Digital Cultural Product Hackathon in Kyiv by OBRIO and MUR

IT company OBRIO, in partnership with the cultural project MUR, is launching the "Cultural Hackathon"—an initiative designed to merge modern technology with the creative industries. The programme focuses on developing tech and AI solutions aimed at preserving, contextualizing, and promoting Ukrainian language, art, and history. The primary goal of the project is to combine technological potential with cultural context to create modern digital products.

Over the course of one week, participants will work remotely on creating a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Throughout the development phase, teams and solo specialists will receive expert support and regular consultations from leading mentors in IT, artificial intelligence, business, and cultural studies. The final stage of the competition will take place as an in-person pitch event in Kyiv, where developers will present their solutions.

Based on the evaluation results, winners will receive cash grants for further development and scaling of their products. Beyond funding, participants will gain access to mentorship, official certificates, media coverage across organizers' platforms, and networking opportunities with investors, peers, and creative industry experts.

Solo participants and formed teams are eligible to apply. Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Developers aiming to create meaningful product solutions for Ukrainian culture, language, or history.
• Designers capable of making complex functionality clear and user-friendly.
• Product managers who understand user engagement and retention metrics.
• Marketers who know product promotion specifics for the target audience.
• Having a clear idea or concept for a tech project in culture, language, or history.
• Readiness to dedicate time to MVP development and mentor communication.
• Readiness to participate in the final pitch event in Kyiv.
• Prior experience in cultural projects is not required.

Total grant support for winners is up to $3,000 per project.

• Cash grants are designated for further development and scaling of the created product.
• Winners receive mentorship from specialists in IT, AI, business, and cultural studies.
• Mandatory co-financing is not required.

The programme supports the development and scaling of digital products across three tracks:

• "Language" Track: digital products for daily communication, learning, and promotion of the Ukrainian language.
• "Art" Track: AI tools for artists, digital collections, and new interaction formats with cultural heritage.
• "History" Track: educational platforms, digital guides, archives, and interactive storytelling about history and literature.
• Development Process: MVP creation and mentoring sessions.

• Until 4 November 2026: completion and submission of online application.
• Selection stage: announcement of selected participants and teams for the main stage of the hackathon.
• Over 1 week: active online MVP development stage and consultations with mentors.
• Final: in-person project pitching and announcement of winners in Kyiv.

• Complete the online application form on the official project website: culturalhackathon.com/hackathon.

Proposals are evaluated based on the following key criteria:

• Value and innovativeness of the idea.
• Clarity of the project mission regarding the preservation and promotion of Ukrainian culture, language, or history.
• Potential for further development, practical application, and scaling of the solution.

• Demonstration of a functional MVP developed during the one-week hackathon.
• Mandatory in-person participation in the final presentation and live pitch of the solution in Kyiv.

• Open to both formed teams and solo specialists who can form a team on site.
• Prior experience in the cultural sector is not mandatory for participation.
• The final stage requires mandatory in-person attendance and project pitching in Kyiv.