1.The event

Hackathon for a Cause is a Portugal Tech Week 2026 main initiative, organised by 351 Portuguese Startup Association with Brainstorm – Portuguese ADHD Association and Institute for Tomorrow. It runs from 9 to 13 November 2026, onsite at the Portugal Tech Week Palace (Rua Gomes Freire 98, 1150-179 Lisboa) and online.

Our job is to give you a great collaborative experience: meet people, learn from mentors and peers, and build something that matters. These terms explain what we expect from you and what you can expect from us.

2.Who can take part

Anyone in Portugal, onsite or fully online, alone or with a team. Participants under 18 need the consent of a parent or legal guardian.

Register as a solo participant, or as the representative of your team. Solo participants can be matched with teammates if they prefer.

3.Registration and spots

Registration is done on Luma and spots are limited. The organisers may keep a waiting list, and may cancel a registration that breaks these terms or the Code of Conduct.

Please keep your registration up to date, and release your spot if you can no longer come.

4.The challenge and what to deliver

The challenge from Brainstorm is revealed at the kickoff on Monday 9 November. Teams build a working prototype or demo and a short pitch. A finished product is not required: show a realistic user journey and be clear about what works today and what is still an idea.

Results are submitted by Thursday 12 November at 21:00 for pre-review, and presented at the final pitches on Friday 13 November, 17:30 to 20:00.

5.Your work and ownership

You keep the ownership of what you build. By submitting your results, you allow the organisers and their partners to view, demo and publicly show your project and pitch, in the event and in related communication.

Use only material you have the right to use. If you use open-source code, images, data or third-party services, respect their licences and credit them. If a project is to continue beyond the event, for example together with Brainstorm, that is agreed openly between the team and Brainstorm.

6.Ideas shared during the event

Ideas shared by you or anyone else during the event are contributions to the overall experience and community. If you want to protect an idea, limit what you share to a rough outline without giving away key information.

7.Building responsibly

The challenge touches on people’s health and daily lives. Do not use real personal or health data in your prototype or demo: use made-up data. Design with privacy, consent and user autonomy in mind, and do not claim your prototype diagnoses, treats or replaces professional support.

Treat the stories and experiences people share with Brainstorm as shared in trust. Do not publish or repost them without the person’s agreement.

8.Prizes and jury

Prizes are to be announced. A jury gives feedback and chooses the winners at the final pitches. The jury’s decision is final.

9.Community agreement

You agree to be inclusive of all people and their ideas, act professionally, treat everyone with respect and take care of the event facilities. You are responsible for any accidents or damage you cause. You also agree to follow our Code of Conduct.

10.Liability

By taking part, you agree not to hold Portugal Tech Week, the organisers, the volunteer team, the partners or the venue liable for any loss, damage, injury or unforeseeable incident. This does not limit any right that cannot be limited by law.

11.Photos, video and content

We take photos and videos at the event. By taking part you allow their use in promotional and communication materials of Portugal Tech Week and its partners. If you do not want to appear, tell a member of the team and we will do our best to respect it.

12.Your details

Registration is handled on Luma. The organisers use your details to run the event and to contact you about it.

13.Changes

We may change the schedule, format or venue if needed, for example for safety or capacity. We will tell registered participants as early as possible.

14.Questions

Write to the organisers through the event page on Luma, or ask any member of the team at the Palace.