FAQ

1.) Who can take part in the SHEconomy Hackathon?

You can take part if you are female, over 18 and up for a real challenge.

At the SHEconomy Hackathon, employees, students, entrepreneurs, business experts, engineers, designers and anyone else who wants to spend an intensive day working on a real business case come together. You do not need a particular degree or job title. What matters to us: motivation, lateral thinking and the willingness to work in a mixed team.

If you have an exciting idea but do not fit the target group, please get in touch with us anyway. All genders welcome.

2.) Do I need experience in finance, technology or innovation?

No. Everyone is welcome.

All that matters is that you enjoy working across disciplines and can contribute from at least one area: technology, design thinking, business or finance. You do not have to be an expert in everything. That is exactly why we put you in a team – so that you complement each other. The strongest teams come from different fields. Mentors and the jury will be on site.

In the end, what counts is a solution that is desirable for customers, feasible, economically viable and a good fit with Raiffeisen’s direction.

Technical perfection is not the goal. A clever, usable idea is.

3.) Can I apply on my own, or do I need a team?

You can apply on your own. Most people do.

If you already have people you want to work with, say so in your application. Please note: everyone on that list must still register individually and accept the terms and conditions of participation themselves.

4.) How are the teams formed?

After the application deadline, the organiser selects the participants and puts the teams together. The teams are interdisciplinary and usually have 4–6 members.

If you have named teammates, we will try to keep you together. Because many people come on their own, your team should be open to one or two additional members. Provisional teams may still change. The final team list will be sent out on 16 November 2026 – three days before the hackathon.

5.) How do the application and selection work?

1. Agree to the terms and conditions of participation.
2. Complete the application form fully, honestly and truthfully.
3. If you are selected, you will receive an email by 16 November 2026 – plus all the information about the live day and the virtual tools.

5.) When will I find out whether I have been selected?

By 16 November 2026, by email.

Please also check your spam folder. If you have registered and are not selected for any reason, you will also receive an email.

6.) How do I get to the venue? Is there parking, and can it be reached by public transport?

Getting to the venue
Address: Raiffeisen-Platz 1, 8074 Raaba-Grambach

By S-Bahn: From Graz Hauptbahnhof or Ostbahnhof-Messe, take the S3 towards Fehring to Raaba. From the station it is about a five-minute walk. From Graz Hauptbahnhof the journey takes around 15 minutes.

By tram and bus: From Graz city centre, take tram line 4 to Liebenau/MURPARK, then change to bus line 72 towards Raaba Bahnhof.

Please check your connection shortly before you travel using the ÖBB or Verbund route planner.

7.) What do I need to bring? Do I need my own laptop?

Yes, if you need it for your way of working. Bring your laptop or device plus charger. You will use it to develop and design your solution.

We provide communication tools and access. Wi-Fi and briefing materials are available on site.

8.) Which programs or digital tools are needed?

Nothing exotic is required.

Use whatever your team is already good at: slides, design tools, AI assistants, a simple prototype – or a sharp concept on paper if that is the quickest way to show the idea. After you have been accepted, you will receive instructions for the shared virtual tools. Your submission (your Contribution / Entry) must be in English or German.

9.) What language is the hackathon held in?

English and German.

Your submission – the solution you hand in – must be in one of these two languages. Mentors and the jury can handle both. Tell us your preference in your application so that we can put together teams that can work with each other.

10.) Will there be food and drink?

Yes. Coffee, water, snacks and meals are planned on site for admitted participants. Please enter any allergies or special dietary requirements in your application so that we can take them into account.

11.) Do I have to bring an idea?

Helpful, but not necessary.

One or two sentences in the form are enough for us to see how you think. A clearer outline can help with selection. On the day itself, your submission must be your own work, newly created during the hackathon – nothing that has already been submitted to a similar competition.

Talk to your team and the mentors. Your first idea will almost certainly change. That is normal. That is the point.

You will be working on a real technical business case. Each team submits one solution.

12.) Who is on the jury?

An expert jury: representatives of Raiffeisen-Landesbank Steiermark, of Transformation Lighthouse and external experts.

Each submission is assessed on:

1. Desirability — genuine customer need, measurable benefit
2. Feasibility — technically, operationally and legally achievable
3. Viability — economic potential and sustainable value
4. Strategic Fit — alignment with the organiser’s priorities

The highest overall score wins. In the event of a tie, the jury decides. The decision is final.

All teams pitch on 19 November 2026. If there are many teams, the pitch may be a 3-minute video. The three winning teams will be announced at the end of the day.

Prizes (gross):

• 1st place — EUR 1,200
• 2nd place — EUR 800
• 3rd place — EUR 500

13.) Whom can I contact if I have further questions?

Transformation Lighthouse accompanies the entire hackathon and is there for you all day.

Questions to:
[email protected]