Sahlgrenska Global Health Hackathon
Interested in solving problems and/or improving healthcare?
- Just bring your interest, ideas & insights.
- We'll help you with the rest.
- Everyone is welcome!
Scroll down for sign-up links.
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Sahlgrenska Global Health Hackathon is a bold initiative that brings together students, researchers, clinicians, entrepreneurs and other individuals to help address five of the world's most critical global health challenges.
WHAT?
Sahlgrenska Global Health Hackathon is a global series of weekend innovation hackathons spanning three continents and six countries, each scheduled on different dates. This journey of collaboration and creativity will culminate in the grand finale at the NLS Days conference in Gothenburg, Sweden, in October 2025. Each hackathon brings together diverse talent to generate impactful ideas tackling critical global health challenges, driving forward advancements in healthcare.
WHY?
We’re organizing the Sahlgrenska Global Health Hackathon to tackle some of the most urgent health challenges of our time—ranging from cancer to health equality and sustainable healthcare. With healthcare systems worldwide strained by aging populations, chronic diseases and unequal access to care, we can't rely on traditional solutions alone. We need fresh new ideas, new partnerships and new technologies. By bringing together innovators, researchers, clinicians, and entrepreneurs from across the globe, we aim to foster co-action and accelerate real-world solutions that can improve health outcomes worldwide. This hackathon is more than just an event; it's a collaborative effort to drive meaningful change in healthcare, empowering a global community to contribute ideas that could one day transform millions of lives.
HOW?
Sahlgrenska Global Health Hackathon leverages personalized medicine, data-driven insights, AI and diverse expertise, welcoming coding and non-coding solutions to tackle key global health challenges
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
Sahlgrenska Global Health Hackathon is committed to creating an inclusive, diverse space, open to participants from all sectors and backgrounds. We welcome clinicians, healthcare providers, administrators, educators, AI and tech professionals, students, researchers in fields like biotechnology and health informatics, as well as experts in data science, health policy, economics, and management. Coding experience isn’t required; this in-person event aims to bring together a wide range of expertise—technical, clinical, and supportive— from a wide range of sectors, all driven by the shared goal of tackling global health challenges.
WHO ARE THE ORGANIZERS?
Sahlgrenska Global Health Hackathon is a truly collaborative event harnessing the power of industry, academia and the healthcare sector. It is organised by Sahlgrenska Science Park together with global partners - AstraZeneca, Microsoft, Mölnlycke Healthcare, AFRY, Business Region Göteborg, Boston Consulting Group, GoCo Health innovation City, PRECISEU, Pristine Agency, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital - and local organizing hosts - BioCat (Barcelona), Alexion (Boston), 7BridgesGroup (Miami), mediq Innovation Experts (Göttingen), A.Catalyst Network & HealthTEC.sg (Singapore).
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?
A representative from the team that comes up with the brightest idea from each hackathon location will be invited to present the idea in the grand final on 13 October at NLSDays 2025 in Gothenburg, Sweden!
As a participant, you will benefit from:
- Showcase your talent to leading organisations!
- Being inspired by professionals and mentors working in health innovation and life science, as well as experienced leaders from renowned startup incubators!
- Expand your professional network!
- Learning and mastering the application of Generative AI both as a tool and as a partner in the innovation process!
- Contributing to addressing global health challenges!
Everyone interested in innovating and creating solutions to improve global health and wellbeing are encouraged to participate. This includes but is not limited to software developers, healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs and students.
WELCOME!
Challenges
Challenge 1
Health equality
How can we think outside the box to leverage personalized medicine, AI and data to close gender and ethnicity health gaps, ensuring equitable access to high-quality care for all communities?
Challenge 2
F*@# Cancer
How can we act collaboratively to leverage personalized medicine, AI and data to predict, monitor and personalize cancer treatment, reducing its global impact?
Challenge 3
Forever vital
How can we leverage personalized medicine, AI and data to enhance chronic disease management and support healthy aging in a rapidly growing elderly population?
Challenge 4
Infection prevention and control
How might personalized medicine, AI and data be harnessed to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and reduce healthcare-associated infections?
Challenge 5
Smart, safe and sustainable healthcare
How can we minimize hospitals’ climate footprint, hazardous waste and emissions while improving patient (and staff) health and safety?
Sign-up here!
1-2 February 2025
SWEDEN
Locations:
Gothenburg, Malmö & Stockholm
Local hosts:
Sahlgrenska Science Park (Gothenburg)
AFRY (Malmö)
AstraZeneca Nordics & Europe (Stockholm)
22-23 February
SPAIN
Locations:
Barcelona
Local hosts:
Biocat
Sahlgrenska Science Park
AstraZeneca Spain
Microsoft
5-6 April
USA
Locations:
Boston & Miami
Local hosts:
AstraZeneca US & Alexion (Boston)
7BridgesGroup (Miami)
10-11 May
UNITED KINGDOM
Locations:
London
Local hosts:
Microsoft
24-25 May
GERMANY
Location:
Goettingen
Local hosts:
mediq Innovation Experts GmbH
Life Science Factory by Sartorius
5-6 July
SINGAPORE
Location:
Singapore
Local hosts:
AstraZeneca Singapore
A.Catalyst Network
HealthTEC.SG