An Ideathon is a collaborative event where participants brainstorm and develop innovative ideas and solutions within a set time frame. It focuses on idea generation and concept development, often culminating in pitches to judges or an audience.
The "2025 Hong Kong Web3 Ideathon: Innovations Empowering the City" is an inaugural competition aimed at university students in Hong Kong. Teams are tasked with developing innovative proposals that leverage Web3 technology to address key societal issues in the city.
The competition is open to all full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled at accredited universities in Hong Kong. Participants must form teams of 2 to 4 members.
No, this competition is exclusively for full-time students from accredited universities in Hong Kong.
No, only full-time students are eligible to participate.
No, only current students may participate.
No, participants must form teams of 2 to 4 members to participate.
Yes, teams may consist of members from different universities and academic disciplines.
No, there is no registration fee.
Before registering on this link, your team should select a team leader and choose a team name. You will also need to read and agree to the Official Rules and the HKUST Privacy Policy. Once registered, you will receive a link for submitting your proposal.
Proposals must be submitted by January 10, 2025.
Teams can choose to focus on one of the following topics:
- Web3 for Financial Inclusion and Empowerment
- Web3 for Community and Social Impact
- Web3 for Sustainable Development
All teams will compete collectively across all tracks. This structure encourages diverse perspectives and broadens the scope of innovation within the Ideathon.
Proposals and presentations for the Ideathon must be in English. Each submission must include the following components:
- A Summary Document not exceeding 500 words
- A Presentation Deck limited to 15 slides
- A Pitch Video lasting no more than 5 minutes
Teams may also choose to develop and present a Web3 prototype as part of their proposal if it aligns with their plan.
Presentation Deck Structure
Click here for the template. Your presentation deck should ideally cover the following key areas, although you may adjust the content, sequence, format, and style as appropriate:
- Proposal Overview
- Problem Statement
Clearly define the issue you aim to address. - Proposed Solution
Outline your Web3 solution and its unique features. - Target Audience
Identify who will benefit from your project. - Market Needs
Explain how your project meets the demands of the market. - Innovative Technology
Highlight what makes your technology cutting-edge. - Social and Community Impact
Discuss the potential benefits for the community. Feel free to include visuals, such as images or flow diagrams, to illustrate your ideas. - Competitive Analysis
Analyze existing solutions and how yours stands out. - Implementation Plan
Provide a roadmap for how you will execute your project. - Technical Details
Include any relevant technical specifications. - Impact Assessment
Consider the anticipated outcomes and benefits of your project. - Team Expertise
Highlight the skills and experience of your team members. - Business Model (if applicable)
Provide a brief overview of your business model. - Conclusion
Summarize the key points and the significance of your proposal.
Make sure to present your ideas effectively, and feel free to include any additional information that you consider important for your submission.
Yes, we will host a half-day workshop on December 1, 2024 at Cyberport, focusing on Web3 technologies and proposal development. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, and participation in this workshop is optional.
To secure your spot in the workshop, please register on this link by November 26, 2024.
You are not alone in this. Click here to visit our matching platform, where you can connect with others seeking teammates. Be proactive and reach out to your network; you might discover someone eager to join you.
We've put together a collection of Web3 resources to help you get started. You can find them here. Remember, Web3 is always evolving, and no one has all the answers—so stay curious and keep learning!
A panel of judges will review all submissions and shortlist 8 teams based on established criteria.
Finalists will be announced on February 10, 2025.
The Pitch Fest is the final round where shortlisted teams present their proposals to a panel of judges and an audience, with the opportunity to win prizes.
The Pitch Fest is scheduled for early to mid-March 2025 and will be held at the HKUST Business School Central, located in the Hong Kong Club Building.
Prizes include cash reward: a first prize of HK$30,000, a second prize of HK $20,000, and a third prize of HK $10,000, along with two honourable mentions of HK$5,000 each. Additionally, the top two winning teams will receive fast track to the interview stage for the Cyberport Creative Micro Fund or the Cyberport Incubation Programme, subject to meeting the respective application requirements. For more details about the Cyberport entrepreneurship programmes, please visit: https://cyberport.hk/en/about_cyberport/cyberport_entrepreneurs.
For additional inquiries, please email web3ideathon@ust.hk.