Dear Laidlaw community,

I am thrilled to introduce the inaugural edition of the EPFL Sustainable Innovation Challenge (SIC), scheduled for 13-14 March 2025 in Lausanne, Switzerland.

This annual event combines a dynamic student challenge with a vibrant industry-academic forum, offering participants a unique platform to present their sustainability projects, gain valuable feedback, and build connections with leaders from academia, industry, and local authorities. 

Event Overview and Objectives
The event aims to:

• Showcase Projects and Promote Innovation: Provide a high-visibility platform for student projects addressing climate and environmental challenges, presenting a broad range of technologies and perspectives through pitches and demonstrations of their solutions.
• Facilitate Industry-Academic Exchanges and Collaborations for Students: Foster cross-disciplinary learning and connections among students, researchers, and professionals. Enable networking among students, professionals, and organisations committed to sustainability, thus enhancing access to internships, jobs, and collaborative opportunities.
• Learn and Advance the Sustainability Agenda: Hear from leading experts in the field of sustainability about the latest advancements and challenges, while emphasising the need for immediate action on sustainability by aligning projects with the latest IPCC findings.

Student Challenge

• Evaluation: A panel of esteemed judges, comprising leading figures from academia and industry, will evaluate the teams' pitches and projects.
• Prize Funding: CHF 30,000 will be divided among the winners.
• Mentorship: Teams will benefit from mentorship sessions, focusing on refining both scientific and practical aspects.
• Networking: Gain visibility and connect with potential collaborators and employers from industry and academia. Participants may also access exclusive internships and job opportunities.
• Travel and Accommodation: Selected teams will receive travel and accommodation support
• Team Eligibility: Teams must consist of at least 65% students (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD candidates).

Forum and Networking Opportunities

The SIC will also hosts an extensive forum featuring:

• Scientific and Industry Stands: Student teams, companies, and research laboratories will showcase their latest work, facilitating exchanges and potential collaborations.
• Workshops and Demonstrations: Attendees will participate in hands-on workshops, live prototype demonstrations, and networking activities.
• Talks by Leading Experts: Renowned sustainability experts will present critical challenges, new technologies, and recent achievements, creating a dynamic and educational experience.

Register your team now through this form and secure your spot alongside 20 other teams from all across Europe! Deadline: December 31, 2024.

If you are interested in participating in a panel discussion or joining as part of the audience, please contact us at sic@epfl.ch.

Follow us on social media: Instagram, LinkedIn, and our website!

We are incredibly excited about this opportunity to bring together innovation, collaboration, and action in the field of sustainability. We look forward to seeing you at SIC 2025!

All the best,
Cyril | SIC Vice President