Open Call: Hitachi Innovation Challenge for Green Digital

Deadline: 26 November 2024

Hitachi has launched the Innovation Challenge for Green Digital to ensure that the planet we pass on to the next generation will be a better place than the one they found! If your company has a business solution to help tackle the problem below, they would like to hear from you. No matter where you are from, join this contest for the chance to develop a business partnership with Hitachi, a global group!

Themes

The following themes are to be tackled:
- Energy optimization and energy management in Data Centers
  - Example Ideas
    - Energy monitoring
    - Energy Management Software
    - Flexible cooling and power solutions
    - Renewable Integration
    - IT Infrastructure Energy Management
  - Theme Background
    - Advanced software solutions are used to monitor, control, and optimize energy consumption. These tools provide insights into energy usage patterns, help in predictive maintenance, and enable dynamic adjustments to improve efficiency. Also, incorporating renewable energy sources helps lower the carbon footprint of the data center. Then, that may involve smart grid technologies that allow for better integration with renewable energy sources and more efficient energy use.
- Digital Battery Circulation with data utilization
  - Example Ideas
    - Energy monitoring
    - Energy Management Software
    - Flexible cooling and power solutions
    - Renewable Integration
    - IT Infrastructure Energy Management
  - Theme Background
    - Advanced software solutions are used to monitor, control, and optimize energy consumption. These tools provide insights into energy usage patterns, help in predictive maintenance, and enable dynamic adjustments to improve efficiency. Also, incorporating renewable energy sources helps lower the carbon footprint of the data center. Then, that may involve smart grid technologies that allow for better integration with renewable energy sources and more efficient energy use.
- Enhancing manufacturing and energy efficiency in energy asset production
  - Example Ideas
    - Energy monitoring
    - Energy Management Software
    - Flexible cooling and power solutions
    - Renewable Integration
    - IT Infrastructure Energy Management
  - Theme Background
    - Advanced software solutions are used to monitor, control, and optimize energy consumption. These tools provide insights into energy usage patterns, help in predictive maintenance, and enable dynamic adjustments to improve efficiency. Also, incorporating renewable energy sources helps lower the carbon footprint of the data center. Then, that may involve smart grid technologies that allow for better integration with renewable energy sources and more efficient energy use.
- Railway Operation Efficiency with Digital Tool/Data collection
  - Example Ideas
    - Using digital monitoring technology to enhance operational efficiency and safety
    - Data/image analytics using thermal, sound, and other sensor systems
  - Theme Background
    - This concept aims to improve railway operations by utilizing digital tools and data analysis to enhance railway operation safety, reliability, and security. It involves the continuous real-time monitoring of train conditions, track conditions, and environmental factors using multiple sensors data and digital tools. These solutions are essential for their business as they strive for electrification and aim for Net Zero.

Benefits

The following opportunities await the startups which make it to the Final:
- Pitch to Hitachi top executives during the Final Event
- Possibility for collaboration with Hitachi incubation representatives
- Connection to related business units in Hitachi
- Possibility to discuss Proof of Concepts

Eligibility Criteria

This challenge is open to startups across the world
If your startup has a business solution to help tackle the themes, they would like to hear from you.

Selection Criteria

The projects will be assessed following the criteria below:
- Value of the addressed issues:
  - Is there a real need in the market to address this issue? How many people are impacted by it?
- Potential to create a strong customer base:
  - How big is the market you are targeting? Who (companies/individuals) make up the target segment?
- Innovativeness of the technology and business model:
  - How innovative is the technology used and the business model? How are they different from others?
- Feasibility:
  - How feasible is the solution to put into practice? Does the solution make sense financially? Will the solution be sustainable over the long term?
- Impact:
  - What is the scale of potential social impact? How broad is the impact? How many people will your solution reach? How significant is the impact?
- Synergy with Hitachi (Mentoring phase only):
  - To what extent is your solution in line with Hitachi’s values of social innovation?