Between February and April 2025, Hack4dev successfully completed the first full cycle of its new Data Science Hackathon Programme (DSHP), aimed at growing data science capacity and innovation across the globe.

The programme began with the Trainers’ Hackathon in October 2024 at WITS University, where selected team leads were trained on a CubeSat imaging data challenge. These leads then went on to organise and run 13 Regional Hackathons in 12 countries bringing hands-on experience and innovation to their local communities.

Each hackathon tackled the same real-world challenge: building machine learning models to help satellites decide which images to transmit. The best solution will soon receive a R10,000 prize for its innovation and impact.