Garage48 Future of Wood 2026 makeathon
Garage48 Future of Wood is back!
Join us for an epic 3‑day makeathon where ambitious students, creative problem‑solvers with an entrepreneurial mindset, and wood industry experts come together to turn bold ideas into tangible prototypes.
📅 When: 8-10 May 2026
📍 Where: TSENTER (Pärna 1, Väimela, Võrumaa)
👷♀️ Who: Anyone excited to build the future of wood – no previous hackathon experience needed. Come with your own idea, team up with the idea you relate to most, or help solve a challenge from our partners. Bring your friends, or make new ones on site.
👉 Sign up as an individual or as a team HERE 👈
What is Garage48 Future of Wood?
Over one intensive weekend, participants form teams and develop new solutions for smarter and more sustainable use of wood – from physical products to digital tools for forestry and production. The focus is on circular economy, green technologies, and high-value wood products that support a climate-neutral future.
Hosted at TSENTER – the wood and furniture competence centre in Väimela – the hackathon gives access to professional workshops, machines and on-site experts so that teams can design, build, and test functional prototypes on the spot.
Why is it important?
Wood and wood-based industries have long been essential in Estonia, but many young people see the field as outdated or uncertain. Garage48 and TSENTER, along with Ida-Virumaa Kutsehariduskeskus and Valgamaa Kutseõppekeskus, are looking to change that narrative. The wood-based industry has significant potential for innovation, but building a strong foundation for its future requires skilled, entrepreneurial people.
Garage48 Future of Wood brings together young talents and experts from areas like design, IT, production, business, forestry and architecture to learn from each other, get inspired and build practical solutions for a more sustainable and future-proof wood industry.
Participants gain:
- real experience in product and service development,
- teamwork and pitching skills,
- mentoring from industry, design, IT and business experts,
- a chance to continue in a follow-up program to develop the best prototypes further.
Focus topics:
- smart ways to use low-value wood, residues, and by-products
- circular and low-waste solutions in wood and furniture production;
- climate-smart forestry and wood processing;
- innovative wood-based products for living, working and public spaces;
- digital tools and data-driven solutions for everything wood-related
Ideas can be both physical and digital – from new furniture concepts, modular house designs, and outdoor installations to software and data tools that support planning, monitoring, logistics, or maintenance.
Options for joining:
- Come with your own idea and team (3-5 people in a team)
- Come with your own idea, pitch it to other participants, and find teammates on-site
- Come without an idea, listen to other participants’ pitches, and join a team that inspires you
- Join a team that is solving one of the challenges proposed by our partners (more information below)
