Hackathon Nicaragua
| Formation | 2017 |
|---|---|
| Founder | INATEC |
| Type | Event |
| Headquarters | Nicaragua |
Key people | Loyda Barreda (General Director) |
Hackathon Nicaragua is the country's official open innovation and technology festival with international certification.[1] Since its initial conceptualization in 2017, it has facilitated the creation of hundreds of prototypes aimed at solving strategic national needs within a 48-hour marathon competition[2] through coordinated collaboration between academia, public institutions, and Nicaraguan youth.[3][4]
History
Beginnings
On November 25 and 26, 2017, the country's first technology festival took place.[5] The mentors for this first edition of the program underwent a training process to qualify for an international certification.[6] This foundational event was organized jointly by the Ministerio de Educación (MINED), the Instituto Nacional Técnico y Tecnológico (INATEC), and the Consejo Nacional de Universidades (CNU).[3][4] During the first edition, a total of 144 young people organized into 24 multidisciplinary teams worked continuously for 32 hours to conceptualize and program web and mobile applications.[7]
Since its first edition, the platform has mobilized more than 15,000 protagonists from different educational levels and regions of the country.[8] Throughout this consolidation path, the country's creative minds have generated a cumulative total of 441 mobile application and web platform prototypes, directly involving more than 5,000 participants in intensive technical development dynamics.[2] This journey has marked a transition from basic interface design proposals to the integration of advanced technologies, including offline artificial intelligence systems, decentralized financial architectures, georeferencing, and industrial process automation.[9]
Institutional Model
The creation and sustainability of Hackathon Nicaragua stem from a state policy driven by the Government of Reconciliation and National Unity (GRUN), aimed at empowering national youth talent and combating multidimensional poverty through technology.[10] The platform operates under the direct oversight of the National Education Commission, which integrates the efforts of more than 20 government institutions to ensure that the programming challenges address real territorial demands. INATEC fulfills the role of fostering the Creative Economy by promoting talent, skills, abilities, and knowledge.[11]
Operational coordination and strategic design of the platform are led by the General Director of INATEC, Loyda Barreda.[12] This inter-institutional coordination is complemented by the active participation of key figures from the public administration, including Salvador Vanegas, Presidential Advisor on Education Issues;[13] Humberto González, Secretary of Creative and Orange Economy of the Presidency of the Republic;[14] and Darling Hernández, head of the Ministry of Youth and coordinator of the National Council of the Juventud Sandinista.[15] This governance structure ensures that the national competition receives continuous methodological, logistical, and financial backing, connecting the technological solutions developed by students with national economic development plans.
Strategic Purpose and the National Network of Mentors
Beyond its competitive nature, the platform's purpose seeks to be inclusive.[16] The formulation of the competition's challenges is carried out annually through inter-institutional technical roundtables that identify high-priority needs in areas such as public health, inclusive education, the environment, cultural tourism, agricultural development, and commercial entrepreneurship.[17]
Each participating team must mandatorily incorporate at least one woman into its development, marketing, or design ranks. This affirmative action measure has successfully worked to counteract the historical gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
To provide technical support and viability for the participants' projects, the platform consolidated the National Network of Mentors.[1] This multidisciplinary network is composed of technical education teachers, researchers, and university specialists certified at national and international levels in agile methodologies, programming languages, design, and digital marketing.[18] The mentors provide continuous guidance ranging from the ideation phase to the post-event incubation of outstanding projects, ensuring the evolution of a simple classroom prototype into a minimum viable technological product.[19]
The consolidation of this training ecosystem reached a milestone in 2020 with the inauguration of the Francisco “El Chele” Moreno National Center for Innovation and Technology (CI Nicaragua).[20] This center operates as a public digital academy and as the official space responsible for the business incubation program for technology startups emerging from the Hackathon Route.[21] Through CI Nicaragua, winning teams receive advanced technical training, intellectual property legal mentoring, and financing to formally structure their software ventures in the national market.[22]
Methodological and Logistical Structure
The co-president of Nicaragua, Rosario Murillo, has detailed the preparations for the technological activity “Hackathon Nicaragua”.[23] The development of the competition is formally structured through a semester-long methodological program known as the Creative Route.[24] This training and evaluation path guarantees the filtering and technical refinement of prototypes before their presentation at the final festival.
The Creative Route consists of well-structured sequential phases:
- Registration and Consulting (May - June): The official open call period for multidisciplinary teams of 3 to 5 members in the Amateur, Advanced, and Startups categories. During the tenth edition in 2026, this phase was scheduled between May 8 and June 15. Direct guidance sessions are held with the teams to outline their selected challenge.
- Core Training and Mentoring (June - July): In-person and virtual workshops aimed at structuring the business idea and the functional prototype, utilizing collaborative dynamics of Design Thinking and disruptive innovation.
- Regional Ideathons and Pitch (August - September): Decentralized events across various economic zones of the country (such as León, Estelí, Juigalpa, Carazo, Bilwi, Bluefields, and Managua). In these gatherings, teams defend the viability of their proposal via a business pitch before a qualifying jury. This phase accounts for 30% of the total qualifying score for the national festival.
- National Technical Evaluation (September): A thorough review of the source code developed in public repositories, user interface design (UX/UI), and digital marketing strategies (representing the remaining 70% of the qualifying score).
- Technology Festival and Demo Day (October): The culminating national gathering held annually at the Olof Palme Convention Center in Managua. During a continuous 30-to-48-hour coding and design marathon, qualifiers finalize and deploy their prototypes.
The Olof Palme Convention Center is organized spatially and logistically into specific environments to enhance the technical and academic experience of the participants:[25]
- Disruptive Innovation Hub: A continuous technical development area where teams code their platforms in record time.
- Disruptive Thinking Hub: A continuous training space hosting dozens of lectures by international experts on cybersecurity, the internet of things, and artificial intelligence.
- Hack-Camping: An immersive leisure environment designed for team integration and participant relaxation.
- Startup Hub: An interactive technology showcase dedicated to presenting consolidated businesses from previous editions to investors and national institutions.
Winners and Featured Projects
The historical record of winning projects serves as an indicator of the platform's growing technical complexity. Simple educational video games and informational databases dominated the early editions, whereas contemporary editions record platforms geared toward digital financial inclusion, offline agricultural remote sensing systems, and specialized chatbots for agricultural technical assistance.
The following tables rigorously detail the teams and applications that achieved the top places in each edition, classified chronologically to better track the competition's technological evolution.
Foundation and Institutionalization Period (2017-2020)
During this initial three-year development span, the competition was characterized by establishing the methodological foundations of intensive programming, highlighting high-impact proposals in social inclusion and the cultural preservation of communities.[26]
| Year | Category | Winning Team | Origin / Institution | Project Name / Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Unique | Elemental Brainers | - | Expres App |
| 2017 | Unique | NewObjectHack | - | MiBebe |
| 2017 | Unique | Digitalwolves | - | Nicaragua Storbook |
| 2018 | Amateur | Team TE UNAN | UNAN Managua | App Guía de Salud en tu Manos |
| 2018 | Amateur | DevSocket | - | GrowingTools |
| 2018 | Amateur | StandBook | León | StandBook |
| 2018 | Experienced | Soluciones informáticas Matagalpa | - | HOTEL MANAGEMENT |
| 2018 | Experienced | Turingcod | - | zoneg Nic |
| 2018 | Experienced | Digital Chaos | - | SmartRide |
| 2019 | Expert | Digital Warriors | Estelí | Bee Safe |
| 2019 | Expert | Gear Second | Chontales | Experience |
| 2019 | Expert | Cacao | Chontales | Cacao |
| 2019 | Advanced | Team Wan Tasbaya | Managua | App Miskito |
| 2019 | Advanced | Onyx | León | Onyx |
| 2019 | Advanced | Noni Team | Managua | Noni |
| 2019 | Amateur | Tecnho Team | Managua | ¡Mi Expresión Escrita Cuenta! |
| 2019 | Amateur | Mantis Team | Managua | Uncover Maps |
| 2019 | Amateur | DevSocket | Managua | Easy Wallet |
| 2020 | Amateur | Pro Culture | León | Escombro |
| 2020 | Amateur | Droid | Carazo | Redep |
| 2020 | Amateur | Tecno Attack | Carazo | Tecno Training |
| 2020 | Advanced | Marios Programing | Chontales | Sistema Informático de ROP Herap |
| 2020 | Advanced | Novita Team | León | Novita |
| 2020 | Advanced | AC/DC Team | Managua | A GEC 3 |
| 2020 | Startup | Team Wan Tasbaya | Managua | UHUNG |
| 2020 | Startup | Tecno Team | Managua | Mi expresión cuenta |
| 2020 | Startup | Digital Warriors | Estelí | Bee Safé |
Technical Maturation and Specialization Period (2021-2023)
This three-year period was characterized by the creation of fixed categories (Amateur, Advanced, Startup) and the mandatory inclusion of complex artificial intelligence technologies alongside the automation of agricultural and industrial processes.[27]
| Year | Category | Winning Team | Origin / Institution | Project Name / Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Amateur | Sinister Town | Chontales | Sinister Town |
| 2021 | Amateur | - | Managua | Enseñanza mejorada en realidad aumentada |
| 2021 | Amateur | EDUNIC | Carazo | EDUNIC |
| 2021 | Advanced | Omicron Uno | León | Omicron Uno |
| 2021 | Advanced | - | Estelí | Gota Inteligente |
| 2021 | Advanced | - | León | Agro Solution |
| 2021 | Startup | Techno Team | Managua | Mi expresión cuenta |
| 2021 | Startup | - | Estelí | Explora |
| 2021 | Startup | - | León | Magudali |
| 2022 | Amateur | TECNOINNOVA | Carazo | EMERGENTE |
| 2022 | Amateur | Syntax | Estelí | MoaT |
| 2022 | Amateur | Snake´s | Estelí | HealthLink |
| 2022 | Advanced | Innovation | Chontales | Whipala |
| 2022 | Advanced | Poultry | Carazo | Sistema para el control de crecimiento y engorde de pollo |
| 2022 | Advanced | Templarios | Chontales | PsycoHelp |
| 2022 | Startup | Stardust-dev | Managua | Macrofinca |
| 2022 | Startup | Quamtun-Code | León | Napet |
| 2022 | Startup | ACRUX | Managua | Agni Pasteur |
| 2023 | Amateur | Tamugas | UNAN-Managua | Tamugas |
| 2023 | Amateur | LOGICCRACFTERS | Masaya (Centro Tecnológico) | - |
| 2023 | Amateur | Tux boys | León (UNAN-León) | - |
| 2023 | Advanced | Legends_Nica | Chontales (FAREM Chontales) | Legends_Nica |
| 2023 | Advanced | Caballo Bayo | Matagalpa (FAREM Matagalpa) | - |
| 2023 | Advanced | Web Wizards | León (UNAN-León) | - |
| 2023 | Startup | Health Innovision | Chontales (FAREM-Chontales) | Health Innovision |
| 2023 | Startup | DBS | Estelí (Centro Tecnológico) | - |
| 2023 | Startup | ThreeForce | Managua (UNI) | - |
Contemporary Period and Disruptive Innovation (2024-2025)
In this timeframe, developed technologies reached an evident commercial maturity, incorporating complex tools within specialized digital commerce, integrated financial models, and real-time logistics networks.[28]
| Year | Category | Winning Team | Origin / Institution | Project Name / Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Amateur | Chrono Coders | Chontales (UNI) | Recetario / Identidad a través de platillos |
| 2024 | Amateur | Cartoonito Sport | - | Plataforma de Reclutamiento de talentos deportivos |
| 2024 | Amateur | DREAMERS | - | Sistema para el monitoreo de Tilapia |
| 2024 | Advanced | Boomerang | UNAN-Managua | Wēdo |
| 2024 | Advanced | Synapse | UNAN-Managua | MiSeña |
| 2024 | Advanced | Agronova | CUR-Carazo | Chatbot de asistencia técnica agrícola |
| 2024 | Startup | XoloDevs | UNI / UAM / Univalle | Ganado en línea |
| 2024 | Startup | Team Murphy | - | Digital Healthcare Wearables |
| 2024 | Startup | Quesillo Solutions | - | Plataforma de aprendizaje de programación |
| 2025 | Amateur | Nacatamal | Managua (UNI) | - |
| 2025 | Amateur | BIT Nicaragua | Centro Tecnológico Ricardo Morales Avilés | - |
| 2025 | Amateur | Civil Hud | Centro Tecnológico Ernest Thalmann | - |
| 2025 | Advanced | ProActive | UNICA | - |
| 2025 | Advanced | Michinica | Centro Tecnológico Ernest Thalmann | - |
| 2025 | Advanced | INNOVA KIDS | Centro Tecnológico Gaspar García Laviana | - |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Redacción TVN (23 May 2026). "INATEC certifica a más de 100 mentores del Hackathon Nicaragua 2026". Canal 2 (in español). Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Hackathon Nicaragua". Nicaragua Creativa (in español). Comisión Nacional de Economía Creativa. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Hackathon Nicaragua 2017". Tecnológico Nacional (INATEC) (in español). 25 November 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Hernández, Alex (27 November 2020). "Arranca cuarta edición del Festival Tecnológico Hackathon Nicaragua 2020". Viva Nicaragua (in español). Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ Cerón, Tania (15 November 2017). "Managua será la sede del Festival Tecnológico Hackathon 2017". El 19 Digital (in español). Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ Obando, Ashly (20 May 2026). "Más de 100 mentores reciben certificación internacional para Hackathon Nicaragua 2026". TN8 (in español). Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ Duarte, Maryorie (28 November 2017). "Consejo de Educación sostiene encuentro con ganadores del festival "Hackathon Nicaragua 2017"". Tecnológico Nacional (INATEC) (in español). Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ Duarte, Maryorie (27 August 2025). "Centro Nacional de Innovación y Tecnología: 5 años impulsando talento y emprendimiento digital". Tecnológico Nacional (INATEC) (in español). Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ Redacción Central (13 May 2026). "Hackathon Nicaragua 2026: diez años inspirando innovación". Viva Nicaragua (in español). Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ Redacción Central (8 May 2026). "«Hackathon Nicaragua 2026» innovación y desarrollo tecnológico". Radio La Primerísima (in español). Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ López, Wiston (July 2021). Economía Creativa y su contribución al cumplimiento de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) en Nicaragua (PDF) (Master's thesis) (in español). University of Valladolid. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
- ↑ Redacción Confidencial (25 August 2022). "La Prensa seguirá haciendo periodismo: confiscación carece de base jurídica". Confidencial (in español). Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ "Hoy inicia el ciclo escolar 2024". Radio ABC Stereo (in español). Estelí. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ Redacción Central (23 April 2026). "Lanzan evento abierto sobre innovación". Radio La Primerísima (in español). Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ "Mujeres de la JS son premiadas con cargos de ministras". Artículo 66 (in español). 29 July 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ Cueva, Daniel (3 September 2024). "Hackathon 2024: Un recuento de los equipos inscritos, un vistazo a las mujeres tecnológicas". Tecnológico Nacional (INATEC) (in español). Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ García, Ashlie (29 November 2018). "Inicia el II Festival Tecnológico más grande del país "Hackathon Nicaragua 2018"". Viva Nicaragua (in español). Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ "La Red Nacional de Mentores se prepara para la 8va. edición de Hackathon Nicaragua". Universidad Abierta en Línea de Nicaragua (UALN) (in español). Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ "INATEC fortalece capacidades de mentores rumbo al Hackathon Nicaragua 2026". Canal 6 (in español). 26 February 2026. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ Guevara, Gabriela (29 January 2025). "Potencia tus habilidades: Cursos de innovación y tecnología en el «Chele» Moreno". TN8 (in español). Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ Peña, Antenor (20 June 2024). "Aprovecha: cursos gratis y especializados en «El Chele» Moreno". TN8 (in español). Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ Quintanilla, Abrildalessy (27 September 2022). "INATEC Nicaragua announces start of specialized innovation courses". TN8 (in español). Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ Muñoz, Tamara (19 May 2026). "Universitarios y programadores se preparan para el «Hackathon Nicaragua» 2026". TN8 (in español). Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ "Hackathon Nicaragua 2025: Ruta Creativa e inscripciones para el evento tecnológico más grande del país". El 19 Digital (in español). 14 August 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ Redacción Central (25 August 2025). "Centro de Convenciones Olof Palme abre sus salones en la Casa de los Pueblos para eventos". El 19 Digital (in español). Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ García, Ashlie (3 December 2020). "Ganadores de hackaton 2020 intercambian experiencias en Tecnología". Viva Nicaragua (in español). Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ Consejo de Comunicación y Ciudadanía (11 October 2021). "Compañera Rosario Murillo en Multinoticias (11-10-21)". El 19 Digital (in español). Retrieved 28 May 2026.
- ↑ "Dos proyectos del CUR Estelí se llevan los primeros lugares en importante Concurso Nacional". Radio ABC Stereo (in español). Estelí. 31 October 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2026.
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