The competition invites innovative ideas to improve customer engagement, integrate sustainable operations, introduce new digital solutions, and shape community life at one of Budapest’s largest shopping centers. Applications are open until September 1.

The Gránit Pólus Group views Westend not only as a retail destination but also as one of the capital’s important community spaces, where visitors can recharge, relax and meet others.

In recent years, the group has introduced a range of developments in line with this vision, including interactive community areas, upgrades to the rooftop park, and sustainable operational practices such as solar energy use and AI-driven solutions.

The Westend Innovation Center, which is organizing the event, is seeking applications from young professionals with commercial or business backgrounds — such as programmers, marketers, strategists, business developers, UX/UI designers, content creators, and proptech and fintech specialists — as well as startup founders.

The diverse range of fields reflects the organizers’ belief that multidisciplinary concepts have the greatest chance of success, a diversity they expect will be mirrored in team composition.

Participants can apply individually or in teams of three to five, with individual applicants assigned to teams by organizers. Over 24 hours, participants will develop bold, digital-first ideas tailored to the shopping center’s characteristics, rethinking operations and the customer journey in ways that could even help increase tenants’ basket size, or average customer spend.

The focus will not be limited to retail-related solutions — ideas improving logistical efficiency will also be welcomed.

Guidance From Proptech Experts

PropTech Hungary is the professional partner of the event, providing industry insight and mentorship. The hackathon will feature guidance from top European proptech experts, including Simon Staack, managing director and co-founder of Emplate, and Erwin Buckers, CEO and co-founder of Chainels, who will contribute their international experience to help refine participants’ concepts.

Teams will present their ideas the next day to a professional jury comprising Péter Csillag, one of Hungary’s most prominent IT and data technology experts and an investor on the television program Cápák Között; Gergely Petheő, IKEA’s retail innovation leader; Zoltán Kalmár, founder of PropTech Hungary and a digital transformation specialist; Stefánia Csordás, Westend’s B2C director; and Patrik Pálvölgyi, head of the Westend Innovation Center.

The winning team will receive a Westend gift card worth HUF 1 million, along with other valuable prizes.

“The Gránit Pólus Group views its real estate portfolio as a long-term investment, which we aim to operate smartly, sustainably and cost-effectively, according to the highest standards,” said Miklós Gyertyánfy, CEO of Gránit Pólus Group.

“We are aware of the responsibility that comes with operating Westend Shopping Center, given its size and market position, and this responsible approach makes it especially important for us to integrate forward-looking, innovative solutions into our operations. The young professionals who now help make Westend more efficient and engaging with their ideas will, in effect, be our partners in rethinking how we city dwellers will live, connect and use urban spaces in the near and distant future,” he added.
 

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