Global Hackathon Comes to Barcelona
Barcelona is set to host its edition of the NASA Space Apps Challenge, the world’s largest STEAM hackathon, on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November 2026 at the 42 Barcelona campus. The event will bring together multidisciplinary teams to develop digital solutions to global challenges in space, sustainability, health and the environment. The 48-hour innovation marathon is organised with support from the Fundació Telefònica, the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Institut d’Estudis Espacials de Catalunya (IEEC), Barcelona Activa and the Agència Espacial Espanyola (AEE). It aims to foster scientific and technological vocations, showcase digital talent and connect young innovators with real-world planetary and space-related challenges.
Building a National Talent Network
The 2026 edition will take place simultaneously across several Spanish cities, including Madrid, Bilbao, Málaga, Seville and Murcia, forming a nationwide network to identify and support technical and creative talent. Since its launch in Spain in 2018, the initiative has built a community of around 10,000 participants and has achieved two historic global victories, in 2018 and 2024. Cristina Fernández Bornay, director of 42 Barcelona at Fundació Telefònica, said: "NASA Space Apps demonstrates what talent can achieve when given a meaningful challenge and a real platform to apply their skills. Our goal is to highlight this potential and connect it directly with key companies and institutions in the ecosystem."
NASA Space Apps demonstrates what talent can achieve when given a meaningful challenge and a real platform to apply their skills.
The event launch at 42 Barcelona featured key representatives from government, technology and academia, including Lia Miller, US Consul General in Barcelona, Meritxell Granger from the Generalitat de Catalunya, Humbert Ruiz from Barcelona Activa and Paula Lomascolo from the IEEC. A business roundtable on 'The Talent Tomorrow’s Job Market Needs', moderated by Álvaro Montoliu, included contributions from Fernández Bornay and Ruiz, focusing on workforce readiness and digital skills.
How to Take Part
Registrations for the 2026 NASA Space Apps Challenge are now open via the official NASA Space Apps Challenge website. The event offers participants the chance to collaborate on real NASA challenges, access mentorship and connect with potential employers in the tech and space sectors. The Barcelona campus of 42, a tuition-free coding school supported by Fundació Telefònica, will provide the venue and technical infrastructure for the hackathon weekend.
Reported by Diaricatalunya.
