UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE – REPSOL FOUNDATION

Repsol Foundation organised its first University Challenge on Energy Transition, a competition aimed at students from various disciplines to address different challenges related to the energy transition. The finalists took part in a 48-hour in-person hackathon to select the winning projects, allowing the participants to become the main focus and present their proposals to a panel of industry professionals.

The goal of the University Challenge was clear: to create a unique experience that would not only enhance the image of Repsol and its Foundation but also encourage student participation in future events, positioning the Foundation as a leader in energy transition with this audience.

To achieve this, we drew on the concept of an American university, which – in line with the Repsol Foundation’s values – conveyed the challenge students had to tackle: sustainability.To achieve this, we drew on the concept of an American university, which – in line with the Repsol Foundation’s values – conveyed the challenge students had to tackle: sustainability.

With the slogan ‘A challenge that will energise your career’, over 90 students from various universities gathered over the two days to take centre stage in the experience.

The hackathon took place in the Green Patio, utilizing all available rooms to divide the finalist teams into separate work areas, each focused on a different challenge. Additionally, we set up a stage area where presentations were held to guide the students in preparing and confidently presenting their proposals to the jury during the elevator pitch session.

On the second day, participants put the finishing touches on their proposals and presented the 25 projects to a panel of judges. The day culminated in an awards gala, featuring speeches from Repsol’s president, Antonio Brufau, along with other industry leaders, who recognised the talent and creativity of the participants. In addition, awards were created by members of the Círvite association, which is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with intellectual disabilities and their families.

An incredibly immersive app

Additionally, SOMOS Communications developed an app with 14 sections. The app provided essential event information, such as a welcome message, detailed agenda and speaker profiles, as well as exclusive features that enhanced the overall experience. Among these, the app included a private chat for attendees, an option for submitting expense receipts, a survey section and various maps to help navigate the event venue.

But that’s not all – the app was also used to create interactive experiences for participants throughout the two-day event. One of these initiatives included a survey where participants could suggest songs that had inspired them during the creation of their projects, which were later compiled into an exclusive playlist. Additionally, a ‘Wall of Memories’ was set up, where attendees could share images from the event, which were later displayed during the awards ceremony.

The results of the event were highly positive, as reflected in the final feedback survey, where students expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to participate in a hackathon alongside leading figures in the field.

The app saw over 115 users register, with a high participation rate in the surveys. Attendees contributed more than 45 songs to the playlist, over 50 images to the memory wall, and more than 50 interactions through the private chat.