Introduction

India Australia Circular Economy Hackathon (I-ACE) is jointly being organized by Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, Government of India and Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia to enable the students and startups/MSMEs of both the nations in fostering innovative solutions for the development of a circular economy across the food system value chain with the aim of increasing the long-term health and resilience of our planet, through innovative technology solutions. I-ACE aims to accelerate the development of young and promising students and startups/MSMEs working towards the creation of a sustainable future.

Themes:

1. Innovation in packaging reducing packaging waste
2. Innovation in food supply chains avoiding waste
3. Creating opportunities for plastics waste reduction
4. Recycling critical energy metals and e-waste

 

Eligibility Criteria:

Each team can consist of minimum 2 members to maximum 5 members compulsorily from the same entity/institute as mentioned in the application form. The following entities are eligible to apply for India Australia Circular Economy Hackathon (I-ACE):

1. Students currently pursuing Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate course from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) of India
2. Entity recognized as Startup under Startup India scheme by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)
3. Entities recognized as Micro Small and Medium Enterprises having Udyam Registration number by Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises.

Please note: All the team members need to be from the same university/institute/startup/MSME as of team leader.

Final Hackathon

The India Australia Circular Economy Hackathon (I-ACE) finals run across 3 days from 9th February 2021 to 11th February 2021 in a virtual mode. The Hackathon event comprised of 3 key elements –

• Masterclass Sessions
• Mentoring Sessions
• Evaluation Sessions

The 5 masterclass sessions were conducted by an illustrious panel comprising subject matter experts on Circular Economy from both India and Australia. Each session was a joint session taken by an Indian and an Australia speaker and attended by both Indian and Australian audience. Each session focused on key theme areas and were beneficial in terms of gaining insights into various facets of the circular economy.

Mentoring sessions organized for all finalists presided over by subject matter / business experts assisting the finalists in crystalizing their presentation / pitch and resolving queries on technical and business areas. 13 mentors assigned to 39 Indian teams and like-wise for Australia.

The finalists presented their solutions / proposals on all 3 days of the Hackathon Evaluations to the panel of judges from India (on first two days) and both India and Australia (on last day) addressing the below points

• Understanding of the Problem Statement - WHAT are you trying to solve
• Solution / Innovation - HOW are you trying to solve
• Target Market / Segment - for WHOM are you trying to solve
• Impact - economic / environmental / social
• Budget / Commercials - WHAT would it take to solve
• Plans and Projections - 3-year / 5-year plan to scale up
• Government Support Required
• Team members experience/qualifications

After 3 days of intense competition, 4 student team and 4 start-up team from each of the 4 themes were selected as winners from India and likewise from Australia.

Click here for winners list

 

Contact Us

In case of any query
Indian applicants may write to us at india.ace@gov.in
Australian applicants may write to us at i-ace@csiro.au