The hackathon was held from Saturday, February 15 – February 22 (one week event), bringing together 100+ tech enthusiasts from across Palestine, providing them with a unique platform to collaborate, innovate, and develop solutions that address real-world challenges rooted in local market needs.

“This past week was amazing”, said Mohamed Odeh, a learner that is currently enrolled in the program.  “Our team worked together to create Rafeeq, a web application chatbot powered by artificial intelligence that provides mental health care through motivational quotes, videos, and conversations.”. Odeh is currently completing his Nanodegree in AI Programming with Python and Tensorflow. 

“We witnessed students push their limits in an intense, fast-paced hackathon—collaborating, refining their ideas, and crafting meaningful narratives behind their innovations. This was more than just a tech challenge; it was about building purpose-driven brands and tackling real social and environmental issues in the region. From mental health support to renewable energy solutions and beyond, these talented individuals proved that localization, creativity, and tech expertise go hand in hand in shaping a more sustainable future” ” said Suzan Bargouthi, Senior Programme Officer at SPARK. “Students went above and beyond, even creating marketing brand guidelines for their solutions!” she added.

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Problem-Solving

The hackathon was designed not only as a technical competition but as a collaborative space where students from different disciplines could come together to solve pressing issues facing the Palestinian tech sector. By working in interdisciplinary teams, students applied their skills in Data Science, AI, and Web Development to create solutions that focus on digital inclusion, economic development, and access to education.

Hackathon Judges, mentors, and co-coaches

In addition to the collaborative challenges, the hackathon featured a judges’ panel including:

• Abedelrahman Khatib AI Consultant at Aqlama.ai
• Hasan Hajasa’d, Head of Data Analytics at Bank of Palestine
• Mai Abuthraa, Full Stack Web Developer at Downhome Solutions 
• Hussein Soboh, Senior Data Scientist at Datixlabs . 

Alongside them, mentors and co-coaches from industry experts who played an invaluable role in making this hackathon a success. Their dedication and insights didn’t just refine participants’ skills—they sparked fresh thinking, inspired innovation, and helped nurture the next generation of Palestinian tech talent. With localized know-how and tailored guidance, mentors provided invaluable support, strengthening the foundation of a sustainable and thriving tech ecosystem.

“Seeing these students transform ideas into well-developed, impactful solutions was truly inspiring. Their creativity, teamwork, and dedication—handling everything from branding to soft skills and technical execution—prove that Palestine’s tech future is full of potential!” said Mai Abuthraa (Full Stack Web Developer at Downhome Solutions) who was on the judging panel.

The third edition of the Palestine Launchpad with Google Hackathon showcased the power of collaboration, innovation, and tech-driven solutions in Palestine. By bringing together emerging talent, industry experts, and purpose-driven solutions, this event reinforced Palestine’s growing role in the global digital economy, proving that the future of Palestinian tech is brighter than ever.

Find out more about the Palestine Launchpad Programme to take your skills to the next level, register here to get informed about the upcoming cohorts.