The Mahikeng Digital Innovation Hub (MDIHUB) has placed the North West province on the global innovation map after two of its teams were nominated at the NASA International Space Apps Challenge 2025.
The teams — Odyssey Innovators and ASNOT — were selected from more than 11 500 global submissions, a remarkable achievement that highlights the province’s growing digital and scientific prowess.
MDIHUB hailed the nominations as a “significant milestone” for the local tech ecosystem.
“Being Global Nominees in the world’s largest annual hackathon showcases the power of community-driven innovation and the growing role of MDIHUB in nurturing world-class digital talent and entrepreneurship in the North West,” the hub said.
Centre Manager Rebaone Mokwanatle said hosting the provincial leg of the competition allowed the hub to mentor and support participants, helping local innovators realise their potential.
The NASA Space Apps Challenge invites innovators worldwide to use NASA’s open data to solve real-world challenges in areas such as agriculture, software development, exploration, and astrophysics.
This year’s hackathon attracted over 114 000 participants from 167 countries, supported by 14 space agency partners and hosted across 551 local events globally.
Some team members hail from North West University, and both groups are now eagerly awaiting NASA’s announcement of the global finalists and honourable mentions, expected in the coming weeks.
MDIHUB says the recognition has reignited its drive to cultivate innovation and empower youth in the province.
