Coffee With Developers Michael Koitz

What if your hackathon project didn't just win a prize, but was actually built and shipped? REWE Group explains how they make it happen.

#1about 2 minutes

Defining the first retail hackathon in Austria

The hackathon focuses on solving real-world retail problems, like in-store navigation, using technologies such as AI, machine learning, and augmented reality.

#2about 4 minutes

Understanding the hackathon's open tech stack and rules

Participants have an open choice of technology with provided Google Cloud workspaces, and AI code assistants like Gemini and Copilot are permitted.

#3about 2 minutes

Exploring the two-day agenda and diverse team composition

The event features challenge pitches from different business units, one and a half days of coding, and encourages collaboration between internal and external developers in mixed teams.

#4about 2 minutes

Managing data security and diverse retail challenges

Participants work with provided test data in a secure, isolated environment and tackle diverse challenges from logistics, e-commerce, and in-store operations.

#5about 2 minutes

Comparing logistics of online versus physical retail

The core difference between an online giant like Amazon and a traditional retailer is the logistics model, focusing on store replenishment rather than direct-to-consumer warehouse fulfillment.

#6about 4 minutes

Inside the hybrid work model and developer platform

REWE operates on a hybrid work model and supports its developers with a centralized platform that automates infrastructure provisioning and provides project blueprints.

#7about 1 minute

Turning hackathon prototypes into real-world products

Beyond networking, the hackathon's primary goal is to foster innovation, with the winning team getting the opportunity to develop their prototype further in dedicated sprints.

#8about 3 minutes

Hiring philosophy and the modern European workplace

The company is actively hiring and contrasts the European "people first" work culture, which prioritizes stability and retention, with the more volatile US tech environment.

#9about 2 minutes