Genius Hackathon at ECAM LaSalle: Students Design Responsible Solutions for Regional Transitions
On 25 and 26 April, ECAM LaSalle hosted the 4th edition of the Genius Hackathon on its Lyon campus. During this 24-hour innovation marathon, 46 students from several higher education institutions worked together to develop responsible entrepreneurial concepts responding to some of the key challenges linked to the region’s digital, ecological and social transitions. This year’s edition was organised within the framework of the ChallengeEU European University Alliance, giving the event an even stronger regional, international and collaborative dimension. As part of ChallengeEU’s Regional Innovation Initiative, the hackathon offered a practical example of how universities can support innovation, entrepreneurship and knowledge transfer while engaging with real societal needs. ChallengeEU brings together nine European higher education institutions committed to developing interdisciplinary learning pathways and practical solutions in three priority areas: Smart Digitalisation, Health and Well-being, and Sustainable Futures. The Genius Hackathon reflected this approach by encouraging students to think beyond traditional academic boundaries and to design ideas with both business potential and positive social or environmental impact. Launched in 2023, the Genius Hackathon has become an important annual event at ECAM LaSalle. It is organised by the ECAM LaSalle Genius Club, a student association dedicated to innovation and entrepreneurship. The 2026 edition gathered students from ECAM LaSalle, EMLyon, ESDES, IAE de Lyon, INSEEC and MADEIn, who worked in nine multidisciplinary teams of four to six participants. Over the course of 24 hours, the teams were challenged to turn an initial idea into a start-up concept ready to be presented to the market. They were supported by expert-led talks designed to help them structure their projects, define their value propositions and prepare their final pitches. This intensive format encouraged creativity, teamwork, strategic thinking and the ability to respond quickly to complex challenges. At the end of the hackathon, each team presented its project to a jury of professionals in a demanding format: a five-minute pitch followed by five minutes of questions. The projects were assessed according to their level of innovation, economic viability, societal and environmental impact, and the quality of the final presentation. Three teams were awarded for their proposals. The first prize went to ECM, which developed a solution to optimise last-mile delivery within Low Emission Zones. O’FRAIS took second place with a project focused on creating a more reliable and secure cold chain. Third place went to EVERSTONE, whose concept explored the recycling of demolition rubble to give materials a second life and reduce environmental impact. With its fourth edition, the Genius Hackathon once again confirmed its role as a dynamic laboratory for ideas, talent and responsible entrepreneurship. By connecting students, universities and regional challenges, the event showed how innovation can become a collaborative process and how young people can actively contribute to more sustainable and resilient futures.
From ideas to action: WP4 team meets in Lyon
On 7–8 April 2026, M.A.R.K.E.T. officers and task leaders from WP4 across the alliance gathered at ECAM La Salle in Lyon for a two-day, in-person WP4 meeting. The meeting was highly productive and marked an important step forward in strengthening collaboration, aligning approaches, and advancing ongoing work within WP4. The programme combined structured working sessions with interactive discussions. Key topics included sharing experiences and best practices from M.A.R.K.E.T. Meet-ups, planning joint interregional M.A.R.K.E.T. student activities for 2026, and shaping the future of the Impact Lab, as well as contributions to the Talent Academy. The meeting also provided valuable space for networking, strengthening relationships, and fostering a shared understanding of the M.A.R.K.E.T. officer role across the alliance. Overall, the meeting successfully combined concrete progress on key tasks with meaningful exchange and collaboration, reinforcing the foundations for continued joint work within WP4. Did you know? M.A.R.K.E.T. = Multi-Actor Research+Knowledge Exchange Teams In each of the three selected Smart Specialisation Areas, challenge-and impact-driven M.A.R.K.E.T.s will act as dynamic platforms for transdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and the co-creation of solutions that span digital, green, social, and sustainable dimensions.
ChallengeEU delegation attended ECAM LaSalle’s anniversary
A 14-member delegation from the ChallengeEU Alliance visited ECAM LaSalle in Lyon to mark the university’s 125th anniversary, combining celebrations with working discussions. The group, led by five rectors, included representatives from Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz (FHNW), Hochschule Offenburg, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Mid Sweden University, South East European University (SEEU), Universidad Europea de Valencia, Universidade Europeia, and the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. Beyond the official celebrations, the visit provided an opportunity for strategic discussions on research collaboration, sustainability, and European perspectives for academic cooperation. Participants exchanged experiences from across the Alliance and identified areas for future joint initiatives. The delegation also explored ECAM LaSalle’s educational facilities and met students involved in technical clubs, including the ECAM Formula Student Team (EFST), H2 Eco’Innov, and the #WorldSkills team. The presentations showcased a range of innovative student projects and underlined the strong potential of emerging European talent. The programme concluded with a visit to the Basilica of Fourvière. ECAM LaSalle reaffirmed its commitment to globally open, future-oriented engineering education. Representatives of ChallengeEU extend congratulations to ECAM LaSalle on this milestone and wish the university continued success in the years ahead. About ECAM LaSalle: In September 1900, the first class of the Jean Baptiste de La Salle School of Arts and Crafts in Reims began the school year under the guidance of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. For over a century, ECAM LaSalle trains generations of responsible and creative engineers, who use their scientific expertise to serve a sustainable and ethic future. University has continued to adapt to the needs of companies and to the expectations of young people and their families. A pioneer in its field, its notable innovations are: the establishment of one of the first Engineering Apprenticeship programmes; the first factory-school dedicated to Lean Management (INEXO: Institute of Operational Excellence) and the first 5 year Engineering Program in English in France (ECAM Engineering).
