IOT Data Hackathon 2026

The IOT Data Hackathon 2026 is organised by GS1 Hong Kong in collaboration with Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited and The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation

Building on the resounding success of our previous editions, the IOT Data Hackathon 2026 once again invites the brightest minds — from tertiary students, innovators, problem-solvers, data enthusiasts to seasoned professionals and entrepreneurs — to come together. Our mission is to empower you to harness the power of real-world data to develop tangible solutions.

 

Objective

• Address genuine industry and societal needs through the use of IoT data & technology tools
• Cultivate a vibrant community of innovators, foster collaboration and knowledge sharing
• Drive Innovation, and recognise outstanding achievements
• Connect businesses with talents and entrepreneurs

 

Challenge Themes

Demonstrate the use of IoT data, open data & alternative data to tackle business challenges in one of the below themes

Technology & Business Innovation
Build solutions that will define the next era of commercial innovation and efficiency, such as:
  - Low-altitude Economy
  - AI-powered Marketing/Operations
  - Customer Experience
  - Supply Chain Optimisation 

Social Impact & Sustainability
Develop data-driven solutions that tackle critical societal and environmental issues, such as:
  - The Silver Economy
  - Health & Wellness
  - ESG
  - Public Good and Safety

 

Why join

• Learn data and problem-solving skills by working on real world challenges
• Enhance Experience: Harness mentorship and valuable feedback from industry and technology experts
• Get Connected: Network and meet industry thought leaders & tech experts to expand your network
• Gain Exposure & Win Recognition
• Showcase your expertise, build your professional profile, and win prizes
• Foster Career Development
• Fast track to incubation/internship programs, explore opportunities for future career advancement

 

Streams

• Student Stream: Students from Hong Kong Tertiary Institutions (campus inside and/or outside Hong Kong
• Professional Stream: Startups, Entrepreneurs or Business Professionals in Hong Kong 

Remarks: 

• Each team can be formed up to 6 teammates.
• Each participant can only join one team
• At least 1 teammate is expected to show up at designated venue physically to present their proposal for the hackathon final.
• To avoid conflicts of interest, applications from sponsors' companies will not be accepted.
• For Student Stream, participants need to be students of tertiary institutions in HK
• For Professional Stream, teams must include at least one HK resident, or one member employed by a HK registered company

 

Judging Criteria

 

PROFESSIONAL STREAM

STUDENT STREAM

DescriptionWeightDescriptionInnovation & Creativity
• Idea originality and innovativeness
• Creative problem-solving approach
• New operational model for business25%Innovation & Creativity
• Idea originality and innovativeness
• Creative problem-solving approach
• New operational model for businessBenefits & Impact
• Benefits to users
• Impact on industry, sector, society, community, and/or public
• Consideration of ESG factors in measuring sustainability & social impact25%Benefits & Impact
• Benefits to users
• Impact on industry, sector, society, community, and/or public
• Consideration of ESG factors in measuring sustainability & social impactBusiness Viability & Feasibility
• Ability to address user requirements
• Business and market potential
• Ease of implementation
• Scalability20%Business Viability & Feasibility
• Ability to address user requirements
• Business and market potential
• Ease of implementation
• ScalabilityUse of Data
• Appropriate use of data sets
• Data security and governance20%20%Quality
• Completeness and ability to execute the solution
• Presentation quality10%10%

 

Prizes

Champion Team- HK$5,000 + 
- Fast Track to Cyberport Creative Micro Fund (HK$100,000 grant for Student Stream) or Fast Track to Cyberport Incubation Programme (up to HK$500,000 resources for Professional Stream)First Runner Up TeamHK$3,000Second Runner Up TeamHK$2,000Best ESG Achievement Award HK$2,000Best Use of AI AwardHK$2,000All winnersFast Track to HKSTP Ideation Programme (up to HK$100,000 grant)Student Stream winnersInternship opportunities

 

Timeline

Application Deadline20 Dec 2025Kick-off BriefingJan 2026Pre-hackathon WorkshopsJan - Feb 2026Initial Submission15 Feb 2026Announcement of Short-listed TeamsEarly Mar 2026Tech Workshop & MentorshipMar 2026Hackathon
• Hackathon Day
• Final Pitch Day 
28 Mar 2026
29 Mar 2026Award CeremonyApr 2026

 

Registration link

Student stream: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdAlo24Byzm1lbxO5Kwp2sn66t4-pPxltRjHqSbiuCxVI77dw/viewform

Professional stream: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdtc1FqP-92H2a_PUh62ayLx2hpcrVZdG6ADTbfl_c65Q_F3Q/viewform

 

More details

https://www.gs1hk.org/iotdatahackathon/2026?utm_source=enewsletter&utm_medium=edm&utm_campaign=2nd_GS1_Hackathon_2026_EN