What is a COLOURS Hackathon?
A hackathon is an intensive innovation workshop, usually lasting several days, in which students, researchers and regional stakeholders work together to develop creative solutions to current challenges. Within the COLOURS University Alliance, hackathons are a central component of collaborative and practical learning.
COLOURS hackathons follow a dynamic innovation process: "Dream it" - develop ideas, "Make it" - create prototypes, "Test it" - validate solutions, "Share it" - present results. Regional challenges are addressed, which are defined jointly by students and partners. The aim is to drive innovation, promote entrepreneurial thinking and create sustainable solutions with real added value for society.
These hackathons are open to all students from COLOURS partner universities as well as external interested parties. They offer a unique opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary way, develop new skills and make valuable contacts with regional companies and institutions. Particularly innovative projects also have the chance to receive financial support or further development at the Student Entrepreneurship Centre (SEC).
With a total of at least 27 hackathons over the course of the project, the COLOURS universities strengthen the innovative capacity of their regions and support students in turning their ideas into reality.
COLOURful Impact - Shape Your City
26-28 June 2025 | Accelerator Paderborn
Join us in shaping the city of tomorrow - creatively, sustainably, smartly. At the COLOURS Hackathon, committed students, researchers, entrepreneurs and creative minds from all over Europe come together in interdisciplinary teams to develop ideas for a sustainable, liveable urban future.
Organised by COLOURS Students and supported by the Smart City Team of the City of Paderborn, the hackathon has a clear goal: to empower students to become designers themselves and to take responsibility - for your projects, your team and your city.
What can you expect?
Real-life challenges relating to sustainable mobility, green energy, intergenerational living and more
Mentoring & workshops from experts in urban development, business and research
Hands-on training: learn how to organise a hackathon yourself - from the idea to the pitch
Who is it for?
For anyone who wants to make a change: Students, visionaries, inventors, designers, and enablers - from all disciplines and from all over Europe. Previous knowledge? Not necessary. Your commitment counts!
Interested? Join us by registering here
Application for students
CoLab in Paderborn
To take part in a CoLab in Paderborn, you can apply by sending a short application with details about yourself, your background and your motivation to cospace.colours@upb.de.
CoLab in a Partnerregion
An application is required to participate in a CoLab in a partner region. Please complete the application form provided and send it together with the following documents by e-mail to cospace.colours@upb.de:
- Curriculum vitae
- Letter of motivation (max. one page)
- certificate of enrollment
Up to two people can be selected per CoLab. If you are a student, an assignment will be created based on your application. You will receive all further information on the application deadlines and selection process as part of the call for applications.
Travel Expense claim form
If you are selected for a CoLab in a partner region, you can apply for reimbursement of travel expenses. Please note the following steps:
After your trip, please complete the travel expense claim form. Submit the completed form together with the following documents:
- Original receipts and invoices for travel and accommodation
- Signed confirmation of assignment (you will receive this when you are selected)
- Certificate of participation from the respective COLOURS partner
Please send the documents by e-mail to basel.myhub@uni-paderborn.de (with cospace.colours@upb.de in the CC). Make sure you keep all receipts carefully and only submit them after the trip.
Further information on which costs can be reimbursed can be found on the official website for business trips.
Not a student, but would like to participate in a CoLab?
Please send us an e-mail with details about yourself, your background and your motivation to cospace.colours@upb.de.
