The ISE Hackathon returned in 2026 with a clear brief: put university talent to work on problems the professional AV industry faces every day. In under 48 hours, 60 students from 17 European universities formed teams to tackle real challenges across three tracks, sustainability, innovation and cybersecurity, inside Integrated Systems Europe in Barcelona.
The second edition built on the success of the first and confirmed the format for the future: the ISE Hackathon will be back at ISE 2027, which runs from 2 to 5 February 2027 at Fira de Barcelona Gran Via.
Why the ISE Hackathon matters for the AV skills gap
The value of the ISE Hackathon lies less in the prize than in the model. The AV industry has been warning about a skills gap for years, with too few qualified newcomers in systems integration, audio, lighting, video and the security of connected systems. Bringing students onto the show floor gives manufacturers, integrators and universities a direct line to the professionals who will join the market in the coming years.
For exhibitors and sponsors, it works the other way too: a first-hand look at how the next generation thinks, what it prioritises and how it approaches real projects.
Sustainability, innovation and cybersecurity: three tracks with industry relevance
The three tracks reflect much of the current conversation in professional AV. The Sustainability track focused on more efficient and inclusive AV solutions, at a time when energy use and product life cycles weigh increasingly on purchasing decisions. The Innovation track centred on AI and on rethinking conventional processes to create more engaging user experiences.
The Cybersecurity track addressed a problem that grows with every device added to the network: protecting AV systems that are now part of corporate IT infrastructure. One of the winning cybersecurity students summed up the experience as “designing for the industry standing right in front of you.”
“Designed for the brave and forward-thinking, the ISE Hackathon is where young talent tests its limits and turns skills into real AV solutions,” said Pablo Vega, Co-Coordinator of the ISE Hackathon.
Working on the show floor with exhibitors and mentors
Holding the Hackathon inside the show is what makes it different. Teams worked with expert mentors and direct access to the technology on display, validating ideas with exhibitors and industry professionals in real time and turning concepts into practical, scalable solutions. The finalists then presented their projects to an industry jury at the Innovation Park Pitching Stage, the same area ISE dedicates to AV start-ups and which returns with a new edition of Innovation Park at ISE 2027.
“For partners and sponsors, the Hackathon provides direct insight into the next generation of professionals, their priorities, and their approach to real-world challenges,” said Xavi Marlasca, Co-Coordinator of the ISE Hackathon. “It also creates connections between students, startups, and the AV industry, reinforcing ISE’s role in supporting talent development across the sector.”
ISE Hackathon 2026 winning teams
Winners were announced on the final day of the show:
- Sustainability (sponsored by Philips Professional Displays): Daniil Larkovskiy, Volodymyr Baranov, Alisa Turan and Mishti Ramnani, EU Business School.
- Innovation (sponsored by Sociedad Española para la Transformación Tecnológica, SETT): Librada Morales Parrilla, Mariona Sillaurren Piera, Serena Wilson and Xavier Súñer Rubió, CETT-UB Tourism & Hospitality, Universitat de Barcelona.
- Cybersecurity (sponsored by Hikvision): Veronika Borysiuk, Anora Azimova, Josep Aguilera and Marc Joaquin Serra, EU Business School and Esade.
The ISE Hackathon returns at ISE 2027
The Hackathon is part of the wider mission of the ISE Foundation, which supports long-term industry growth through talent development by creating practical, industry-connected opportunities that link education and innovation. Creative talent gets a similar route at Spark, the ISE event for the creative and production communities, which moves to Fira Montjuïc for 2027.
“The success of the ISE Hackathon in its second year reflects the growing demand for initiatives that connect emerging talent with real industry challenges,” said Mike Blackman, Managing Director of Integrated Systems Events. “By providing a platform for collaboration, creativity, and hands-on learning, we are helping to develop the future skills of the AV industry.”
Dates, opening hours and free visitor registration with the Instalia code are available in our ISE 2027 Barcelona visitor guide.
