Press Release 21st March 2025

Hackathon Vienna: Young talents develop digital solutions for sustainability

The Hackathon Vienna organised by LSZ and Techhouse took place for the third time from 18 to 20 March 2025. For the first time, REWE International AG was not only a partner company, but also a host. 80 selected pupils and students from Austria and Germany came together at the REWE IT site in Vienna to develop digital solutions along the value chain in companies under the motto ‘Corporate Coding for Sustainability’. With over 160 applications, interest in the event was enormous.

Four people are gathered around a laptop, engaged in discussion. One person is seated while the others stand, with one pointing at the screen. A poster on the wall reads, "Let's shape the future of retail together."

For 48 hours, the teams worked intensively on projects focussing on sustainability and innovation / Copyright: © LSZ, Reproduction for PR purposes free of charge

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At a glance

48 hours in the name of Corporate Coding for Sustainability with the REWE Group, the Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs and Häuser zum Leben
80 pupils and students developed sustainable concepts for a better future
Team REWÖRLD secures victory in the REWE Challenge and €3,000 prize money

Martin Fluch, Chief Information Officer (CIO) of REWE International AG: "The hackathon was a fantastic event that showed how important it is to promote young talent and offer them a platform for their creative ideas. The collaboration between young talents and experienced mentors has produced impressive results that are both innovative and sustainable. It's inspiring to see how committed and talented the next generation is."

Sustainable innovations and exciting concepts

During the 48-hour hackathon, the participants worked intensively on projects focussing on sustainability and innovation. The aim was to work in teams on sustainable concepts for a better future. They were supported by experts from companies and universities who acted as mentors. The young talents developed solutions to real-life problems posed by partners REWE Group, Häuser zum Leben and the Federal Ministry for Internal Affairs.

‘REWÖRLD’ was able to convince the jury of its project

The teams were able to choose between three challenges for their solutions. Under the title ‘Hyper-Personalisation & Budget-Friendly Sustainable Shopping’, the REWE International AG challenge focused on creating unique shopping experiences for customers through innovative approaches based on individual needs and health requirements. A particular highlight was the final pitch, in which the teams presented their projects and solutions to a panel of experts. The evaluation was based on criteria such as teamwork, technical codes, practicality and presentation.

The REWÖRLD team was able to secure victory and prize money of €3,000 with its solution to the ‘Hyper-Personalisation & Budget-Friendly Sustainable Shopping’ challenge with REWE as a partner. Second place was secured by the ‘Software fürs Leben’ team in the Häuser zum Leben Challenge, followed by ‘Safe Choices’ from the BMI Challenge.

About Hackathons

A hackathon is a platform that makes it possible to work together with different people and develop creative ideas. In just 48 hours, teams have the opportunity to work on a prototype, code, concept or business model to create innovative solutions with the support of experienced mentors and experts. Many participants engage intensively and only occasionally allow themselves short breaks. This process is deliberately designed to allow participants to leave their usual comfort zone, gain new experiences, test their skills and acquire valuable new competences in the process. At the end of the event, each team has the opportunity to present the idea they have developed to a jury.