The Hack of Tomorrow hackathon, held on March 22–23, 2025 in Poznan, Poland, was a special event created to help aspiring entrepreneurs learn how to launch and grow successful businesses. As part of the AI Agents Hackathon track during the larger Tech of Tomorrow event, participants worked together to build smart AI solutions that address real-world business problems. Whether they wanted to join a startup team or start one themselves, attendees had the chance to apply their skills, explore business ideas, and connect with mentors, investors, and other founders. The event was powered by the EU-funded Ready2Scale project, which aims to inspire future tech founders by offering real support and guidance through acceleration opportunities.
Hackathon was more than just a competition—it was a hands-on learning experience and a place to build community. The goal was to share practical advice from real startup stories while helping participants understand the wider European startup scene. It also helped raise awareness about the support available through European projects, including mentorship, funding opportunities, and networks of experienced founders and investors.
Two important sessions at the event focused on activities linked to the Ready2Scale project. The first was led by Michał Wujewski, Senior Business Development Consultant at Poznań Science and Technology Park (PPNT), and the second by Ruslana Dovzhyk, Co-Founder and CEO of TechNovator.
Michał shared valuable insights from the Ready2Scale program, which supports startups in becoming investment-ready and expanding into international markets. He discussed the common challenges early-stage companies face—particularly around securing funding and scaling effectively—and demonstrated how acceleration programs like Ready2Scale can help bridge those gaps. He highlighted the program’s key offerings, including equity-free grants, expert mentorship, investor matchmaking, and opportunities to explore new markets. Throughout his presentation, Michał provided practical advice and tips on how to successfully apply for this type of support, as well as how to avoid common pitfalls that often hinder startup growth.
Ruslana shared her inspiring journey from a career in HR to becoming a startup founder in the tech world. In her talk, she explained the key steps new founders should take before launching a business—like doing proper market research, building a strong team, preparing financially, and staying mentally ready. Based on her own experience building TechNovator, a company that develops wireless charging solutions for electronics and transportation, she also spoke about the importance of being flexible, creating a working prototype (MVP), and using startup programs and competitions to grow the business. Her story was a great example of how determination and smart planning can help turn ideas into real companies.
Together, these two sessions reflected what the Hack of Tomorrow hackathon was all about: combining personal startup stories with real-world tools and support systems that help founders grow. The event successfully showcased new ideas and created a space where future entrepreneurs could learn, connect, and move their business dreams forward.
