ISE 2026 Hackathon Calls on the Next Generation of AV Talent

	Cybersecurity Track winning team

The Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) Hackathon returned in 2026 for its second edition, a key initiative for connecting students, startups, and industry leaders.

Working against the clock in an intense, high-energy environment, participants collaborated in teams to address industry-relevant challenges across three tracks: Sustainability, Innovation, and Cybersecurity. In under 48 hours, the students developed forward-thinking solutions with guidance from expert mentors and direct access to technologies and insights across the ISE show floor.

Across all three tracks, participants highlighted how direct exposure to the ISE ecosystem expanded their thinking beyond the classroom.

One Cybersecurity Track winner described the experience as "designing for the industry standing right in front of you," with immediate feedback enabling teams to refine ideas and ensure practical relevance from the outset.

Sustainability Track winners credited direct interaction with exhibitors as key to shaping their solutions, providing valuable insights into emerging technologies and practical applications and helping them develop solutions grounded in real-world feasibility.

Similarly, Innovation Track winners pointed to the show floor as a key source of inspiration, encouraging them to rethink conventional processes and develop more engaging user experiences.

Following the intensive development phase, teams presented their final solutions at the Innovation Park Pitching Stage, with winners announced on the final day of the show.

"Designed for the brave and forward-thinking, the ISE Hackathon is where young talent tests its limits and turns skills into real AV solutions," says Pablo Vega, co-coordinator of the ISE Hackathon.

Projects addressed key industry challenges, including sustainable and inclusive AV solutions, AI-driven innovation, and securing increasingly connected systems.

"The success of the ISE Hackathon in its second year reflects the growing demand for initiatives that connect emerging talent with real industry challenges," says Mike Blackman, managing director of Integrated Systems Events. "By providing a platform for collaboration, creativity, and hands-on learning, we are helping to develop the future skills of the AV industry."

The winning teams were:

Sustainability Track (sponsored by Philips Professional Displays): Daniil Larkovskiy, Volodymyr Baranov, Alisa Turan, Mishti Ramnani (EU Business School);

Innovation Track (sponsored by Sociedad Espanola para la Transformacion Tecnologica SETT): Librada Morales Parrilla, Mariona Sillaurren Piera, Serena Wilson, Xavier Suner Rubio (CETT_UB Tourism & Hospitality, Universitat de Barcelona);

Cybersecurity Track (sponsored by Hikvision): Veronika Borysiuk, Anora Azimova, Josep Aguilera, Marc Joaquin Serra (EU Business School & Esade).

Commenting on the role of industry engagement, Xavi Marlasca, co-coordinator of the ISE Hackathon, says. "For partners and sponsors, the Hackathon provides direct insight into the next generation of professionals, their priorities, and their approach to real-world challenges. It also creates connections between students, startups, and the AV industry, reinforcing ISE's role in supporting talent development across the sector."

The ISE Hackathon will return in 2027.

ISE returns to Fira de Barcelona, Gran Via, from February 2-5, 2027.

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