The 7th edition of Hack4Edu gets underway: technology and young talent to drive educational transformation

Yesterday saw the launch in Salamanca of the 7th edition of Hack4Edu, one of the leading international hackathons that brings together technology and young talent to tackle new educational challenges. Organised by the Fundación Telefónica and the ”la Caixa” Foundation, through ProFuturo, in partnership with the Pontifical University of Salamanca (UPSA) and the Telefónica Chairs Network, Hack4Edu will take place from 3 to 7 November 2026 in a hybrid, multi-venue format, bringing together students, researchers and teachers from different countries under the theme ‘Solutions for real educational challenges’.

Over five days, participants will work in multidisciplinary teams to design and develop prototypes with the potential for real-world application in areas such as artificial intelligence, accessibility, educational inclusion, personalised learning and improving the learning experience. The aim is to transform ideas into innovative, scalable solutions capable of making an impact on educational communities.

The main new feature of this year’s event is that Wayra, Telefónica’s open innovation initiative, will support the winning teams to drive the development and scalability of their projects.

Since its launch in 2020, Hack4Edu has established itself as one of the leading international initiatives for technology-driven educational innovation, bringing together more than 3,000 participants from 30 universities and 12 countries.

Institutional presentation

Yesterday afternoon, the Aula Magna at the Pontifical University of Salamanca (UPSA) hosted the official presentation of the initiative at an event that highlighted the collaboration between the university, business and social organisations to promote educational innovation and the development of technological solutions with a real impact.

The session was opened by Ana Mª Fermoso García, Vice-Chancellor for Research and Technology Transfer at the Pontifical University of Salamanca (UPSA), who began with a few words of thanks: “We are delighted to contribute through events such as our hackathon, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship and striving to achieve the ultimate goal: technology transfer made a reality for a social purpose and in the service of education for those who need it most. We are therefore confident that the ideas from our talented young people that emerge from this event will be taken forward and implemented to improve digital education in disadvantaged regions and to advance these societies.”

Manuel Martín-Merino Acera, director of the Telefónica UPSA Chair and coordinator of Hack4edu, then took the floor, emphasising that Artificial Intelligence provides “very powerful tools that enable designers to come up with creative and innovative solutions in a short space of time to improve education and the quality of life for thousands of people around the world”.

For his part, Manuel José Ruiz García, Head of Technology and Intelligence at ProFuturo, highlighted the potential of global collaboration to accelerate innovative solutions applied to education: “Hack4Edu demonstrates the enormous potential that arises when we bring together technology, young talent and social commitment to tackle shared educational challenges. Innovation takes on real meaning when it is put at the service of a more inclusive and accessible education for all.”

Hack4Edu 2026 Awards

Participants will be in with a chance to win over 7,000 euros in prizes, will receive official certification from the Pontifical University of Salamanca (UPSA) and will have access to opportunities for international academic publication.

The winning projects will be announced on 7 November at an international ceremony broadcast live from the 42 Madrid Fundación Telefónica programming campus, which will bring together participants, universities and experts from across the global Hack4Edu community.