After the successful Think Tank activity at the European Space Agency, which gathered 86 students and 117 professors and researchers, the EELISA Community Sustainable Buildings, Cities and Communities (SusBCC) has kept working towards their mission of accelerating the transition of buildings, cities, and communities into environmentally, economically and socially sustainable agents through education.
In line with this topic, on the 5th to the 8th of June 2023, the community celebrated the SUSBCC – PEHK: PROPTECH Entrepreneurship Hackathon, with the aim of creating a comprehensive vision to generate new entrepreneurial and business ideas in the field of architectural sustainability.
Students, professors, researchers and professionals from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Université PSL and Istanbul Technical University gathered at ETSAM: Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura de Madrid (UPM) for a four-day event which fostered the awareness and commitment of tomorrow’s European professionals.
In this EELISA Narrator episode, UPM PhD student, Mahshid Cheraghi, shares her experience as a member of the most-awarded “start-up” group.
The PEHK Proptech Entrepreneurship Hackathon took place in Madrid at the ETSAM: Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura de Madrid (UPM) from June 5th to 8th, 2023. An event that focused both on cutting-edge technology as well as business strategies and marketing plans, it proved to be an incredibly useful and enriching program for all participants.
The program provided a unique opportunity to expand knowledge and gain practical experience in the field of proptech entrepreneurship. By engaging with real-world projects and being exposed to the latest technologies and methodologies, participants were able to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and its application in the industry.
Through the field trip to the research center, guided by experienced faculty members and students, we were introduced to advanced technology and equipment used in the PROPTECH industry. This firsthand experience deepened our understanding of the practical aspects of the field and allowed us to see the technologies in action.
The informative lectures on project management, entrepreneurship skills and tactics, and presentation skills further added to our knowledge and skill set. We learned about effective strategies for launching a proptech venture, managing projects efficiently, and honing our presentation abilities to effectively communicate our ideas.
The program’s focus on the Internet of Things (IoT) and new technology currently being implemented in practice was particularly valuable. Participants were exposed to cutting-edge methodologies that are shaping the future of the proptech industry. This exposure to the latest trends and developments empowered us to think innovatively and apply these technologies to our own projects and research.
Despite the challenges presented by the hackathon, the program was an incredibly enjoyable and fun experience. Working on real-life projects alongside other participants from diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise created a dynamic and collaborative environment. The challenges we faced during the hackathon fostered creativity, problem-solving skills, and teamwork.
The PEHK Proptech Entrepreneurship Hackathon not only provided valuable knowledge and practical skills, but it also served as a platform for networking and collaboration. Interacting with experts and fellow participants allowed for the exchange of ideas and perspectives, broadening our horizons and providing inspiration for future endeavors. As participants, we were able to use the knowledge and experience gained from the program to enhance our research and academic pursuits. The program’s emphasis on real-world applications and the incorporation of cutting-edge technologies will undoubtedly prove beneficial in our future endeavors in the proptech industry.
Overall, the PEHK Proptech Entrepreneurship Hackathon was a highly useful and transformative program. It expanded our knowledge, challenged us to think outside the box, and provided a fun and rewarding experience. The skills and insights gained during the program will undoubtedly contribute to our future success in the field of proptech entrepreneurship.
Visit to the IoT Lab in Madrid. Photo by Elena Mora (EELISA UPM).
Representatives of the winner start-ups. From left to right: Code Comply, Comfort Oasis and Hybrid Bee, third, second and first price respectively. Photo by Elena Mora (EELISA UPM).
Full SusBCC PEHK family at ETSAM
Would you like to learn more about the event and the people who participated in it?
We invite you to listen to the 5th episode of our EELISA Podcast, where we will be interviewing Mahshid, along with other main personalities that made this event possible.
More about Mahshid:
Mahshid Cheraghi is a dedicated PhD researcher at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, specializing in Smart City solutions and citizen-centric urban regeneration.
Her background in architecture and interior architecture helps her bring a unique perspective to her research and work. She has always been fascinated by the potential of technology to transform urban environments and improve the lives of residents. That’s why her research focuses on the intersection of Smart City solutions, citizen engagement, and sustainable urban development.
Within the Department of Duyot, she actively investigates cutting-edge approaches to create smarter and more livable cities. Drawing on her expertise in architecture and interior architecture, she strives to seamlessly integrate technology with the built environment, creating holistic and inclusive urban experiences.
Building a strong European academic community from the ground up
An article by Dr. Başak Demireş Özkul
“We were participating in the European Engineering Learning Innovation and Science Alliance – EELISA Proptech Hackathon that took place June 5–8th at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM). The event I was attending focused on finding sustainable, efficient, and digital solutions for buildings. Jointly organized by EELISA coordintaor UPM, and members ITU and Budapesti Műszaki és Gazdaságtudományi Egyetem (BME), it served as a stepping stone for the European Engineering Learning Innovation and Science Alliance (EELISA) — an initiative aimed at addressing the challenges posed by the UN Sustainable Development Goals. As part of the Sustainable Buildings, Cities and Communities (SusBCC) community, I was meeting the partner institutions for the first time. While we had participated in network-wide events remotely, it was the face-to-face interaction during this event that truly brought us together.”
Dr. Başak Demireş Özkul, Associate Professor at Istanbul Technial University Department of Urban and Regional Planning, was also one of the participants of the EELISA SusBCC Community PROPTECH Entrepreneurship Hackathon.
Along with two ITÜ talented researchers, Pınar Gökçe and Ali Yılmaz, she embarked on the mission of finding sustainable, efficient, and digital solutions for buildings.
Take a look at an extract from her Medium article here:
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