That's Hackathon: An Opportunity for Young Innovators between Italy and the USA

Do you want to play, innovate, and network? Join That’s Hackathon!

Chiara Romano, Co-Founder and Head of the Internationalisation Department at SPICI srl, is the winner of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) Impact Awards of the U.S. Department of State. Thanks to this prestigious recognition, Chiara Romano had the opportunity to create an innovative project in Italy, aiming to promote entrepreneurship and the use of digital technologies and strengthen cooperation between Campania and the United States.

Thus was born "That's Hackathon: US-Italy Hackathon for Innovative Business Ideas", an initiative funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, with the support of the Meridian International Center, and hosted in collaboration with SPICI and Fabbrica Italiana dell'Innovazione.

The Hackathon

The Hackathon will be held on 9 July 2025 at the Fabbrica Italiana dell'Innovazione Technology Hub in Naples and will take place in an innovative format based on game dynamics, aimed at celebrating American culture and strengthening cooperation between Italy and the USA.

During this intensive day, participants will have the opportunity to work in multidisciplinary teams, developing innovative business ideas through training and gaming activities.

It will be an opportunity to acquire technical skills (hard skills) and transversal skills (soft skills) related to business creation and digital technologies.

At the end of the event, teams will present their business ideas through a pitch in English in front of a panel of international experts in entrepreneurship and digital transformation.

The United States Consulate General in Naples and the Campania Region will be present, confirming the importance of international cooperation for the development of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Objectives of the Hackathon

• Promote entrepreneurship and stimulate the birth of new business ideas;

• Strengthen skills on business creation and digital technologies;

• Encourage cross-fertilization processes among young people with different experiences and academic backgrounds;

• Connect with American and Italian experts;

• Spread the American entrepreneurial culture and opportunities of the U.S. ecosystem in Campania;

• Strengthen cooperation between Campania and the United States.

Event Structure

The Hackathon will be held from 09:00 to 18:00 and will be structured into:

• Introductory session on business creation and idea generation (Lean Canvas, Buyer Persona, etc.);

• Team creation and use of playing cards inspired by icons of American culture;

• Development of the entrepreneurial idea with the support of expert mentors;

• American networking buffet (That's a Buffet);

• Development of the pitch in English;

• Closing ceremony with Pitch Session and award of the winning team.

Who can participate?

The event is open to teams and startups, university students, recent graduates, graduates from the last 12 months, interested in entrepreneurship and technological innovation. Up to 40 participants will be selected based on skills, motivation, and diversity of background.

Registration Method and Deadline

To participate, it is necessary to fill in the registration form at the following link: Form di Iscrizione by 4 June 2025.

Prizes Available

The team with the most effective and creative business idea will have access to a one-to-one mentoring session with international experts.

Privacy and Data Protection

The data provided by participants will be processed in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) and applicable data protection legislation.

Contacts

For further information, you can send an email to: startup@spici.eu