Over two days, around 50 SDC:PT colleagues from Porto and Lisbon stepped away from their daily routines to focus on one thing: building any solution they wanted to tackle a problem chosen from a curated list. These problems were only vaguely stated, and it was up for the teams to investigate and interview the problem owners in order to understand better their nature and how they could help fixing them.

The SDC Hackathon is all about creativity, teamwork, and innovation. Just like the other hackathons happening across our Tech Units, it’s a time to break the routine — to be bold and think outside of the typical business mindset.

Throughout the event, participants not only worked intensively on their chosen challenges but also joined a series of side quests. Like any good RPG, there’s the main mission, but the side quests make the journey more fun and meaningful.

These side quests were designed to connect people, spark creativity, and share stories about SDC and Volkswagen Group Digital Solutions [Portugal] — from history and inside jokes to fun facts about our colleagues. They weren’t just for entertainment; they helped everyone bond, learn more about each other, and see the bigger picture of our Tech Unit and company.

These small moments of connection turned out to be key. They unlocked new ideas and reminded everyone that innovation happens best when curiosity and joy lead the way — when we’re not afraid to make mistakes and try something new.

One of the most talked-about side quests was the “Bad Pitch” challenge, where one member of each team had to present the worst possible idea to solve their problem. The creativity and humor that came out of it were incredible — it was easily one of the highlights of the hackathon.

The event wrapped up with a live session that brought everyone together — participants, organizers, and spectators. Each team presented their solutions, shared what they learned, and celebrated what they accomplished in just two days of intense collaboration.

The variety and quality of the projects were impressive, and creativity was present in every single one. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, recognizing the strong spirit of innovation and teamwork that drives our company forward.

As with every hackathon, there was a winner — and since Volkswagen Group Digital Solutions [Portugal] hackathons are one of the innovation engines Road Explorers, the winning team was invited by the Scouts of Road Explorers to move straight to the Pitch Week phase. This recognition highlights the potential of their solution to scale and create real value for the company.

In the end, the SDC Hackathon once again proved that when talented, curious minds and bold ideas come together, remarkable things happen. It showcased the power of collaboration, the strength of our innovation culture, and our collective drive to push boundaries.

Each edition leaves us with the same feeling — stronger and more connected. Together, we keep building a curious, innovative community of explorers, unafraid to experiment, take risks, and imagine what comes next.