The Wave Hackathon 2026 has concluded today at Etopia (Zaragoza) with a very positive outcome, gathering around 500 participants across the four sessions held throughout Aragón (Zaragoza, Teruel, and Huesca). The initiative, promoted by Microsoft and framed within The Wave 2026, has received support from over 30 companies and organizations, solidifying its role as a key tool to boost technological talent and structure the Aragonese territory.
Of the total 500 participants, 260 were from the Zaragoza edition, which took place on April 13 and 14 at Etopia facilities. The hackathon brought together students and young professionals in multidisciplinary teams to tackle real challenges posed by companies, with a special focus on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
Mar Vaquero, acting vice president of the Government of Aragón, highlighted that “this year’s four sessions of The Wave Hackathon have summed up to around 500 participants.” Meanwhile, Ana Liesa, Director of Community Relations at Microsoft Spain, stated that “over 30 companies have provided real challenges across the Aragonese territory” and emphasized “Microsoft’s commitment to Aragón to structure the territory through technology.”
Winners of the Zaragoza Hackathon
The jury awarded innovative solutions based on AI, Li-Fi, and workplace well-being:
- First prize (€2,500): Nexio challenge “Li-Fi, communication at the speed of light.” Winning Team: Luis Ángel Peralta Vistué, Jonathan Loza Escalera, Ruosbelt Barrazueta Livvizaca, and Samuel Briceño.
- Second prize (€1,500): DXC challenge “AI to improve your city.” Winning Team: Acher Baos Palacios, Daniel Pérez Montañés, Óscar Blasco Armengod, and Iván Sanz Aladrén.
- Third prize (€750): Endalia challenge “The signal before the silence,” focused on the early detection of workplace burnout. Winning Team: Juan Espinoza Casamayor, Rubén Galay Bona, Alejandro Lázaro Valtueña, Songhi Iyu, Iker Ríos Navarro, and Miguel Villaverde Guillén.
Among the companies and institutions that launched challenges are Adidas, Endalia, GFT, Inetum, Nexio, Tervalis, CESTE, Atades, Costa, Ibercaja, Inycom, Imascono, DXC, UST, and others. The challenges covered areas such as industry, banking, accessibility, inclusion, urban management, digital transformation, and social well-being.
The event received support from the Government of Aragón, Tecnara, the City Council of Zaragoza, and the Technological Institute of Aragón (ITA), and was sponsored by Microsoft. The jury included representatives from Zaragoza Activa, Tecnara, ITA, Microsoft, and the University of Zaragoza.
Connection with The Wave 2026
This hackathon serves as a prelude and parallel activity to the The Wave 2026 congress, taking place these days (April 14 to 16) at the Zaragoza Convention Palace, with Japan as the guest of honor. The initiative strengthens the Aragonese innovation ecosystem and directly connects emerging talent with the main event of digital transformation.
With this edition, Aragón reinforces its position as a leader in open innovation, bringing together young talent, companies, and institutions in generating technological solutions with real impact.
