On the 27th and 28th of September, the JunctionXVaasa 2025 hackathon, brought together by VES – Vaasa Entrepreneurship Society, took place at Vaasa University’s premisses. Wärtsilä and WISE Ecosystem was one of the challenge partners and we got to be onsite, following how passionate entrepreneurs, software developers, engineers, designers, economists and students came together to innovate for a sustainable future.
“We believe it is important for companies to bring real-life challenges to hackathons. This gives participants the opportunity to test their skills, push their limits, and develop innovative solutions. At the same time, companies gain access to fresh, out of the box ideas- while participants get the chance to network, stand out, and showcase their expertise in practice”, said Milena Fast & Henriikka Hintikka, Main Organizers of the Event.
Transforming data into actionable insights for sustainability
During these intense 2 days, participants focused on developing tools that turn massive amounts of data into actionable insights, aiming to reveal what matters and guide the way to net zero. In our challenge we invited participants to design a tool that integrates required sustainability metrics for sustainability reporting, and we were happy to see 21 teams of talented individuals coming together to tackle this challenge.
As the event kicked off, the atmosphere was charged with excitement and anticipation. Teams gathered, bringing diverse expertise and perspectives. The hackathon fostered collaboration and creativity, with participants working tirelessly to develop innovative solutions. Throughout the hackathon, teams brainstormed and developed prototypes that addressed the challenge of making the invisible visible.
Innovative solutions and real-world applications
Innovative solutions emerged from the teams’ hard work and creativity, showcasing unique approaches to sustainability intelligence with real-world application potential.
After the video pitches were submitted, judges deliberated and announced the shortlisted top 3 finalists for our challenge. The hackathon participants then voted for the winner. The selected winner of Wärtsilä’s challenge was proposal called HiFoSu from Team Kvarken Pöpo, which stood out for its great visuals, projections into the future, clear problem statement and resolution.
Multi-fuel analysis is an interesting area. The HiFoSu idea could help us understand different scenarios for our existing fleet. Plus, it might offer great opportunities to improve and optimize new power plants by using our current data and market information.
Eleonor Hedström, Director Next Business Lab
Participants left the event with new insights and experiences that will inspire future innovation. The JunctionXVaasa 2025 hackathon was an energising event, and it has driven progress in sustainability and fostered a culture of collaboration and creativity. By bringing together diverse talents to tackle the challenge of sustainability intelligence, the hackathon paved the way for innovative ideas that can guide us towards a net zero future.
“Wärtsilä’s challenge was highly inspiring, fostering an environment for innovation and creativity aligned with the vision of a sustainable, green future. The mentors were exceptionally helpful, providing clear guidance and valuable support that significantly enhanced our work and made the experience truly enjoyable”, concluded Team Kvarken Pöpo after winning Wärtsilä’s challenge.
Aaro Korpela, Emmi Pitkänen & Onni Ovaskainen