“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.” (Charles Darwin)

We need to be more agile and adaptable to address the grand challenges! The need for transformative and collaborative innovation to drive the world towards net zero greenhouse gas emissions is more important than ever. But sustainability is a much broader concept than zero greenhouse emission. The UN has devised no less than 17 sustainable development goals, SDGs, to recognize the multiple dimensions of sustainability. Supporting sustainability is necessary for a positive impact on the global economy and to sustain lives worldwide.
Innovation is hereby meant to be one of the key elements for achieving the overall goal: To create a world we all want to live in! The KIT Sustainable Innovation Challenge seeks to motivate students to tackle problems with their ideas designed to create a more sustainable world for all.

We want you to design a future worth living in rather than mere thinking of strategy building on predictions of the future.

The KIT Sustainable Innovation Challenge is open for participation of student teams from the KIT. Get involved and design a meaningful idea towards the much-needed change for a better world.

What do we expect from you?

• Strong passion and investment in the SDGs (check the Good Life Goals)
• The motivation to engage pro-actively throughout the event and extensively ideate throughout the KIT Sustainable Innovation Challenge and work in an agile “hackathon-like” environment
• A genuine interest in re-imaging and contributing to advancing sustainable development in your community and beyond
• The ability and willingness to work in an interdisciplinary and diverse team. Teams can consist of a minimum of two to a maximum of three members.
• The commitment to take the idea to completion and remain engaged with the cause post the KIT Sustainable Innovation Challenge
• We strongly welcome diverse teams (in e.g., cultural, gender, study background, socio-economic aspects)

Submissions will be scored based on 3 criteria: Impact - “How does the idea support sustainable goals and values”, novelty - “Is the idea new and innovative” and feasibility - “Could the idea be implemented in the next 1 to 2 years”.

You don’t yet have a sparkling idea, nor are you sure about the impact of your idea? Join our pre-program, designed especially to overcome this challenge and give you a rousing start into our KIT Sustainable Innovation Challenge! Register now and apply for our Responsible Ideation Workshop on 14.06. from 9am until 1pm.

What will you receive?

• Practical experience in the field of interdisciplinary innovation
• Tailored support: ARRTI Workshop on Idea Generation, Value Conflicts, Responsibility and Sustainability, EnTechnon Innovation Workshop and customized ARRTI Mentorship
• Visibility: promotion of your innovation via KIT communication channels
• Networking: Access to the ARRTI, EnTechnon, ITAS, and Gründerschmiede Network
• Training: Ideation training, business modelling and pitch training in preparation
• Cash prize: Winning team receives an ARRTI Sponsorship[1] worth up to 3.000 € p.P.

BE INSPIRED & APPLY

• Apply with a high-level description of your proposed solution. (Registration below)
• Deepen your consciousness for opportunities and their impact - Participate in our opportunity recognition Responsible Ideation Workshop on June 14
• Get involved and further develop your idea
• Work on your startup idea

SAFE THE DATES

11.06., noon: Deadline Registration for Pre-Program “Responsible Ideation Workshop”

14.06., 9am – 1pm: Responsible Ideation Workshop

21.06., 23:59pm: Deadline for Submission of Idea

25.06., 9am – 1pm: Workshop Day 1

07.07., 9am – 1pm: Workshop Day 2

08.07., 10am – noon: Pitch Training

14.07., 23:59pm: Deadline for Submission of Video Pitch

20.07., 4pm – 6pm: Final Event together with upCAT Demo Day

For open questions please contact christin.eckerle∂kit.edu. 

[1] The sponsorship will only be provided via auxiliary employment (student assistant contract) by KIT and is intended to support the winning team in the further development of their innovative idea. Participation in the challenge does not oblige to accept the sponsorship.