May 4th – 7th, Vigo (Spain) –
Free to attend
Registration deadline: April 27
Four days to turn real biotech challenges into actionable solutions.
The BioHackathon is an international, multidisciplinary competition designed for PhD candidates and early-stage researchers who want to put their knowledge to the test against real problems posed by Galician life sciences companies.
Registration deadline: April 27
The BioHackathon is open to PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers from any discipline. A biotech background is not required — we are looking for diverse teams where biology, engineering, management, design and other fields work side by side.
What we do need is curiosity, a collaborative mindset and the ability to make decisions under time pressure.
The hackathon is structured around four progressive working blocks of intensive guided activity.
Each team receives a real challenge proposed by a company in the sector and works through a structured methodology to reach an actionable solution.
Challenge analysis, identification of the affected user and definition of the core problem.
Structured idea generation and development of a tangible prototype.
Validation of the solution’s feasibility and return estimation.
Preparation and delivery of the final presentation before the evaluation committee and the challenge company.
Teams receive continuous facilitation and expert guidance throughout the process.
Final solutions are presented on Thursday 7 May before an evaluation committee made up of company representatives and sector experts.
The BioHackathon has a clear purpose: to build bridges between academia and the biotech business community.
We want participants to leave with more than a solution on paper — with real experience of interdisciplinary teamwork, meaningful connections in the sector and a fresh perspective on how to translate scientific knowledge into concrete answers.
Connect research talent with real challenges from the Galician biotech sector
Foster interdisciplinary teamwork through a structured innovation methodology
Develop skills in prototyping, business modelling and scientific communication
Generate solutions with real implementation potential, validated by the companies themselves
Build lasting connections between the research community and the national and international biotech ecosystem
Finalist teams will receive official recognition at the closing ceremony of Galicia Biodays 2026.
All participants will be awarded a certificate of participation in the BioHackathon.
The most outstanding solutions will be showcased to the scientific and business community gathered at the event.
No. The BioHackathon is designed to be accessible to any PhD candidate, regardless of their research area or prior experience with this type of event. The methodology is guided step by step and facilitators are available throughout the entire process.
No. Participation in the BioHackathon is free of charge. The event includes all hackathon activities, working lunches and the social programme scheduled across the event days. The only expenses not covered are accommodation and dinners.
You do not need to bring a team. The organisers form the groups, bringing together complementary profiles to enrich the working dynamic. If you are attending with colleagues and would like to work together, you can indicate this in the registration form.
The event is international in nature, so the main working language is English. The registration form collects your English proficiency level to help form balanced teams. The ability to work in bilingual environments is a plus.
The challenges are proposed by real companies from the Galician biotech sector.
Each company presents a specific problem and a technology objective, and teams work to develop a viable solution. The challenges are revealed at the start of the hackathon.
Solutions are presented before a committee made up of the challenge companies and sector experts.
The most outstanding ones receive recognition at the Galicia Biodays closing ceremony.
One of the goals of this experience is also to give companies — whether challenge providers or Galicia Biodays attendees — the opportunity to consider taking the most promising proposals further. This would always be at the companies’ own initiative and on a case-by-case basis.
Yes, the BioHackathon is fully in-person. It takes place in Vigo from 4 to 8 May 2026, as part of Galicia Biodays 2026. The opening session is held at the Auditorio Mar de Vigo, and the working sessions take place in the historic area of Vigo, right in the heart of the city.
Yes. The BioHackathon is a continuous experience and the working blocks are cumulative — each phase builds on the previous one. Participants are expected to be present throughout the full duration of the event.
All participants receive an official certificate of participation and are introduced to the challenge companies. Finalist teams are publicly recognised at the closing ceremony of Galicia Biodays 2026.
Through the registration form available on this page. The form collects information about your research profile, field of knowledge, English level and prior hackathon experience, in order to form the best possible teams.
Yes, all hackathon participants hace access to Galicia Biodays 2026.
