From coastline to launchpad
Pärnu CoastHack is an international AI, digital and technology hackathon set on the Baltic coast in the seaside city of Pärnu, Estonia. Bringing together creators, developers, designers, entrepreneurs, students and innovators from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Finland, CoastHack is where new connections become bold ideas.
Over three days, participants form multidisciplinary teams, solve real-world challenges and transform ideas into working prototypes with the support of experienced mentors. Whether you already have an idea or are looking for teammates, CoastHack is the place to meet like-minded people and build something meaningful together.
The event is open to everyone aged 16 and above. You don’t need to be a programmer or have a startup idea before you arrive. Great teams need different perspectives, and successful products are built by people with diverse skills and backgrounds.
With today’s AI tools, turning an idea into a prototype has never been more accessible. What matters most isn’t knowing everything from day one – it’s finding the right people to build with. That’s exactly what CoastHack is all about.
CoastHack takes place on 2-4 October 2026 at the University of Tartu Pärnu College. During the same weekend, Pärnu comes alive with the ÖÖvalgel Light Festival, giving participants the chance to unwind after a day of building by exploring stunning light installations, musical performances and the unique charm of Estonia’s best-known seaside town.
Want to see where it all started? Read about our previous hack here.
Preliminary schedule
The hackathon will take place at the University of Tartu Pärnu College and the Pärnumaa Business Incubator (Ringi 35, Pärnu).
Friday, 02.10.
- 16:30 – Arrival, registration, welcome coffee & snacks
- 17.00 – Hackathon opening
- 17:15 – Founder Stories: a conversation with Carl Rannaberg, Co-founder & CTO of Display.dev. Hosted by Oliver Sild, Founder & CEO of Patchstack.
- 18:30 – Idea pitches: 90-second elevator pitches & introduction to the next steps
- 20:00 – Team formation, networking & snacks
- 21:30 – ÖÖvalgel light festival
- 22:30 – CoastHack Community Mixer – informal opening-night gathering at Ringi 5 Lounge. Entry with a CoastHack name badge (age limit 18+).
🕒 Workspaces will remain open until late for teams who wish to continue working.
Saturday, 03.10.
- 08:30 – Arrival
- 09:00 – AI & vibe coding workshop (Maarja Pajusalu, University of Tartu Institute of Computer Science)
- 10:00 – Teamwork, idea validation & mentor consultations
- 12:00 – Lunch break
- 13:00 – Teamwork continues
- 15:00 – Mini-workshop: cybersecurity & safe vibe coding principles (Elliot Taylor, Patchstack)
- 15:30 – Teamwork continues
- 18:00 – Dinner break
- 19:00 – Checkpoint: prototype review with mentors
- 20:00 – Teamwork continues
🕒 Workspaces open until late.
Sunday, 04.10.
- 08:30 – Arrival
- 09:00 – Checkpoint
- 09:30 – Mini-workshop: Elevator Pitch 101 (Mayri Tiido)
- 10:00 – Final pitch & demo preparation, last mentor consultations
- 12:00 – Lunch break
- 13:00 – Final pitch practice & finishing touches
- 15:00 – Final pitches & solution demos
- 17:00 – Jury deliberation & networking
- 18:00 – Winner announcement & awards ceremony
Friday, 02.10.
- 16:30 – Arrival, registration, welcome coffee & snacks
- 17.00 – Hackathon opening
- 17:15 – Founder Stories: a conversation with Carl Rannaberg, Co-founder & CTO of Display.dev. Hosted by Oliver Sild, Founder & CEO of Patchstack.
- 18:30 – Idea pitches: 90-second elevator pitches & introduction to the next steps
- 20:00 – Team formation, networking & snacks
- 21:30 – ÖÖvalgel light festival
- 22:30 – CoastHack Community Mixer – informal opening-night gathering at Ringi 5 Lounge. Entry with a CoastHack name badge (age limit 18+).
🕒 Workspaces will remain open until late for teams who wish to continue working.
Saturday, 03.10.
- 08:30 – Arrival
- 09:00 – AI & vibe coding workshop (Maarja Pajusalu, University of Tartu Institute of Computer Science)
- 10:00 – Teamwork, idea validation & mentor consultations
- 12:00 – Lunch break
- 13:00 – Teamwork continues
- 15:00 – Mini-workshop: cybersecurity & safe vibe coding principles (Elliot Taylor, Patchstack)
- 15:30 – Teamwork continues
- 18:00 – Dinner break
- 19:00 – Checkpoint: prototype review with mentors
- 20:00 – Teamwork continues
🕒 Workspaces open until late.
Sunday, 04.10.
- 08:30 – Arrival
- 09:00 – Checkpoint
- 09:30 – Mini-workshop: Elevator Pitch 101 (Mayri Tiido)
- 10:00 – Final pitch & demo preparation, last mentor consultations
- 12:00 – Lunch break
- 13:00 – Final pitch practice & finishing touches
- 15:00 – Final pitches & solution demos
- 17:00 – Jury deliberation & networking
- 18:00 – Winner announcement & awards ceremony
Free snacks, lunch and dinner will be provided throughout the hackathon.
Prizes
Great ideas deserve more than applause. CoastHack prizes are designed to help the strongest teams take their next steps – whether that means funding, expert guidance, access to the startup ecosystem, a place to keep building, or the technical tools to move forward.
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🏆 1,500€ Main Prize
- The winning team receives a 1,500€ cash prize from Patchstack to take their idea to the next level.
-
🚀 9-Month Incubation Programme
- The most promising ideas may be invited to join the Pärnumaa Business Incubator’s 9-month development programme.
-
💡 Individual Mentoring Support
- 2,480€ worth of mentoring support, funded by the City of Pärnu. A suitable mentor will be selected based on the team’s needs and goals.
- 3 individual mentoring sessions with Urmas Kaarlep, Executive Coach (ACC) & Lecturer at Estonian Business School, funded by LHV.
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🧑💻 A Place to Keep Building
- Continue working on your idea with access to coworking communities across Estonia: Palo Alto Club, Tallinn · Mobispace, Tartu · Forwardspace, Pärnu
-
🌐 1 Year of Free Web Hosting
- One selected team receives 1 year of free web hosting from Veebimajutus.
-
🎁 Astri Gift Cards
- Gift cards to use across Astri Group shopping centres and their stores and services.
-
🎟️ Startup & Tech Conference Passes
- Take your team, make connections and get inspired at some of the region’s leading events: Digit 2026 · Latitude59 2027 · sTARTUp Day 2027
-
🏆 1,500€ Main Prize
- The winning team receives a 1,500€ cash prize from Patchstack to take their idea to the next level.
-
🚀 9-Month Incubation Programme
- The most promising ideas may be invited to join the Pärnumaa Business Incubator’s 9-month development programme.
-
💡 Individual Mentoring Support
- 2,480€ worth of mentoring support, funded by the City of Pärnu. A suitable mentor will be selected based on the team’s needs and goals.
- 3 individual mentoring sessions with Urmas Kaarlep, Executive Coach (ACC) & Lecturer at Estonian Business School, funded by LHV.
-
🎟️ Startup & Tech Conference Passes
- Take your team, make connections and get inspired at some of the region’s leading events: Digit 2026 · Latitude59 2027 · sTARTUp Day 2027
-
🧑💻 A Place to Keep Building
- Continue working on your idea with access to coworking communities across Estonia: Palo Alto Club, Tallinn · Mobispace, Tartu · Forwardspace, Pärnu
-
🌐 1 Year of Free Web Hosting
- One selected team receives 1 year of free web hosting from Veebimajutus.
-
🎁 Astri Gift Cards
- Gift cards to use across Astri Group shopping centres and their stores and services.
Beyond the main prize, additional prizes will be awarded to the teams that stand out most during the hackathon, based on the jury’s assessment of their work and progress, the potential of their idea, and their next steps.
You got what it takes?
Meet the mentors
Oliver Sild
Founder & CEO
Patchstack
Liisi Kirch
Startup Sector Manager
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications
Timmu Tõke
CEO, Co-Founder
Stealth, Ready Player Me
Kärt Siilats
VC Investor, Co-Founder
EstVCA, SmartCap,
Mojo.Capital
Kevin Akkermann
CTO, Co-Founder
Bilt.me
Kairi Loomet
Community Manager, Service Designer
Palo Alto Club,
Loome Disain
Martin Veeris
CTO
AI Tehas
Maarja Pajusalu
Doctoral researcher in health informatics, data visualization and AI trainer
University of Tartu Institute of Computer Science
Rauno Kutti
Consultant
Kuttid
Gerrit Kaseleht
CEO
Pärnu Keskus
Elliot Taylor
Product Lead
Patchstack
Svea Uusen
Business Development
Consultant
Pärnu County Innovation Hub KOBAR
Get to know more about the mentors here:
Hackathon moderator
Mayri Tiido
Mayri Tiido is an adult educator and a circular economy professional. She is a seasoned hackathon moderator, mentor and organiser with more than 8 years of international experience.
Who is the hack for?
Got any other questions?
What ideas are welcome?
CoastHack is looking for innovative technology and digital ideas that solve real-world problems or create new opportunities. For example:
- AI & Automation
- Digital Products & Software
- Cybersecurity & Data
- Web & Mobile Applications
- GreenTech & Sustainability
- Health & Wellbeing Solutions
- EdTech
- FinTech & Digital Services
- Smart Cities & Public Innovation
- Any other technology-driven ideas
If your idea uses technology to create value or solve a real problem, you’re in the right place.
Who is CoastHack for?
CoastHack is open to everyone aged 16 and above. It isn’t just for developers – we welcome anyone who wants to help build technology-driven solutions and turn ideas into reality.
- Developers & Engineers
- Designers & UX/UI Professionals
- Marketers, Strategists & Business Developers
- Industry Experts & Entrepreneurs
- Students & Professionals
- Creative Thinkers & Problem Solvers
- Anyone who wants to build something meaningful
You don’t need to have an idea or a team before the event. At the start of the hackathon, participants pitch their ideas and teams are formed on-site around the most exciting concepts.
How does the hackathon work?
- Register for the hackathon here.
- Pitch your idea or join a team at the event.
- Build a working prototype with support from experienced mentors.
- Present your solution to the jury and audience.
- Win prizes and get the opportunity to continue developing your idea after the hackathon.
Organizers
Sponsors and partners
A big thank you to all our friends and partners in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Finland for helping us spread the word about CoastHack!
Pärnu CoastHack is organized in cooperation with the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency (EIS). The event is funded by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund under the Startup Estonia programme.
