India and Australia in a joint hackathon are organizing ‘India–Australia Circular Economy Hackathon (I-ACE)’- a two-day hackathon on the circular economy which will be held on the 7th and 8th of December 2020. The hackathon will be organised by AIM (Atal Innovation Mission), in association with Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). Indian and Australian Premiers discussed the idea of I-ACE during a virtual summit on 4 June, for exploring innovative ways to boost the circular economy in India and Australia.
The two-day hackathon which is open to students, startups, and MSMEs of both the countries will answer how circular economy can create possible solutions for eliminating waste and also reusing waste, informed Atal Innovation Mission Director, and NITI Aayog Additional Secretary Ramanan Ramanathan while digitally launching the hackathon.
I-ACE will focus on the identification and development of innovative technology solutions by students, startups, and MSMEs from the two countries. The four key themes for the hackathon are Innovation in food supply chains avoiding waste, Innovation in packaging reducing packaging waste, Recycling critical energy metals and e-waste, and Creating opportunities for plastic waste reduction.
Dr. Rajiv Kumar, NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman said that this is a very important initiative to make the economy less resource-intensive and to ensure the economic growth is ecologically compatible. In the long run, a circular economy model will provide more jobs and higher economic growth. The circular economy model can drive innovation results in cost reduction and will bring significant benefits to our environment added Dr. Heinz Schandl, at CSIRO Senior Science Leader of Land and Water.
At an award ceremony on 11th December 2020, two winners from India and Australia, per theme in students and startup/ MSME categories respectively will be announced. The winning Indian student and startup/ MSME teams will be bestowed a prize of Rs 2 lakh and Rs 5 lakh, respectively, coupled with post-hackathon product development opportunities and the winning Australian student will be awarded a prize of AUD$3500, Australian SMEs/startup team a prize of AUD$9500.
Selected students and startups/ MSMEs will be able to participate in the hackathon. You can apply till 6th of November 2020 for taking part in the hackathon. Interested students/ startups/ MSMEs can apply at http://aimapp2.aim.gov.in/iace