The University of Florence fosters open innovation by co-designing hackathons and innovation challenges with external organisations and businesses. These initiatives enable organisations to present real-world challenges to Unifi students and early-career researchers, inspiring out-of-the-box thinking and the development of concrete, innovative solutions to complex real-world problems. Hackathon What they are: Structured creative hackathons lasting between 24 and 72 hours, guided by innovation methodologies such as design thinking. They feature training sessions, dedicated mentoring from academic staff and experts, teamwork, and intermediate review checkpoints, leading to the submission and presentation of final projects (pitches).Why choose them: They offer an ideal format for organisations and businesses looking to generate out-of-the-box ideas rapidly, test new product or service concepts, and recruit talent by assessing participants' problem-solving skills, creativity, and teamwork.How to launch a hackathon with Unifi: The business defines the challenge scope along with the required human and technical resources. The University team collaborates with the organisation to co-design the initiative, engage participants, build teams, provide scientific guidance, and manage the event. Innovation Challenges What they are: Creative competitions ranging in duration from a few days to several months, guided by innovation methodologies such as design thinking. Participants work in teams on a well-defined technological or strategic challenge, aiming to propose a concrete solution by the scheduled deadline.Why choose them: They offer an opportunity for organisations and businesses seeking detailed solutions, projects, or prototypes for an innovation challenge.How to launch a challenge with Unifi: The business submits its innovation requirement. The University team supports the organisation in co-designing the challenge, engaging participants, building teams, and providing mentoring and project management.