2nd MERIThON in Vilnius: Driving Innovation Through Collaboration

From 19 to 22 November, the 2nd MERIThON took place at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH), uniting creative minds from across Europe in an inspiring ideathon. Co-organised by the MERIT and SustAInLivWork projects, this dynamic event gathered participants from diverse backgrounds and institutions to tackle artificial intelligence (AI)-driven challenges, showcasing creativity, problem-solving skills, and technological expertise.

The event featured 13 teams and 25 expert mentors representing institutions such as Tampere University (Finland), Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania), Texas A&M University (USA), University of Telepegaso (Italy), and partners from the MERIT project. Collaborating companies such as SMEs NOD Baltic, STEKAS, and Everwest, as well as regulatory bodies and academic experts, enriched the event with their guidance and support.

Over the course of four dynamic days, participants (both on-site and online) explored cutting-edge AI applications to solve 15 real-world challenges. Through intensive workshops, mentoring sessions, and collaborative efforts, teams refined their ideas, culminating in a thrilling pitch session on 22 November, where the top seven ideas were presented in a pitch-style finale.

Celebrating Winners and Innovative Ideas

From the 13 participating teams, four stood out and were recognised for their exceptional work:

• Most Mature Idea: Team EVALA
  EVALA developed an AI-powered solution for real estate price estimation, integrating diverse data sources like formal reports, real estate photos, and contextual information to deliver accurate property valuations.
• Most Innovative Ideas: Farmers Fellow & Teach Me
  • Farmers Fellow: A platform empowering young farmers with tailored recommendations for sustainable agricultural practices based on land use data and farming insights.
  • Teach Me: An AI-driven tool designed to improve English pronunciation through personalised feedback and clear rules for speech improvement.
• Most Contextual Idea: TrustDeal Team
  TrustDeal addressed e-commerce trust issues with an AI system that evaluates online shops’ credibility by analysing product details, user reviews, and web traffic, ensuring safer shopping experiences.

Beyond the Competition: MERIThON as a Catalyst for Growth

The MERIThON is more than just a contest. It is a platform for innovation, networking, and future development. Some of the ideas generated in the 2nd MERIThON have already gained traction with industry leaders: one team received an offer to prototype their solution, while another participant secured a job opportunity thanks to their demonstrated skills and engagement during the event.

Looking Ahead to AI-Driven Solutions

The success of the 2nd MERIThON underscores the importance of platforms as MERIT in fostering collaboration, advancing digital skills, and driving the development of AI-powered solutions to tackle global challenges. The organisers look forward to scaling the ideas generated and connecting them with potential investors, developers, and the broader global community.

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More information: 2nd MERIThON in Vilnius.