In commemoration of the Earth Day that was celebrated on April 22, the Commonwealth Secretariat and Satellite Applications Catapult are launching the first-ever Hack the Planet competition.
Individuals and startups with innovative, impactful, and scalable ideas that can address global issues of ocean degradation and the climate crisis are invited to apply for the Hack the Planet Competition 2021.
About the competition
Hack the Planet competition aims to resolve some of the world’s most pressing ocean-related concerns, such as eliminating plastic pollution, accelerating sustainable energy uptake, climate change, developing sustainable ‘blue’ approaches for the ocean economy, and protecting nature in marine areas.
The theme of the Hack the Planet competition is closely attuned with the United Nations SDGs 14 (ocean), 13 (climate), and 7 (energy). The five-month-long virtual competition will support cutting-edge home-grown solutions from across 54 Commonwealth countries.
30 selected teams will be invited to participate in a knowledge exchange program where they will learn about satellite technologies and elements of design thinking that could support their ideas, and hone these into robust, compelling pitches.
Specific issues that would be tackled covered by the Commonwealth Blue Charter include the following:
- Marine plastic pollution
- Coral reef protection and restoration
- Mangrove ecosystems and livelihoods
- Marine protected areas
- Ocean acidification
- Ocean and climate change
- Ocean observations
- Sustainable aquaculture
- Sustainable coastal fisheries.
Benefits of participation
Participants in Hack the Planet 2021 can look forward to:
- A shot at winning a cash prize of £10,000 to help turn their idea into a real-life project.
- Coaching from experts to help support them throughout the competition.
- A chance to pitch before a panel of satellite and ocean experts.
- Opportunity to network with peers, mentors, and experts.
- Worldwide recognition for their idea.
Eligibility
- You must be a citizen of any of the 54 Commonwealth nations.
- Your ideas must solve the challenges of our ocean with concepts that include the power of imagery, connectivity, or other applications from satellites.
- Your ideas should relate to one of the 10 challenges set out in the Commonwealth Blue Charter.
How to apply
- Complete the registration form by clicking the ‘register’ button on the top right-hand side of this site
- Once registered, you will be logged in and you can click the ‘enter’ button to complete the entry form
- You can revisit your account to view and update your entry at any time until the closing date
Note that you will be required to talk about your idea; how it can solve the global ocean challenges; how information or communication from satellites can support the idea; and what you will do if you win the competition. You will also have a chance to upload a short video explaining your idea.
Click here to apply.
Deadline
Applications close on Monday, May 31, 2021.
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