Hack for fun and a noble purpose
Last weekend, I had the pleasure of being part of Open Hackathon 2025 in Athens, an exceptional activity organized by the Open Conf team, held at INNOVATHENS and entirely volunteer-driven. With “Innovate for Accessibility” as the main theme, 17 teams came together to pitch and hack their solutions aimed at improving the lives of people with disabilities. It was a high-spirit and fun event, empowered as an act of care, learning, and purposeful creativity.
What motivated me most was the vibrant community that took shape over the weekend. Teams didn’t just code for the competition — they listened and clearly empathized. Mentors and volunteers gave their time freely, driven by the same deep belief that there are people around us for whom accessibility matters. This wasn’t about prizes. It was about people.
Over the three days, teams tackled a range of real-world challenges. From vision and hearing impairments to neurodivergent needs, every prototype reflected thoughtful problem-solving. I personally learned more about Rett syndrome and epilepsy than I ever had before. Another powerful observation I made is that some teams had first-hand insight into the issues they tackled, either through a member’s personal experience or via a close connection. Others built entirely from a place of empathy, deeply immersing themselves in the lived experiences of those with accessibility needs. This wasn’t just about understanding, it was about designing with care.
It’s easy to talk about accessibility in abstract terms. But being in a space where every idea had a human story behind it, that changed something in me. I left with a renewed sense of responsibility to not just build for people, but with them. I took a lot from the energy this community carries, which was an unforeseen outcome in the first place.
“I really enjoyed the connection with all the teams that took part in the hackathon and was quite impressed by the outcomes of the winning teams.”
If you’re curious to see what came out of the weekend, keep an eye on the event’s website, the team will soon be sharing videos from the pitching sessions, and I highly recommend diving into each of the proposed solutions. You might discover something that resonates or sparks a collaboration.
On a final note, special thanks to all the sponsors who made this event a reality. Notably, Starttech Ventures continues to show genuine support for community-driven efforts like Open Hackathon, and that’s something I truly appreciate.