Hi!ckathon
About the Hi!ckathon
5th Edition: AI & Sustainability
The Hi!ckathon is a competitive AI and Data Science challenge organized by Hi! PARIS, the Center dedicated to data science and AI. The center was created by HEC Paris and Institut Polytechnique de Paris in September 2020 with Inria joining in 2021.
It is open to students from Institut Polytechnique de Paris, HEC Paris and other universities – feel free to share around you! It will give you the possibility to work on an AI problem that is complex and has high business and societal stakes.
Date & Location
This 5th edition will take place in several stages:
- First, a preparation phase, starting on November 12. Four intermediate-level courses will be given.
- A Career Fair will be held on November 14 starting at 6:30 pm, at Télécom Paris. Come and discover internship and job opportunities in great AI & Data Science companies and start-ups!
- The final sprint on the weekend of Nov 29 – Dec 2. 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
This year's Hi!ckathon will focus on AI & Sustainability. The final sprint will take place on the weekend of Nov 29 - Dec 2, 2024.
Benefits for Participants
Skill Enhancement
Elevate your skills and tackle real-world challenges.
Expert Mentorship
Benefit from guidance by industry and academic experts.
Networking Opportunities
Connect with like-minded peers in the field.
Access to real-world datasets
Learn data science skills by working on real world problems
The event is supported by the seven Hi! PARIS corporate donors: L’Oréal, Capgemini, TotalEnergies, KERING, Rexel, VINCI and Schneider Electric, which will reward seven 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, roundtable discussions, a career fair, and an exciting final sprint weekend.
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 29 to Sunday, Dec 1 at ENSAE Paris, Palaiseau.
Pack your sleeping bag and get ready to stay on ENSAE’s campus for a weekend of coding and camaraderie!
- Opening ceremony from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm – Friday, Nov 29, 2024
- Kick-off of challenges at 8:00 pm.
- On Sunday evening at 5:00 pm, submit your deliverables!
Celebrate
In person on Monday, Dec 2!!
- Closing ceremony from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm.
Look back to the previous edition
The Hi!ckathon saw impressive participation with 407 students from over 15 schools and universities across 7 countries, highlighting the data event’s growing popularity. These students engaged in three weeks of intensive preparation leading up to the final sprint weekend. Held at ENSAE Paris, this concluding event gathered 198 students who dedicated their entire weekend to the final sprint, showcasing their skills and collaboration.
Hi!ckathon Impact: Hear What Last Editions' Students Have to Say!
FAQ
Can I participate to the Hi!ckathon?
The Hi!ckathon is open to all students from HEC Paris, École polytechnique, ENSAE, ENSTA, Télécom SudParis, Télécom Paris and other institutions and universities.
The challenge you will be facing during the Hi!ckathon is thrilling but difficult, it is primarily intended to students following master degrees or equivalent.
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 can I create or join a team?
After your application has been approved (within 10 days), you will gain access to a dedicated space within HFactory for team formation. You will be free to either create your own team or join an existing one.
How important is it to form interdisciplinary teams?
While it’s not compulsory, we recommend creating interdisciplinary teams to effectively address the challenges of the Hi!ckathon, which demand both coding skills and market insights.
Each team should include at least one proficient student in data science or a related field to enhance your chances of success in the competition.
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.
What is the registration deadline for the Hi!ckathon?
The registration deadline for the Hi!ckathon is set for October 27, 2023.
I'd like to cancel my registration for the Hi!ckathon: what should I do?
If you wish to cancel your participation to the Hi!ckathon just send an email at data-event@hi-paris.fr .
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 7 thematic awards of the Hi!ckathon?
Technical Excellence Award: rewards the model with the highest score. The score is a synthetic measure of the model’s precision and environmental performance.
Award for scientific approach: rewards the team among the finalists that has the best ability to justify its approach and compare it with the state of the art in data science.
Interdisciplinarity Award: rewards among the finalist teams, the teams that have managed to combine several disciplines in the production of the scientific approach and the video of the commercial development project.
Best Business Pitch Award: rewards among the finalist teams, the one that best projected itself in a market context through an impactful video speech.
Innovation Award: rewards among the finalist teams, those who produced an original, unexpected yet relevant solution.
Creativity Award: rewards among the finalist teams, the team that has demonstrated creativity in producing an outstanding business perspective.
Jury’s Crush Award: among the finalist teams, the team that has distinguished itself in several categories.
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 Saclay – and thanks to the exceptional support of our corporate donors.
This 5th edition of the Hi!ckathon has benefited from a government grant managed by the ANR under France 2030 with the reference “ANR-22-CMAS-0002”.