Singapore Team Triumphs at Asian Hackathon for Green Future 2026, Outshining 439 Competitors from 22 Countries
HANOI, VIETNAM – Team Helios, composed of Pratham Ranjan and Alok Vernekar from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, has emerged victorious at the Asian Hackathon for Green Future 2026. This competition, which attracted nearly 1,500 participants from 22 countries and territories, aims to foster technology-driven solutions for sustainability. The event culminated on July 4 at VinUniversity in Hanoi, where Team Helios was awarded the First Prize of USD 8,000 for their innovative project.
Significance of the Hackathon
The Asian Hackathon for Green Future is a pioneering initiative organized by three not-for-profit entities under Vingroup: the “For Green Future” Foundation, VinUniversity, and the Vingroup Young Technology Talent Club (VinTechTalent). This event marks the first pan-Asian environmental hackathon exclusively for undergraduate and master’s students held in Vietnam. The competition serves as a platform for young innovators to address pressing environmental challenges through technology.
Team Helios and Their Winning Solution
Team Helios developed an “Urban Simulation Platform for Low-Carbon Infrastructure,” which addresses a critical issue faced by urban planners: assessing the effectiveness of green infrastructure projects before significant investments are made. Their platform allows users to simulate various options, including electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, public transportation systems, and solar energy installations. By evaluating the potential impacts on travel behavior, emissions, costs, and the power grid, the solution aids city authorities in making informed investment decisions.
Other Notable Contributions
The Second Prize of USD 5,000 was awarded to Team VFluxion from the University of Information Technology, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City. Their project focuses on integrating electric vehicles with urban energy systems, proposing a platform for bidirectional charging and discharging. This innovation not only allows EVs to consume energy but also positions them as distributed energy storage resources, enhancing grid stability and reducing reliance on high-emission backup power sources.
Two Third Prizes, each worth USD 3,000, were given to Team Future Greener and Team ALT F4. Team Future Greener tackled the lifecycle management of electric vehicle batteries, developing a platform that tracks battery health and promotes recycling. Meanwhile, Team ALT F4 created an early warning system for saltwater intrusion, which forecasts risks in estuarine areas and alerts local farmers and officials, thereby safeguarding freshwater supplies.
Training and Selection Process
To reach the Final Round, the 30 finalist teams underwent a rigorous selection process lasting nearly three months. Initially, 439 teams submitted project proposals and introductory videos. The top 30 teams participated in a month-long online training program led by multidisciplinary experts, enhancing their problem-solving skills in preparation for the final challenge. The finalists then engaged in a 36-hour hackathon at VinUniversity, where they developed functional prototypes and refined their presentations under expert mentorship.
Broader Implications and Future Prospects
Dr. Thai-Ha Le, Managing Director of the “For Green Future” Foundation, emphasized the significance of the competition in showcasing Vietnam as a regional hub for young talent in sustainable innovation. The hackathon not only facilitates the exchange of ideas but also transforms them into practical solutions with lasting community value.
The environmental challenges facing Asia are increasingly complex and require collaborative efforts across borders. By uniting young innovators from diverse backgrounds, the Asian Hackathon for Green Future aims to create a collaborative environment where knowledge and technology converge to address these challenges effectively.
Following the success of its inaugural edition, the competition is set to return in 2027, with plans to expand its scale and geographical reach. This initiative aims to attract even more young talent from across Asia and beyond, fostering the development of innovative solutions for a sustainable future.
Source: www.zawya.com
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