Fincantieri Maritime Dual-Use Hackathon | Build the Software-Defined Vessel

about this event

The Fincantieri Maritime Dual-Use Hackathon comes to San Francisco, October 16–18.

Following the first edition in Rome, which brought together 70+ participants, including Italian Navy engineers, and produced five working prototypes, the challenge now crosses the Atlantic to the Bay Area's deep-tech ecosystem.

Over 48 hours, engineers, developers, founders, researchers and designers will form teams to build working solutions around real maritime and defense engineering challenges, with access to technical mentors, development hardware and potential opportunities to continue developing the strongest concepts beyond the event.

Challenge Tracks: OT Cybersecurity & Blast Radius Analysis; Piping Layout Optimization; Software-Defined Vessel

Build with Real Hardware: Participants will have access to a selection of Qualcomm and Arduino technologies during the hackathon, including Snapdragon-powered laptops, edge AI and robotics development platforms, Arduino prototyping hardware and supporting developer tools.

These tools are intended for hands-on technical development. Participants with experience in areas such as software development, embedded systems, electronics, robotics, edge AI, computer vision or hardware prototyping will be best positioned to take full advantage of them.

Qualcomm and Arduino technologies will be introduced during the opening session so teams can quickly understand the available resources and integrate hardware, edge AI, computer vision, sensors or robotics into their prototypes. Exact hardware configurations will be shared with participants ahead of the event.

More Than a 48-Hour Hackathon: The goal is not only to build a prototype, but to identify ideas with the potential to continue developing after the event.

Work on real Fincantieri challenges with potential relevance to future maritime and defense applications. Compete for a Qualcomm-powered laptop awarded to the winning team. Develop your concept beyond the hackathon: selected promising prototypes may have the opportunity to continue evolving. Access Fincantieri expertise: winning and particularly promising concepts may receive mentoring from Fincantieri's network of experts to help further mature the solution and explore its potential application within Fincantieri. Connect with leading technical talent from industry, academia, venture capital and the defense innovation ecosystem.

Partners & Ecosystem: The hackathon is organized in collaboration with Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) and FLEETWERX. Qualcomm is the main technology sponsor, supporting participants with hardware, development resources and technology expertise throughout the event. Additional experts from Fincantieri, academia, industry, venture capital and the defense innovation ecosystem will support teams through mentoring and judging.

What to Expect: 48 hours of hands-on building and prototyping; Real technical challenges provided by Fincantieri; Access to Qualcomm and Arduino hardware and development resources; Mentors and domain experts supporting teams throughout the event; Collaboration with engineers, founders, and researchers; A Qualcomm-powered laptop prize for the winning team; Potential follow-on development opportunities for the most promising concepts.

No maritime background is required. However, this is a hands-on technical hackathon, and participants should be ready to contribute directly through software development, AI/ML, embedded systems, cybersecurity, robotics, engineering, CAD/optimization, product design or prototyping.

Come with a team or find one at the event.

To help us maintain an accurate headcount, a $20 refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot. The deposit will be fully refunded when you attend the event. Spots are limited — register early to secure your place.

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