This is an extract of the news announcement on the Groundstation.Space website

During the three-day event, teams of students, developers, researchers and entrepreneurs developed, prototyped and pitched ideas addressing water-related challenges using satellite data from European programmes alongside Dutch data sources. The hackathon was more than a competition for students and early-career participants. It also served as a meeting point where stakeholders from research, government and industry connected real-world water challenges with available data and solutions.

Participants worked on three core challenges: improving equitable and efficient access to water; tracking and preventing water pollution; and monitoring disaster risk. These themes reflect ongoing priorities in the Netherlands, where water management plays a central role in infrastructure, agriculture and public safety.

At the end of the long and inspiring weekend, the winners were announced and shared by Groundstation.Space.

Prize winners

The 1st prize (3000 euros) went to team Solum for a concept that enables authorities to identify high-risk areas where pollution is likely to occur. The winning idea addresses the challenge #2 of the hackathon (“Tracking and preventing water pollution”). By combining satellite data with environmental indicators, it supports more targeted inspections and earlier intervention, offering a clear pathway from data to application.

The 2nd prize (1000 euros) was awarded to team Well-D’s idea for detecting illegal groundwater extraction in response to challenge #1 (“Securing equitable and efficient access to water”). The 3rd prize (CometLab prototyping award) went to team Aegis’s solution for challenge #3 (“Disaster risk monitoring”) with an app that offers a post-alert coordination layer for EU satellite-powered disaster response.

Solum wins 1st prize: The team is advancing water quality oversight to deliver significant cost savings to farmers. The winning idea is an app that combines satellite data, geodata and national manure regulations to reduce water pollution from manure surpluses in agriculture. Discover more

Meet winning team at the NL Space Campus Network & Drinks at PLNT on 30 April >>

Expert mentorship

Over the course of the weekend, experts from many of the partner organisations were on hand to offer mentorship, including SBIC Noordwijk business coach Martin Haselhoff and Netherland Space Agency’s Kees van Duijvendijk, senior adviser satellite applications.

“Connecting capabilities to real-world needs requires collaboration between different stakeholders,” commented Kees. “Formats such as hackathons provide an open setting where people from different backgrounds, including students and professionals, can exchange perspectives and explore early-stage ideas.”

Victories all around

As they say, taking part is what counts. For all the teams and participants, opportunities extend beyond the winning teams – as a potential first step toward internships, startup support or further collaboration. As one participant Mohammad Umar from team Mountain Mapping (pictured standing in the below photo) commented:

“Despite not taking home the win, the real victory was building a working 3D simulator prototype over a weekend with an incredible team. We tackled the fascinating ‘Space for Water’ theme, leveraging space tech and data for flood intelligence and spun it into a viable business idea.”

The hackathon is part of the European CASSINI programme, an initiative of the European Commission supporting innovation and entrepreneurship based on space technologies. The Dutch heat winning team advanced to the European CASSINI competition final with further prizes and up to 100 hours of expert mentoring to further develop their project.

Read full news release on the Groundstation.Space website.

Credit for all photos: Arend Jan Hermsen, Par-Pa Fotografie

Recent water-focused posts:

Join the Dutch heat of CASSINI Hackathon – Space for Water (register by: 19 Apr)

Earth observation applications using satellite data to protect water and oceans

The post Solution addressing agricultural water pollution wins Dutch heat of CASSINI Hackathon in Noordwijk appeared first on Space Business Innovation Centre Noordwijk.

From 24 to 26 April 2026, the CASSINI Hackathon will take place at CometLab on NL Space Campus in Noordwijk, and participants are invited to explore what they can build using European satellite technologies. This edition focuses on how space technologies can support water management and environmental monitoring. In the final pre-event webinar for the Dutch heat, the challenge covering access to water will be the subject in the spotlight. The hackathon is part of the European Commission’s CASSINI (Competitive Advantage of Space Startups for Innovation) initiative. The Dutch heat is organised by Groundstation.Space with support from partners.

Securing equitable and efficient access to water

Access to safe, clean, and reliable water is fundamental to life, health and sustainable development. However, growing water scarcity, often intensified by climate change, uneven distribution and inefficient management are putting increasing pressure on communities, economies and ecosystems.

This challenge invites participants to develop products, devices or services that leverage European space data, information, and signals from Copernicus and Galileo to improve the management and efficiency of water use, promote conservation and ensure equitable access for all.

The upcoming webinar for the Noordwijk heat is much more than a way to discover about the challenge. It is also a practical touchpoint ahead of the hackathon weekend – an opportunity to ask questions, get a better sense of what to expect onsite and, potentially, connect with other participants.

Join the final Dutch heat webinar on 22 Apr: This webinar introduces the challenge for securing equitable and efficient access to water. Experts will discuss how satellite data and digital tools can support water management, improve access to water resources and contribute to sustainable use of water. The session includes expert presentations, Q&A, short participant idea pitches (1-minute) and a round-table discussion. Register

Ready to tackle global challenges and make a real impact?

Get access to EU space data and develop a solution which protects our natural water resources. Participants will receive practical introductions to Copernicus Earth observation data, Galileo navigation and EGNOS, and work in teams to develop their own ideas. Mentors from organisations including dotSPACE, NL Space Campus, Rijkswaterstaat, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), Netherlands Space Agency (formerly NSO), InnovationQuarter, Water Insight, Unmanned Valley and S[&]T will support teams throughout the weekend.

Participation is free and no prior space experience is required.

Recent water-focused posts:

Join the Dutch heat of CASSINI Hackathon – Space for Water (register by: 19 Apr)

Earth observation applications using satellite data to protect water and oceans

The post Prepare for CASSINI Hackathon at Dutch heat pre-event webinar on 22 Apr appeared first on Space Business Innovation Centre Noordwijk.

From 24 to 26 April 2026, the CASSINI Hackathon will take place at CometLab on NL Space Campus in Noordwijk, inviting students, developers, researchers, entrepreneurs and early-stage teams to explore what they can build using European satellite technologies. The hackathon is part of the European Commission’s CASSINI (Competitive Advantage of Space Startups for Innovation) initiative. The Dutch heat is organised by Groundstation.Space with support from partners.

A starting point for new skills, projects and opportunities

Participants will receive practical introductions to Copernicus Earth observation data, Galileo navigation and EGNOS, and work in teams to develop their own ideas. Mentors from organisations including dotSPACE, NL Space Campus, Rijkswaterstaat, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), Netherlands Space Agency (formerly NSO), InnovationQuarter, Water Insight, Unmanned Valley and S[&]T will support teams throughout the weekend.

The hackathon is designed not only as a weekend experience; it is a gateway into the wider space and innovation ecosystem. Participants gain practical skills, meet collaborators and mentors, and unlock opportunities to continue developing their ideas afterwards.

Participation is free and no prior space experience is required.

Three challenges focused on water

This edition focuses on how space technologies can support water management and environmental monitoring. Participants will develop solutions addressing:

• Disaster risk monitoring: Develop tools that support flood monitoring and early warning systems.
• Tracking and preventing water pollution: Explore how Earth observation can detect and monitor environmental impacts
• Securing equitable and efficient access to water: Use satellite data to monitor water availability and support resource management

Teams will have access to datasets, technical guidance and a prototyping environment at CometLab, located at NL Space Campus.

Prizes, mentoring and follow-up opportunities

The winning team in the Netherlands will receive a cash prize, along with introductions to incubation programmes, a pitch opportunity at NL Space Campus and media exposure. Local winners will also advance to the European CASSINI competition with further prizes and six months of expert mentoring to further develop their project.

Opportunities extend beyond the winning teams. For many participants, the hackathon becomes a first step toward internships, startup support or further collaboration.

KEY DATES

Hackathon starts: Fri 24 Apr (at 18:00 CEST)
Hackathon ends: Sun 24 Apr (at 18:00 CEST)
Registration deadline: Sun 19 Apr (by 23:59 CEST)
Registration links: click buttons below

PRE-EVENTS*
Webinar 1 – “Disaster Risk Monitoring” – Tue 7 Apr (at 16:00 CEST)
Webinar 2 – “Tracking and Preventing Water Pollution” – Tue 14 Apr (at 16:00 CEST)
Webinar 3 – “Securing Equitable and Efficient Access to Water” – Wed 22 Apr (at 16:00 CEST)

* These pre-hackathon online webinars are hosted by Groundstation.Space

The post Join the Dutch heat of CASSINI Hackathon – Space for Water (register by: 19 Apr) appeared first on Space Business Innovation Centre Noordwijk.