Eco-hackathon

Eco-hackathon

RMIT University has partnered up with Xylem Capital and Helvetas Vietnam to deliver an innovation competition at the RMIT Saigon South campus, taking place from May 13th - 16th with final pitches on the 21st.

The challenge statement is designed to get participants ideating the next exciting applications of ideas based around regenerative agriculture and climate change:

“How might we create the next groundbreaking company while tackling climate change through regenerative agriculture?”

The challenge is being run by RMIT Activator, RMIT University’s growth engine for innovation and entrepreneurship. Since 2017, RMIT Activator has been unlocking entrepreneurial potential across founders, innovators, educators and student talent.

The main sponsor, Xylem Capital, is a venture capital firm that prioritises long-term environmental change. Xylem looks to identify aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs who will lead the way in eco-tech, empowering them with the expertise and financial tools they need to scale towards maximum social, environmental and financial sustainability.

The Hacktivator model is designed to foster a healthy competition, where real-time industry connections and challenges are present for advice and guidance throughout the experience. Hacktivator is pathway where industry partners can explore big ideas in a simulated ideation environment and spark a lifelong entrepreneurial journey in students.

Why do we run Hacktivator challenges like the Xylem Eco-hackathon?

This competition introduces students to innovation frameworks and concepts, alongside a ground-up approach to accelerate circular innovation and sustainability as early as possible in their university journey.
Committed continuous support from our industry partners, like Xylem and Helvetas is provided post-event to bring winning solution proposals to life
Exposure for partner organisations to truly foster and encourage innovation first, including opportunities to pilot new ideas making you a powerful agent of change

The Eco-Hackathon theme combines a cause with repercussions around the world, climate change, with an emerging solution – regenerative agriculture. Regenerative agriculture is the idea of farming practices that reduce Co2 in the atmosphere, secure future food supply and restore the health of the planet through healthier plants and animals.

The exciting possibilities of regenerative agriculture are being explored in innovative farming communities and on individual farms. In particular, regenerative agriculture looks to replace industrial agriculture techniques like mono-cropping, overuse of harsh chemicals and deep tilling.

The Hacktivator challenge lets participants think freely about solutions grounded in these practices. Over three days, they’ll be guided through RMIT Activator’s proven challenge model, ending in a pitching competition in front of a panel of judges:

Jaquie o’Hara, Orlar Vietnam CEO
Kasia Wiena, Co-founder, Evergreen Labs
Matthew McGarvey, President, Xylem Capital
Henri de Riboul, Phitrust Asia CEO

Embedded in the course content are several guest appearances to elevate the messaging of the challenge, including an expert keynote from Bryan Pelz, founder of VNG, a Vietnam-based technology investment and development company, Matthew McGarvey of Xylem, Pham Phuong Thao, Managing Director of Organica, Yosuke Masuko, CEO of Pizza 4Ps and more.

Competition details

Day 0
Date: 13 May 2022
Time: 9am - 12pm
Location: RMIT University Saigon South campus

Day 1 & 2
Date: 14-15 May 2022
Time: 9am - 3pm
Location: RMIT University Saigon South campus

Final Pitch
Date: 21 May 2022
Time: 8:30 – 12:40pm
Location: RMIT University Saigon South campus

06 May 2022

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06 May 2022

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