Aggie Climate action for Equity (ACE) and the Student Startup Center (SSC) Host Second Climate Solutions Contest
On Thursday, November 21st the Student Startup Center and ACE facilitated the second of three Climate Solution Contests where student teams pitched their ideas for mitigating, adapting to, and creating resilience to climate change. Students were asked to put together a two-minute pitch to market their idea and deliver to a panel of four expert judges. In total, 8 teams were chosen to pitch their idea. Students competed for a $1,000 grand prize for best overall pitch, and three $500 subawards.
Idea competitions are a way for ACE, in collaboration with internal and external partners, to enhance workforce development through student, researcher, and community engagement. The focus on ideation aims to deliver quality project ideas, while generating sincere stakeholder engagement around climate change innovations that have the potential to positively impact California’s most vulnerable communities. They’re also a way to funnel quality teams/strategies into Climate Action STAIR grants & entrepreneurship trainings for further development and movement towards proof-of-concept.
Most of the contest’s teams were comprised of students enrolled in a new course implemented this fall by ACE, in partnership with the Department of Computer Science and SSC called Hacking for Climate. The course offers students the opportunity to collaborate with sustainability and industry professionals to address California’s most pressing climate challenges. Grounded in Lean Startup Theory, the course empowers students to clearly define problem areas, engage directly with stakeholders, identify pain points or opportunities, and develop prototype solutions that align with users’ needs. Students tackle specific environmental challenges such as energy transitions, agricultural systems, or invasive species.
Check out the article UC Davis Students Use Startup Strategies to Innovate Climate Solutions in New Course | College of Engineering to learn more about the Hacking for Climate approach, entrepreneurs involved, and highlights on student impact.