DEI4SME HACKATHON I (Finland & online)
The University of Vaasa together with international partners the R&D department Room466 of the Styrian Chamber of Commerce, Austria, and E.N.T.E.R., a European networking organisation, Austria, hosted the engaging DEI4SME Hackathon I. The hackathon united ten companies from Finland and Austria, nearly 200 students, and close to 30 business, education, and sustainability experts from around the globe with the aim to explore practical cases of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in smaller businesses (SMEs).
The Hackathon I themes was "Promoting the inclusion of diverse groups in the internationalisation of SMEs" and it took place February 4-19, 2025 in a hybrid format - at the University of Vaasa campus in Finland and online.
The two-week global event highlighted key DEI challenges that small businesses must address to remain sustainable and competitive. Firms’ challenges tasked students to explore DEI issues in firm's strategy creation, strategy implementation, product and service development, and human resource management processes. Diversity dimensions featured in the challenges were related to age, diverse abilities, disability, language, ethnic background, education, gender, and socio-economic differences (e.g., access to the internet services). In addition to the hackathon activities, the company challenges were presented in a public poster exhibition at the University of Vaasa and posters remain available for a virtual visit in the post below.
The hackathon featured 15 outstanding internationally-recognized mentors and four keynote speakers from Europe (including sustainability debates leading institutions, such as EFRAG) and the USA who shared insights, guidance, best practices, and newest information about the sustainability practices and legal frameworks. Students could visit 26 open sessions and learn from these professionals in an interactive manner. The sessions also included interactions with senior managers from the participating firms (4 from Austria and 6 from Finland) and personalized coaching on the process of solution development. The prizes of the hackathon were directed to further enable growth and skill development of the participants.
The success of the DEI4SME Hackathon I, already covered in some of the major news platforms internationally, showcased that diversity can be a valuable resource for business growth and success if managed wisely. Considering diverse needs of firm’s customers, business partners and employees goes beyond an establishment of formal programs for the DEI. These are strategic decisions that managers need to make, the same way they manage any other resource in their business.
Below you can find more information about the Hackathon I, the participating companies, mentors, speakers, poster exhibition, and other activities that happened during the Hackathon I (Finland & Online).
HACKATHON I (Finland & online) NEWS
Hackathon I
Theme:
Promoting the inclusion of diverse groups in the internationalisation of SMEs
Schedule:
Live hybrid* opening event: February 4, 2025 (16-20:00 Finnish time)
Online work, expert & mentoring sessions: February 5 - 13, 2025
Submit your solution: February 13, 2025 (midnight Finnish time)
Evaluation of solutions: February 14 - 17, 2025
Live hybrid* closing event: February 19, 2025 (16-20:00 Finnish time)
Location:
University of Vaasa campus, Vaasa, Finland and online
*opening & closing events will be held on campus, but also streamed online. If you would like to attend these two events on campus, please select "in person" participation option.
Registration deadline:
January 15, 2025