In Yekaterinburg, a joint hackathon by Sberbank and Ural Federal University highlighted youth-led tech innovations aligned with the city’s 300th anniversary. The event showcased three top projects crafted by schoolchildren and university students, demonstrating how young minds can tackle real-world challenges in ecology, sports, cultural events, and inclusive access.
Officials from the financial institution described the winning solutions as demonstrations of practical impact, designed to address everyday issues faced by residents and visitors. The culmination of the competition occurred at the Sber technology center, underscoring the venue’s role as a hub for regional tech development and collaboration between industry and academia.
Over 130 young participants gathered from across Russia, including Yekaterinburg, Moscow, Chelyabinsk, Omsk, Perm, Rostov-on-Don, and Magnitogorsk. They organized themselves into 38 diverse teams, each racing to convert ideas into working software within a 24-hour sprint. The goal was clear: produce apps that could be deployed to improve city life and community engagement.
Three practical cases guided the 24-hour challenge. One project, Hello Yekaterinburg, focuses on informing residents and guests about upcoming events, helping to create a more connected urban experience. Another concept, ChitAI Gestures, uses an artificial intelligence model to recognize continuous Russian sign language, aiming to bridge communication gaps for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Big City Ecology presents a system to monitor and improve ecological health through city-wide signals and notices, encouraging proactive environmental stewardship.
The judging panel selected the three strongest concepts based on innovation, feasibility, and potential social impact. The winning teams were Invers, One-button scarves, and Pincode suits, each receiving recognition alongside a main prize of 100,000 rubles to support continued development and scaling of their solutions.
Speaking about the event, Stanislav Kuznetsov, deputy chairman of the board at Sber, noted that the partnership with Sber’s new technology center in Yekaterinburg positions the city for a significant leap in its IT capabilities. The center is envisioned as a magnet for talented young individuals ready to contribute to high-stakes digital projects and advanced infrastructure within the bank’s broader technology ecosystem.
Kuznetsov added that the location has already become a focal point for developers and aspiring technologists, drawing participants from all over the country who arrive with enthusiasm and a drive to achieve meaningful, tangible outcomes. The hackathon finals reflected a culture of curiosity and achievement, showcasing how youth-led innovation can shape the future of technology across industries and cities alike.