Sofia to Host Bulgaria’s First International Defence Tech Hackathon
Bulgaria is preparing to welcome an international gathering of technology specialists, students and engineers as Sofia hosts the country’s first international hackathon dedicated to defence and dual-use technologies.
The event will take place from 16 to 18 October 2026 at Tech Arena at the Technical University of Sofia. More than 120 participants from Bulgaria and abroad are expected to take part.
The initiative highlights the potential of Bulgarian engineering talent and the importance of collaboration between universities, technology companies and innovators.
Turning Ideas into Working Prototypes
Organised with the European Defense Tech Hub and other partners, the hackathon will bring together people with different skills to develop practical technological solutions.
Participants will include university students, military academy cadets, engineers from high-tech companies and representatives of institutions.
Working in teams, they will tackle defined challenges and develop prototypes that can be presented to a jury. The programme is designed to encourage collaboration, rapid experimentation and the exchange of expertise.
Building on Bulgarian Talent
Bulgaria already has a record of achievement in this international innovation community.
In 2024, a team of Bulgarian school students secured third place at a European Defense Tech Hackathon in Munich. Their project focused on detecting anti-personnel mines through their thermal signatures.
That achievement demonstrated how young people in Bulgaria can contribute ideas to complex technological problems, including technologies designed to improve safety and protect human life.
Why Collaboration Matters
Modern engineering increasingly brings together artificial intelligence, software development, robotics, sensors and advanced hardware.
Events such as this hackathon give people from different backgrounds the opportunity to combine their knowledge, test ideas and establish professional connections.
For universities, they also provide a way for students to apply what they learn in practical settings. For start-ups and companies, they can help identify promising concepts and potential collaborators.
Sofia’s Role in European Innovation
Hosting the event places Sofia within a wider European network focused on technology development and innovation.
The three highest-ranked teams are expected to be presented at the Regional Defence and Security Summit in Sofia on 21 October 2026.
Beyond the competition itself, the event offers a chance to showcase the capabilities of Bulgarian students, researchers and engineers to an international audience.
Bulgaria’s technology future will depend on many factors, including education, investment and opportunities for talented people to develop their ideas at home. Bringing those people together is a constructive step towards that goal.
Source: Radio Bulgaria, 14 October 2026; Technical University of Sofia, 8 October 2026.
