What is the Belgian Navy Hackathon 2?
The Belgian Navy Hackathon is an open innovation event that brings together Navy personnel and civilian professionals from across the maritime ecosystem to co-create inventive, practical solutions to real problems shared by the Navy and the civilian maritime ecosystem. Now back for its second edition, the event continues to build collaboration and innovation for the Navy’s future.
Over two action-packed days, participants will tackle real challenges, design creative solutions, and accelerate innovation for the Navy’s future readiness. Whether you’re a maritime expert, an experienced professional, or a passionate innovator, this event offers a unique opportunity to engage in hands-on development and shape the future of naval capabilities.
Challenges
The Navy Hackathon 2 revolves around three key challenge areas: Technology, Ecosystem, and Procurement. Each challenge addresses concrete problems identified in close collaboration with Belgian Defence and industry experts, ensuring strong real-world relevance and impact.
Success requires expertise, creativity, and strategic thinking.
Requirements Clarity
Belgian Defence procurement faces multiple issues: fully capturing and accurately translating rapidly evolving needs into technical specifications can be challenging. Frequent rotation of staff means knowledge of the procurement process and tools is often lost. As a result, the procurement process is slow, labour-intensive, and sometimes leads to less-than-optimal products and services being procured.
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Hackathon output: producing a functioning prototype or at least a series of sketches based on a provided procurement project information will be a necessary condition for a successful pitch.
Redefining Relationship with Ecosystem
Across the maritime community — academia, industry, and Defence — there is strong willingness to collaborate on innovation projects, but the existing collaboration channels are fragmented. Multiple focused networks exist (e.g. industry-only like Alfaport Voka, academia–industry like De Blauwe Cluster, etc.) and some of these networks overlap and collaborate. However, there is no shared approach to bringing together the technology push from industry and academia with the pull from Defence or industry to solve immediate issues identified by the Navy or by the community.
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Hackathon output: work with a concrete example of Defence or Industry needs (pull) or Academia / industry tech (push) as a test case to describe the functioning of the platform or process. Demonstrating a viable business model for this platform or process will be a necessary condition for a successful pitch.
Resilient Data
The Belgian North Sea is monitored by a wide range of public and private actors — Navy, MIK, police, customs, port authorities, offshore operators, wind-farm owners, researchers, and more. Each generates potentially valuable data, yet data remain fragmented across different systems, owners, formats, and legal frameworks.
This fragmentation slows down the ability to detect, interpret, and react to critical incidents — from environmental violations to smuggling, intrusions, sabotage attempts, or underwater threats. Workload at the MIK continues to grow, while underwater sensing capacity still lags behind surface and aerial domains.
An additional barrier to effective use of the available data is the rapidly (compared to the early days of MIK) shifting geopolitical context and potential new tasks for the Belgian Navy, which complicates maintaining SOPs / written guidelines on reacting to certain threats.
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Hackathon Output: describe a governance and collaboration approach, as well as low-hanging-fruit technical innovations, that would make MIK - among other actors - more effective and more efficient together. A viable business model will be a necessary condition for a successful pitch.
Winning criteria
The Jury will evaluate all projects on these five criteria:
- Desirability (Does the solution directly address the problem and align with the scope of the relevant challenge? Does it offer a tangible difference?)?
- Viability (is there sound business logic behind the solution?)
- Feasibility (from a technical perspective, is it easy to implement? Does it rely on existing technology, or does it require significant development?)
- Creativity (novelty of approach)
- Elegance of the solution (simple yet effective)
Who can take part in the Navy Hackathon 2?
The Navy Hackathon 2 is an Open Innovation event that relies on a diverse mix of expertise. We welcome participants from across the Belgian maritime, defence, and technology ecosystems to join us in tackling real-world challenges.
This includes Maritime Professionals and Ecosystem Stakeholders, from current strategic partners to new collaborators in shipbuilding, dredging, ports, logistics, and insurance, all looking to develop future cooperative projects. Navy Personnel and Defence Staff (officers, petty officers, and seamen) are invited to ensure solutions align perfectly with operational needs.
Furthermore, we actively encourage Students and Researchers from academia and research centres to bring cutting-edge knowledge and skills, as well as Startups and Technology Innovators with disruptive solutions, to contribute fresh perspectives and expertise to the maritime and defence challenges. If you have a passion for naval innovation, regardless of your background, we want you there.
The Navy Hackathon experience
The first edition of this event was an absolute blast! Here’s a short video to give you a feel of it:
Event programme
You and your team will have 2 days to design, prototype, and showcase innovative solutions. You’ll take part in ideation workshops, get unique insights from experts, and roll up your sleeves to push the boundaries of known and unknown.
Bring your best ideas, sharpest problem-solving skills, and most persuasive pitching abilities—and get ready to impress the Jury!
Supported by
Meet the experts
A group of outstanding experts were at hand to share their knowledge with participants, to fine-tune the closing pitch, and to guide throughout the event.
EXPERT
Commander s.g. Michel Eyckmans
Michel Eyckmans is a 30+ year navy reserve officer and the current Navy Innovation Officer, as well as a computer science engineer with a long career in high-tech R&D. In civilian life, he spent 16 years developing design methodology at a leading micro-electronics lab in Belgium. He then managed innovative R&D in telecommunication and security software for major automotive OEMs. In his naval career, he has worked on numerous technology-related assignments and joined the Navy’s innovation cell in 2023.
EXPERT
Shivam Selleri
Shivam Selleri is a Belgian Navy officer working within the Belgian Defence’s Material Resources Department, in the Naval Systems domain. He has been responsible for the resource management of Sensor, Weapon, and Communication systems for Naval Mine Warfare, supporting capability definition and acquisition processes by translating operational needs into technical requirements. He is currently involved in the follow-up of the Navy’s new rMCM capability through its delivery phase. Alongside his core role, he contributes to innovation initiatives that explore how emerging technologies can improve defence processes.
EXPERT
Yves Van Seters
Yves Van Seters is Valorisation Manager and Business Developer at the Antwerp Maritime Academy, bridging academia and industry to drive technology adoption and ecosystem growth. Yves has a proven track record in ecosystem development, digital technology initiatives, and project development that advance future maritime skills. He champions innovation and connects technology with society to create impactful collaborations and elevate organizational visibility. Yves holds a Master in Modern History from KU Leuven, enriching his strategic perspective with strong analytical and storytelling skills.
EXPERT
Olivier De Meyst
Olivier De Meyst is a Belgian Navy officer serving within the Material Resources Department of Belgian Defence, in the Naval Systems domain. An engineer at heart, he combines strong technical expertise with solid operational and acquisition experience: he deployed at sea on an M-class frigate as Technical Officer responsible for sensors, weapons, and communication systems, and subsequently worked on major procurement programs, including the ASW frigates and the MCM Toolbox.
Beyond his primary assignments, he actively supports NATO interoperability initiatives, with a strong focus on capability integration and multi-domain collaboration. He is driven by innovation, continuously exploring emerging technologies that can enhance operational effectiveness and future naval capabilities.
EXPERT
Karel Buijsse
Karel Buijsse serves as Chief Product Officer at e-BO Enterprises, a Belgian defence technology company specializing in secure connectivity, OT cybersecurity, and resilient data solutions for defence and renewable energy infrastructure. With over 25 years of experience driving digital transformation for Defence, Utilities, and Traffic & Surveillance markets, he brings deep expertise in networked systems where data integrity and operational continuity are mission-critical. Previously at Barco, he managed the development of visualization and data management solutions deployed in high-stakes environments such as NATO-grade control room environments. A KU Leuven alumnus with an MSc in Electronics and Data Communication, Karel now focuses on secure sensor fusion platforms and cyber-resilient ecosystems that enable faster, data-driven decision-making in contested operational environments.
EXPERT
Jeroen Van Overloop
Jeroen Van Overloop is a maritime security expert and Head of Maritime Information Centre at the Belgian Navy. His work focuses on maritime safety, especially in relation to offshore wind energy and its interaction with shipping.
As a reserve officer in the Belgian Navy, Jeroen brings a strategic perspective to offshore renewable energy development, ensuring the coexistence of wind farms and maritime operations. His contributions also extend to risk assessments for wind energy installations, aiming to balance maritime safety with renewable energy advancements.
EXPERT
Paris Van Paesschen
Paris Van Paesschen is a policy advisor on defence industry and defence innovation at the Flemish Government. He serves as program director of the Flemish Innovation and Industry Strategy for Security and Defence, which he authored in 2025 and which is currently being implemented. The strategy focuses on delivering key building blocks to strengthen security and defence innovation ecosystems.
In addition, Paris serves as a reserve officer in the Belgian Navy, supporting the Innovation Taskforce and MarFus.
EXPERT
Daniel Du Seuil
Daniel Du Seuil is an Innovation Manager at Blue Cluster, where he focuses on the protection of critical maritime infrastructure. In this role, he contributes to the development of a dedicated innovation roadmap commissioned by RHID and VLAIO, aimed at structurally strengthening security, resilience, and innovation across the maritime ecosystem.
He brings extensive experience from his previous role as Research Coordinator at Howest, as well as from leading numerous national and European innovation projects and earlier IT management and innovation assignments within the Flemish government. With a background at the intersection of technology, policy, and public-private collaboration, Daniel is well-positioned to translate complex cybersecurity and resilience challenges into concrete, high-impact
EXPERT
Kris Van Snick
Kris Van Snick, ICT Team Manager at Jan De Nul Group, has 24 years of experience within the ICT department, where he had different roles in development management, application architecture and data management.
Through his involvement in multiple projects, he has witnessed the evolution of the ICT landscape and all its associated aspects, with challenges like information security and data integrity, which are given increasing importance and attention. Together with his team, he provides solutions across the entire Jan De Nul organisation to support all operational activities, with a particular focus on logistics processes.
He combines a pragmatic approach with an eye for the bigger picture to consistently deliver targeted and safe solutions, together with a long-term vision.
Meet the jury
Teams were evaluated by experts, both militart and civilian
EXPERT JURY
Stephan Lepouttre
Stephan Lepouttre leads as Director, the PwC’s Defence and Defence Industry practice, building strong relationships across the Belgian Defence ecosystem, including senior leadership, the cabinet, KMS and KHID. He guided the Defense Scale Program for dual‑use start-ups and supported the BSDI Agoria’s annual members day on Eco-systems , while currently also being a Kan-Res-Mil for the Belgian Navy.
With over 15 years of experience in management consulting and organizational transformation, he combines deep expertise in complex change, stakeholder management and delivering tangible results.
EXPERT JURY
Freddy Wynants
Freddy Wynants is Operations Manager within the Dredging & Infra segment of DEME. He is responsible for overseeing tender processes in Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as the operational follow‑up of maintenance dredging projects, including those on the River Scheldt. DEME is a leading contractor in the fields of offshore energy, dredging, marine infrastructure, and environmental remediation, and contributes to developing solutions for protecting critical infrastructure such as subsea cables, offshore structures, LNG terminals, and more. A constant focus on operational excellence and technological innovation in equipment is deeply embedded in DEME’s DNA.
EXPERT JURY
Steven Lauwereys
Steven Lauwereys is Chief Strategy and Policy Officer at Royal Higher Institute for Defence, responsible for the development and implementation of the Belgian Defence, Industry and Research Strategy.
EXPERT JURY
Alex Steffen
Alex Steffen is Head of the Survey & MARED Department within the International Division of Jan De Nul Group. In this role, he leads teams deployed worldwide to support all operational activities of the company, ensuring continuous monitoring of offshore and nearshore marine construction works. His department is responsible for hydrographic measurements and the highly precise positioning of all assets, both above and below water, which form an essential part of these operations. Efficient data management plays a critical role in this process, as data is fundamental to the core activities of Jan De Nul Group.
With over 30 years of experience in hydrography—spending the first 10 years working on projects in the field around the world and the subsequent 20 years heading the department—he has witnessed and driven the major technological evolution within the industry. Throughout this period, Jan De Nul Group has consistently taken a leading role in innovation.
EXPERT JURY
Emma O’Connell
Emma O’Connell is an Assistant Legal Procurement Consultant at Corvers Commercial and Legal Affairs, specialising in defence and security innovation procurement. She advises on EU-level defence procurement frameworks and co-drafted Corvers’ 2026 recommendations on revising the Defence and Security Procurement Directive 2009/81/EC, with a focus on innovation-friendly rules for AI-related capabilities, secure digital infrastructure and cooperative procurement.
She has practical expertise in EU-funded Pre-Commercial Procurement projects for security and first responder capabilities, and has supported public buyers and ministries on defence-related procurement and compliance, including under wartime conditions. With a background in Globalisation and Law, specialising in international trade and investment law, she offers insights on how EU defence spending and industrial investment can support the European defence technological and industrial base and operational readiness.
EXPERT JURY
Frank Gielen
Frank Gielen is an experienced innovator and investor with deep roots in defence, R&D, and early-stage tech. He began his career as a NATO missile systems officer and later helped develop secure networks for a DoD-backed startup Tellium, which IPO’d on NASDAQ. Frank has led university innovation and spin-out programs, launched Europe’s top-ranked iStart accelerator, and currently serves as Executive Director and Partner at InnoEnergy, where he supports dual-use and digital cleantech ventures. His work bridges defence and energy innovation, leveraging decades of experience at the intersection of deep tech and strategic investment.
EXPERT JURY
Elwin Van Herck
Elwin Van Herck is a Belgian drone industry pioneer and technology entrepreneur, serving as CEO of Noordzee Drones, a leading European training and expertise centre for professional unmanned aerial systems. He entered the drone sector more than a decade ago while searching for cost-efficient aerial imaging solutions for his media production work, and quickly became involved in shaping the emerging ecosystem and regulatory framework around drones in Belgium.
Under his leadership, Noordzee Drones has trained thousands of professional pilots and supports industry, public safety organisations, and government institutions in deploying drone technology for inspection, security, infrastructure, and offshore operations. Van Herck is also deeply involved in the broader European drone community, serving as President of the Belgian Drone Federation, Vice-President of the Belgian Civil Drone Council, and board member of the Joint European Drone Association.
Through his work, he actively contributes to the development of the European drone ecosystem, bridging innovation, regulation, and real-world applications across civil, industrial, and defence-related use cases.
Ready to jump on board?
Partners
If you’d like to sponsor the event and be part of the Navy Hackathon 2 partner ecosystem, contact us at hello@inno4def.be
Knowledge partners
Participating organisations
