From Amsterdam to Milan: The International Growth of the Cleaning Hackathon and FacilityApps’ Continued Involvement
FacilityApps Sponsors Innovative AI Hackathon at ISSA Pulire 2025 in Milan
FacilityApps is once again taking a major step in promoting technological innovation in the cleaning industry. As a sponsor of the hackathon during the ISSA Pulire trade fair in Milan, taking place from May 27 to 29, 2025, the company emphasizes its commitment to innovation in the facility services sector. The hackathon itself is scheduled for Wednesday, May 28, and promises to be a vibrant day full of creative technological solutions centered around AI.
A Dutch Initiative with International Impact
What started as a Dutch initiative has now grown into an international event. Dirk Tuip, CEO of FacilityApps, conceived the idea of this hackathon three years ago and organized the first edition in Amsterdam. “The idea caught on, and two years ago, the first Italian edition took place.”
“When we organized the hackathon in Amsterdam, we could never have predicted how quickly this concept would take off in the international cleaning world,” says Dirk Tuip. “It’s amazing to see young tech talents now coming together from around the world to work on practical solutions for the cleaning industry.”
Facility Data Standard Takes Over
The concept of the hackathon has since been transferred to Facility Data Standard, an organization in which Dirk Tuip also serves as a board member. This handover aligns with FacilityApps’ vision to encourage industry-wide innovation without a single company having full control. Facility Data Standard is working on standardizing data exchange within the facility services sector. The combination of this standardization with the fresh ideas from the hackathon provides a powerful boost for the entire industry.
Attracting Young Talent to the Cleaning Industry
One of the main goals of the hackathon remains unchanged: to inspire young, technically skilled individuals to join the cleaning sector. The industry has faced labor shortages and an aging workforce for years. By showing that there is ample room for technological innovation in this field, the hope is to attract new talent. “The cleaning industry is still too often seen as a sector where little technology is involved,” Tuip explains. “Nothing could be further from the truth. With IoT sensors, robots, data analysis, and advanced apps, the field is evolving rapidly. This hackathon shows students and young professionals the challenging technical issues at play here.”
A Look at the AI Hackathon in Milan
Participants in the Milan hackathon will have one day to work in teams on innovative solutions. This year, the hackathon is centered on AI (artificial intelligence), aligning with the rapid developments in this field. The hackathon challenges students to come up with creative solutions to improve efficiency, sustainability, and customer satisfaction in the cleaning industry. They will be supported by mentors from the sector, including Jill Frey, Manfred Zielbauer, Dirk Tuip, and Daniel Messer. At the end, they will present their ideas to a professional jury, with chances to win various prizes.
FacilityApps: Bridging Technology and Practice
For FacilityApps, sponsoring this hackathon is a logical step. The company has been developing innovative mobile solutions for the cleaning and facility management industry for years. By participating in this event, FacilityApps not only stays up to date with the latest developments but also actively contributes to the future of the cleaning sector.
Visitors to the ISSA Pulire trade fair are warmly invited to attend the hackathon and see how technology and cleaning come together in innovative concepts. It promises to be an inspiring day that demonstrates the technologically promising future of the cleaning industry.
