The hackathon is open to students, professionals, or a combination of both.

Participants must develop a methodology to tackle the challenge statement that must be demonstrated totally or partially by an AI application, by using geospatial tools or data, through dashboards or other data science applications or by providing case studies.

Up to ten submissions will be selected to pitch in person or virtually at New York Climate Week 2025. No costs will be covered to participants.

The winners will be selected at New York Climate Week and will receive support to develop their solution.

Submissions should have the following components:

Presentation: Create a comprehensive presentation that explains your solution in detail. This should cover the key features, benefits and challenges of your methodology.

Demonstration: Use the methodology to analyze one or more cities for demonstration as case studies, apply the methodology or a fragment of it on an AI tool or any other technology you are familiar with.

Our jury of experts will be assessing submissions based on four key areas: innovation, impact, feasibility, and presentation.

1. Innovation. Originality and creativity of the solution

• Participants should aim to develop unique and innovative solutions that showcase creative thinking.
• Solutions should introduce new ideas or approaches that have not been widely implemented.
• Consideration will be given to how the solution differentiates itself from existing tools or methods.

2. Impact. Potential to positively impact cities’ climate action efforts

• Solutions should demonstrate a clear and significant potential to enhance climate action in cities.
• The impact could be measured in terms of the hackathon asks tackled by the solution.
• Solutions should address specific challenges faced by cities and provide tangible benefits to communities.

3. Feasibility. Practicality and scalability of the solution

• Solutions must be practical and implementable within real-world urban settings.
• Consideration will be given to the resources required for implementation, including technology, funding, and manpower.
• Scalability is crucial; solutions should have the potential to be adapted and applied to multiple cities or regions.

4. Presentation. Clarity and effectiveness of the project presentation

• Participants must clearly articulate their solution, including its purpose, functionality, and benefits.
• Presentations should be well-organized, engaging, and visually appealing.
• The effectiveness of communication will be evaluated, including the ability to convey complex ideas in an understandable manner.

PARTICIPATION

🏅 Certificate of Participation for participants that meet all the submission guidelines.

MAIN PRIZE

📢 Opportunity for up to 10 finalists per theme to pitch their solutions during New York Climate Week 2025.

💰 USD $15,000 in seed funding for the winning team from each theme to further develop and pilot their solutions.

🤝 If the proposed solution of the winners would benefit from working closely with a city, we commit to identifying a city to be paired with to explore implementation on the ground, delivered with the Urban Transitions Mission.

SPECIAL PRIZES

Hack for Earth Special Prize

🚀 Access to a digital edition of the Build for Earth acceleration program, Hack for Earth’s tailored support program for early-stage climate innovators for the two winning teams. This will provide selected teams with continued mentorship, community exposure, and a pathway from concept to implementation.

climaTRACES Lab, University of Cambridge Special Prize

💡 A curated selection of up to 10 projects will be invited to present in-person or virtually at a deep dive workshop at the University of Cambridge. The workshop will provide an opportunity for knowledge transfer and review of current evidence supporting their solution, and the opportunity to network in the Cambridge ecosystem.
🏅 A certificate of appreciation will be given by the Cambridge climaTRACES Lab to the 10 selected project teams.

Tech To The Rescue AI for Climate Innovation Prize

🎯 All finalists that fit the eligibility criteria below will have the opportunity to be matched with impact-driven tech companies providing pro bono support, enabling them to transform promising AI concepts into implementation-ready solutions.

Eligibility Criteria: The Tech To The Rescue Special Prize may be awarded to up to 10 finalists of the Hackathon  program who meet the following criteria:

• Be a mission-driven organisation, such as a nonprofit, social enterprise, research lab, academic institution, or equivalent, with a clearly defined social or public benefit purpose.
• Be developing AI-enabled solutions or solutions with a strong focus on AI and digital technologies that are relevant to cities and/or climate.
• Tech To The Rescue reserves the right to make exceptions to these criteria, in agreement with GCoM, for adjacent types of organisations, such as municipalities or government stakeholders.