Technology
Digital innovation and shared tooling across the two research ecosystems.
EU CAN
Innovate
EU-Canada Digital Bridge Hackathon
A hybrid hackathon in two hubs, one in Europe and one in Canada, where engineers, founders, designers and researchers from both sides build prototypes against real, pre-scoped problems. We are at concept stage and looking for partners for a first edition in 2027.
- Hub 01
- Paris / Brussels / Berlin
- Hub 02
- Toronto / Montréal / Vancouver
VisionEU CAN Innovate01
Section 01
The opportunity, and the case for acting now
On September 16, 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed that Canada become the European Union's first associate member, with Prime Minister Mark Carney present in the chamber in Strasbourg.
The proposal points at technology, critical raw materials, energy and security. Its legal shape is still undefined, and an EU-Canada Summit in October 2026 may carry the discussion further.
We see strong political intent and mutual commitment. What we need now is a visible, working demonstration at the level where cooperation is actually built: among the engineers, founders, designers and researchers who would have to deliver it.
That foundation already exists today. Canada has been associated with Pillar II of Horizon Europe, the Union's research and innovation programme, since 2022, covering climate, energy, the digital economy and health.
A legal and funding structure for EU-Canada innovation cooperation is therefore in place. This initiative sets out to make it tangible and visible.
EU CAN Innovate brings practitioners from across the Union and from Canada into one working format, builds prototypes against real, pre-scoped problems, and documents what comes out of it.
Positioning
This works, regardless of how or whether a formal political arrangement is ever finalised.
Key tracksEU CAN Innovate02
Section 02
Four focus areas
Mapped onto the sectors named in the Union's own proposal, so the work stays relevant to the political process without depending on it.
Critical raw materials
Supply-chain transparency and circularity for minerals and battery inputs.
Energy
Renewables, grid integration and the transatlantic hydrogen corridor.
Resilience
Civilian infrastructure and cybersecurity (excluding defence and dual-use).
FormatEU CAN Innovate03
Section 03
Two rooms, one event
Model
Hybrid. One European hub (Paris, Brussels or Berlin) live-linked to one Canadian hub (Toronto, Montréal or Vancouver), both to be confirmed with partners. Open to participants from across EU member states.
Duration
Two to three days. Open to discussion with partners.
Language
English.
Cadence
The first edition of a recurring, documented format, not a one-off. Outputs are meant to be citable over time.
Who we want in the room
01Developers and engineersFrom both research ecosystems.
02Startup foundersEarly-stage, building in the four tracks.
03DesignersProduct, interaction and industrial.
04ResearchersUniversity staff and graduate students.
05Corporate innovationAs mentors and challenge sponsors.
06Institutional presenceParliament, missions or Commission, as observers.
MethodEU CAN Innovate04
Section 04
From prototype to impact
Output quality depends on the quality of the challenge behind it. Every track is scoped in advance with a real problem owner: an industry partner, a research consortium, or an organisation already working across the EU-Canada relationship. Never a generic, open-ended prompt.
01
A named challenge owner
Each track carries a genuine, unsolved problem and an organisation that owns it.
02
Teams matched in advance
Skills matched to the challenge, EU-Canada pairing built into pre-event matching rather than left to chance.
03
A committed next step
A pilot conversation, an accelerator place, or at minimum a scheduled debrief, agreed before the event.
The aim
A credible starting point for continued work, not a demo that ends when the room empties.
Indicative event flow
Day 1
Kick-off
Challenge owners brief all teams live across both hubs. Matched teams meet and settle their approach.
Day 2
Build
Teams prototype with mentors in their hub and sync across the Atlantic in the shared window.
Day 3
Demo
Teams present to their challenge owners, who confirm the agreed next step for each track.
TimelineEU CAN Innovate05
Section 05
Phases
- 01Now – Dec 2026Outreach and feedback
Share the concept with potential partners, gather input, refine scope and format.
- 02Early 2027Scoping and commitments
Confirm challenge owners, secure hosting and co-organising partners, fix both host cities.
- 03Mid – late 2027First edition
The event runs across both hubs.
- 04AfterDocumentation and follow-through
Record outcomes, follow up on challenge results, plan a second edition.
Deliberately decoupled from the EU-Canada political calendar. The pace is set to produce a solid first edition, not to chase a negotiation milestone.
PartnersEU CAN Innovate06
Section 06
Who we are looking to engage
We are seeking conversations with organisations in these categories.
A
Bilateral chambers of commerce and trade associations active in EU-Canada relations
B
Cleantech and innovation accelerator networks in the EU and Canada
C
Public funding and research bodies connected to Horizon Europe or equivalent Canadian programmes
D
Universities and research institutions with relevant technical expertise
E
Diplomatic missions and EU institutions, as observers or supporters rather than organisers
Four questions for you
- 01Does this fill a gap, or overlap with something you already run?
- 02A standalone hackathon, a track inside an existing event, or another model?
- 03What timing realistically fits the pace of the political process?
- 04Which of the four tracks matters most to your stakeholders?
About & contactEU CAN Innovate07
Let us
talk
About the initiator
An independent initiative led by Krishen Mertens, a Berlin-based design and innovation professional working at the intersection of technology and sustainability. Not undertaken on behalf of, or with the backing of, any employer.
Where things stand
EU CAN Innovate is at concept stage, not a confirmed event. We are testing whether the idea resonates, gathering honest feedback on scope and feasibility, and looking for co-organisers, hosts and challenge partners.
Initiator
Krishen Mertens
Berlin, Germany
Email
krishen.mertens@googlemail.com
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