming languages, technologies, or the use of artificial intelligence tools. Find the technology and architecture planning for the event
Technology & Architecture Planning Document – ZEEUS Hackathon
Who Can Participate
The hackathon is open worldwide to:
- Students
- Researchers
- Developers
- Designers
- Sustainability innovators
- Any interested individuals
Participation is possible:
- Individually, or
- In teams of up to four members
Please note that participation is denied for individuals representing companies and businesses.
Prize
The winning team will receive: €1,000 Cash Prize
In addition, participants will gain valuable experience, visibility, and the opportunity to contribute to the development of an innovative sustainability tool within the ZEEUS project.
Finalists will present their solutions to an expert jury on the final day.
Legal Terms and Conditions
Participation in the hackathon requires acceptance of the official terms and conditions.
The full legal framework, including participation rules, intellectual property rights, and prize conditions, is available here:
Terms and conditions of participation Hackathon ZEEUS
Registration and Further Information
Further details, including the hackathon agenda and registration form, are available here: Register now
Contact
If you have any questions, please contact:
Trier University of Applied Sciences (TUAS) – Environmental Campus Birkenfeld
Institute for Applied Material Flow Management (IfaS)
Jan Weiten, Project Manager. Email: ed.supmac-tlewmu@netiew.j or
Navoda Senanayake, Project Manager. Email: ed.supmac-tlewmu@ekayananes.n