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Busan Metropolitan City to Host the 3rd Global Data Hackathon, DIVE 2026

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Busan Metropolitan City, led by Mayor Chun Jae-soo, announced that it will host DIVE 2026, a global data hackathon, at BEXCO for two days from tomorrow, July 25, through July 26.

DIVE is Korea’s largest global data hackathon organized by Busan Metropolitan City and is Busan’s flagship data event, bringing participants together to solve social challenges and create new value through data.

First launched in 2024, the event marks its third edition this year. It will be operated through a collaborative consortium involving 16 public institutions and private companies and will feature hands-on programs focused on solving real-world challenges connected to industry.

The competition will begin with an opening ceremony, followed by presentations of the challenge topics and judging criteria, team activities including data analysis and application service development, mentoring and evaluations by each challenge provider, stage presentations by outstanding teams, the final awards ceremony, and separate awards presented by each challenge provider.

The top-ranked team selected by each challenge provider will advance to the final round to compete for the grand prize, excellence award, and merit award. The winning teams will receive Busan Metropolitan City Mayor’s Awards and prize money. Separately, the first- through third-place teams selected by each challenge provider will receive certificates and prize money or other prizes. The total prize pool is valued at KRW 10 million.

Before the main competition, a two-week orientation and preliminary development period will be provided. During this period, participating teams will be able to work with sample data supplied by their selected challenge providers and strengthen their problem-solving capabilities through online feedback.

Approximately 1,000 Korean and international applicants applied for this year’s competition. Following the preliminary screening, 323 participants in 90 teams will advance to the final round.

The number of applicants increased significantly from last year, while continued participation by international applicants demonstrates the competition’s growing global profile.

A total of 39 international applicants from 19 countries applied, and 22 teams were formed as joint teams of Korean and international participants. Participants of diverse nationalities, including those from Uzbekistan, Myanmar, and Mongolia, will take part.

Approximately 600 applicants reside outside Busan. Participation has also expanded beyond university students, with a significant increase in working professionals, reflecting growing nationwide interest and engagement.

This year, nine consortia comprising public institutions and private companies will serve as challenge providers. They will supply data applicable to real-world industry settings and offer practical assignments designed to strengthen participants’ data analysis and application capabilities.

The nine consortia are Busan Metropolitan City and Korea Credit Bureau; Busan Techno Park and Korea Rating & Data; Korea Housing & Urban Guarantee Corporation and IEN; Busan Metropolitan Corporation and Seondo Soft; Busan Infrastructure Corporation and Willchair; Korea Institute of Maritime and Fisheries Technology, National Maritime Museum of Korea, and SANTA; Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology and 3D Labs; Busan Transportation Corporation and Zim Carry; and BNK Financial Group. A total of 16 institutions and companies are participating.

Rather than serving only as sponsors or mentors, local companies will participate alongside public institutions as challenge providers. They will offer a range of support, including industry-related data and mentoring.

Kim Dong-hyun, Director-General of the Future Technology Strategy Bureau, said, “Through the DIVE 2026 hackathon, we will actively support outstanding talent from diverse fields in Korea and abroad as they gather in Busan to expand the possibilities of data-driven innovation. We will also help Busan emerge as a leading city driving the transformation of future industries.”