Join us in Riihimäki, Finland, from September 26th to 28th, 2024, for the DEFINE Hackathon powered by MIllog. This event is your chance to develop innovative solutions alongside leading defence industry experts. Register by September 15th to secure your place.
The DEFINE Hackathon, taking place in Riihimäki, Finland, from September 26th to 28th, 2024, challenges participants to explore how everyday devices and technologies can be applied in the defence and security sectors. The goal of the event is not only to create ready-made concepts, but also to inspire new perspectives and ideas with potential for further development. Millog organizes the hackathon in collaboration with the DEFINE network (Defence Innovation Network Finland).
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has accelerated defence sector development across Europe, increasing the demand for defence equipment. As a country with high-level expertise, Finnish companies have much to offer the growing defence market, both domestically and internationally. There is particular potential in technology solutions, where development on the civilian side tends to be more agile and faster compared to traditional military technology.
“There is now a demand in the defence sector for both new companies and solutions, as well as for the adaptation of existing technologies for military use”, explains General Lieutenant (res) Ilkka Korkiamäki, an advisor for the DEFINE network.
Millog is part of the Riihimäki-based DEFINE network, which aims to foster collaboration between the Finnish Defence Forces (FDF), educational institutions, and companies to generate new innovations and create high-skill jobs in the Kanta-Häme region. As a strategic partner of the FDF, Millog is renowned for its strong expertise in addressing the specific needs and operational requirements of the defence sector, making it a natural bridge between the defence and civilian sectors.
“It’s important for us to support the development of security and defence sector in Finland, as well as the creation of new defence solutions. We can also enable the testing of innovations generated through collaboration so that they are quickly deployable for the needs of the Finnish Defence Forces. At the same time, we ensure and enhance our own expertise and network, which is key to our continued success”, says Toni Piispa, chair of the DEFINE network steering group and director of Millog’s Authorities and Industry department.
Mentorship from top industry experts
The DEFINE Hackathon offers participants the chance to work alongside defence industry professionals. Finnish Defence Research Agency has been actively involved in planning the hackathon’s tasks, and their experts will serve as mentors during the event. The competition’s tasks focus on areas such as cybersecurity, disaster relief systems, unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and autonomous systems, communication networks, as well as the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect threats.
Lieutenant Colonel Juha Mäkelä, chief of the Information Technology Division at Finnish Defence Research Agency, praises the event as an exciting new venture. The Research Agency has previously participated in cybersecurity-focused hackathons, but this time the entire agency is involved. Mäkelä will also serve as one of the competition’s judges. According to him, the best-case scenario is that a new idea will emerge from the participants, leading to long-term collaboration with the FDF.
“Innovation is a new concept for the Finnish Defence Forces, and we are still learning what it might mean for us. In my mind the DEFINE Hackathon is an interesting opportunity to experiment with a new collaboration model. Our top researchers, who will act as mentors, are also quite excited to coach the teams and observe their work”, he says.
Exciting prizes and opportunities
The DEFINE Hackathon welcomes participants from both Finland and abroad. Teams can come from companies, startups, educational institutions and military, for example. Students from Häme University of Applied Sciences can earn credits for participating.
The top teams will be awarded cash prizes and tickets to the SecD-Day event in January 2025, which brings together professionals from the defense and security sectors. In addition, the winning team will have a unique opportunity to present their solution to Patria’s CEO Esa Rautalinko and experts from Finnish Defence Research Agency. The city of Riihimäki will also support local teams by providing business development services.
Registration for the DEFINE Hackathon is now open – secure your spot by September 15th and help create the solutions of tomorrow!
Millog is a strategic partner of the Finnish Defence Forces and a leading expert in maintenance, materiel services and life cycle management. Our core competence is the comprehensive maintenance and servicing of technical equipment and systems in both normal circumstances and emergency situations. We also serve civil industries for whom national security, security of supply and partnership are critical success factors.
Defence Innovation Network Finland (DEFINE) is an open network that brings together The Finnish Defence Forces, defence and security companies, educational institutions and research institutes, as well as other stakeholders in Riihimäki and the Kanta-Häme region. The aim of the network is to accelerate the innovation and development activities of the participants, and to increase the participating companies’ turnover. Millog is a member of the network’s steering group. www.definefinland.fi