About the Hi!ckathon
The Hi!ckathon is a flagship AI and Data Science challenge organized by Hi! PARIS, the interdisciplinary center for data science and artificial intelligence.
Open to students from Institut Polytechnique de Paris, HEC Paris, and partner universities, this competition invites participants to tackle a real-world AI problem with significant business and societal impact. Over the course of the challenge, participants will have the opportunity to collaborate in teams, apply their technical skills, and confront the kind of complex issues faced by companies and institutions today.
Spread the word and join us to put your skills to the test!
Date & Location
This 6th edition will take place in several stages:
- First, a preparation phase, starting in early November. Six intermediate-level courses will be given.
- A Career Fair will be held on November 18, at Télécom Paris. Come and discover internship and job opportunities in great AI & Data Science companies and start-ups! Register here!
- The final sprint on the weekend of Nov 28 – Dec 1. You will have the opportunity to share a unique experience during this in-person weekend and to learn a lot thanks to mixed teams with fellow students with a large variety of background
Hi!ckathon Journey
The final sprint will take place on the weekend of Nov 28 - Dec 1, 2025.
Benefits for Participants
Skill Enhancement
Elevate your skills and tackle real-world challenges.
Expert Mentorship
Benefit from guidance by industry and academic experts.
Meet & Connect
Connect with like-minded peers in the field.
Hands-on Data
Learn data science skills by working on real world problems
The event is supported by Hi! PARIS corporate donors: L’Oréal, Capgemini, TotalEnergies, VINCI and Schneider Electric, which will reward five winning teams with thematic awards.
Ready to Apply?
This is your chance to work on real life data science problems, improve your skill set, learn from expert data science and machine learning professionals.
You also stand a chance to win awards and discover internships and job opportunities within great companies and start-ups!
Start your Hi!ckathon journey today!
Program
This edition’s program covers a wide range of courses, a career fair, and an exciting final sprint weekend.
1- What are the key challenges and benefits of the problem you’re tackling
2- How does your proposed solution effectively address it?
3- What makes your solution stand out from others?
We’ll also provide tips on handling questions effectively, being thoroughly prepared, and managing unexpected situations during your pitch. We look forward to seeing you there!
Hi! PARIS wishes to offer students an occasion to discover the opportunities (jobs, internships) on Data Science and AI companies and startups have to offer.
This edition will take place at the Télécom Paris campus.
We hope it will be a great opportunity for you to discover the fantastic opportunities you can find in IA and Data Science!
– Register here (HEC Paris Students)
– Register here (IP Paris Schools Students)
Compete
In person from Friday, Nov 28 to Sunday, Nov30 at IP Paris, Palaiseau.
Pack your sleeping bag and get ready to stay on IP Paris’s campus for a weekend of coding and camaraderie!
- Opening ceremony from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM – Friday, Nov 28, 2025
- Kick-off of challenges at 8:00 PM.
- On Sunday evening at 5:00 PM, submit your deliverables!
Celebrate
In person on Monday, Dec 1!!
- Closing ceremony from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM.
Look back to the previous edition
The Hi!ckathon brought together over 300 students, underscoring the event’s growing momentum. Participants spent three weeks in intensive preparation before the final sprint weekend. Hosted at Télécom Paris, the closing event gathered hundreds of students who devoted their entire weekend to tackling the challenge, demonstrating both their skills and collaborative spirit.
FAQ
Can I participate to the Hi!ckathon?
The Hi!ckathon is open to all students from HEC Paris, École polytechnique, ENSAE Paris, ENSTA Paris, Télécom SudParis, Télécom Paris, ENPC, the Institut Polytechnique de Paris, the Université de Technologie de Troyes, and other institutions and universities.
I have no prior knowledge in Data Science; can I still participate?
Yes, you can.
However, to succeed in the competition, it is essential to have at least one proficient student in Data Science as part of your team.
How will the teams be formed?
The Hi! PARIS team is responsible for forming the teams, taking into account the information provided in your registration form.
You can indicate up to two people you would prefer to be paired with, but please note that we cannot guarantee you will be placed with them.
What will I need to do during the Hi!ckathon?
During the Hi!ckathon, participating teams will be tasked with developing a data science model, explaining their scientific approach, and creating a business-related project.
How can I prepare for the Hi!ckathon?
No specific preparation is required to participate in the Hi!ckathon. However, to enhance collaboration within interdisciplinary teams, students with no prior knowledge of Data Science may consider taking initiation classes. Three machine learning courses at basic-intermediate level are offered, as well as a pitch course.
What is the registration deadline for the Hi!ckathon?
The deadline is November 27. However, spots are limited, and demand is high. Registrations may be declined once all spots are filled.
I'd like to cancel my registration for the Hi!ckathon: what should I do?
If you wish to cancel your participation in the Hi!ckathon, please submit this form:
https://forms.office.com/e/Ryf97yX5ZN
What language is used for the event? Do I need to submit my work in that language?
The organizing team uses English as the primary language for communication. Therefore, you will be required to submit your work in English, particularly the scientific procedure document and your business project video.
What are the 5 thematic awards of the Hi!ckathon?
- Technical Excellence Award: Recognizes the model with the highest score, based on a synthetic measure of its precision and environmental performance.
- Scientific Approach Award: Honors the team, among the finalists, that demonstrates the best ability to justify its approach and compare it with the state of the art in data science.
- Interdisciplinarity Award: Celebrates the finalist teams that successfully integrate multiple disciplines into their scientific approach and the pitch for their commercial development project.
- Best Business Pitch Award: Rewards the finalist team that delivers the most impactful pitch, effectively projecting their solution in a market context.
- Public’s Crush Award: Highlights the finalist team with the best pitch, as chosen by the audience.
About Hi! PARIS
Hi! PARIS is a multidisciplinary center dedicated to AI and Data Science at the service of Science, Business and Society. Created in September 2020 by two leading institutions – Institut Polytechnique de Paris and HEC Paris – joined by Inria, CNRS and UTT and thanks to the exceptional support of our corporate donors.
This 6th edition of the Hi!ckathon has benefited from a government grant managed by the ANR under France 2030.
Furthermore, this edition benefits from the support and funding of the Dieter Schwarz Stiftung.