Rhode Island BlueGreen Innovation Challenge

SeaAhead, National Grid, and the Cambridge Innovation Center established the BlueGreen Innovation Challenge for college students in Rhode Island. This competition supports the students’ development of novel approaches for new, system-level innovations that address the Challenge’s key themes: food-energy nexus, ‘smart’ ports, urban mobility and electrification, and renewable energy.

Eight finalists will receive mentorship, and the teams will contend for a cash prize while they pitch their final proposals for projects that are either key startup concepts or could be implemented through the support of public-private partnerships. Rhode Island’s ambitious climate and clean energy goals make this the opportune time for our next generation of leaders to think big.

This partnership supports the BlueGreen Innovation Challenge’s key goals:

Increase the availability of clean, sustainable energy in Rhode Island
Enhance sustainability of the Ocean State’s seafood system, from boat/farm-to-plate
Promote the circular economy
Improve community resilience: economic empowerment, health, and food security
Inspire the next generation to focus on solving problems that really matter

TIMELINE

Challenge kickoff, October 26, 2020
Deadline, January 12, 2020
Winners announced at Final Pitch Event, June 2021

PRIZE MONEY

1st Place Prize: $10,000
2nd Place Prize: $5,000
3rd Place Prize: $1,500

BACKGROUND

The contest is open to young adults who attend an institution of higher education in Rhode Island, southern/central Massachusetts, and Connecticut, or are living in Rhode Island while studying at an out-of-state institution. This includes four-year universities, community colleges, and technical schools. Recent graduates are also welcome to apply.

Competitors are encouraged to form inter-school teams of up to four members. Team members from outside of Rhode Island are allowed as long as at least half the team meets the above Rhode Island criteria.