Join us in June as drones take flight at Nokia Arena

The international Drone Innovation Hackathon will take place in Tampere on 9–11 June. For the second time in a short period, drone professionals will gather at Nokia Arena to develop, test and compete. The cash prizes are worth a total of EUR 10,000.

The event will bring together 20–30 pre-selected teams from several countries to compete with drones in four challenge categories. Opportunities to test drones in realistic conditions are limited, making the Drone Innovation Hackathon a rare opportunity for industry operators.

Cash prizes and direct connections to buyers

Participants will compete in four different challenges. The total prize pool is EUR 10,000. In addition, one team will be selected for the Tech17 accelerator programme, which offers the opportunity to receive EUR 20,000 in funding, mentoring and access to testing in Ukraine.

Successful teams will have the opportunity to present their solutions to the Finnish Defence Forces. In addition to the Defence Forces, other authorities will also take part in the event. Registration for the competition is open until 29 May.

The hackathon challenges in brief

Challenge 1: Beat the Jammer

In this challenge, teams must design and fly drones that maintain stability and communication links within the range of an active jamming transmitter.

Participants may use any radios, communication protocols or anti-jamming technologies to maintain a reliable connection to their drone.

Challenge 2: Autonomous Surveillance and Rescue

Teams must enable a drone to carry out an autonomous surveillance mission without human control during the flight. The goal is to ensure that the drone can complete complex tasks and transmit information independently, even when the operator is unable to send commands.

Challenge 3: FPV

This challenge tests the pilot’s skill on a course with multiple gates and other obstacles. Teams must fly the course as quickly and accurately as possible while maintaining control of the drone.

Challenge 4: Counter-Drone Challenge

In this challenge, teams must detect and identify drones in an electromagnetic and sensory environment that includes interference, decoys and multiple drones. Despite the distractions, teams must identify the target drones. The challenge is made more difficult by bird-like objects, visual interference, smoke and varying drone flight paths.

Compilation video from the hackathon held in January 2026.

Cooperation across the sector is essential

Business Tampere Account Manager Tero Kyckling says the event strengthens the Tampere Region’s position as a development environment for drone, security and dual-use technologies.

“The hackathon at Nokia Arena brings together companies, developers, authorities, researchers and technology experts for the second time this year. What matters most to us is the active enthusiasm and cooperation of all actors in the sector, whether they are security authorities or local startup entrepreneurs.”

A total of 25 Finnish companies, educational organisations and public sector actors are involved in organising the event.

Further information and registration for teams by Sunday, 29 May 2026:
https://ultrahack.org/hackathons/drone-innovation-hackathon-2

Further information about the challenges:
madde.kivikangas@ultrahack.org

Further information about current developments in the drone sector in the Tampere Region and about the hackathon:
tero.kyckling@businesstampere.com
Tel. +358 40 552 4355

Media representatives will have the opportunity to follow the competition. They should register as visitors through the registration link on the hackathon website:
https://ultrahack.org/hackathons/drone-innovation-hackathon-2

Media registration is open until Friday, 5 June at 12:00.