Iliad Competitions 2025
A Spin-Off from the 2025
GEO Youth Ideathon
Join the Challenge,
Shape the Future
The Iliad Digital Twin of the Ocean project is launching two exciting and impact-driven competitions for youth and young professionals to reimagine the future of the Blue Economy through open data and digital twin technologies.
Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a policy visionary, this is your opportunity to explore the power of Earth observation and digital twin technologies—and help shape the future of sustainable ocean solutions.
These competitions are spin-offs of the GEO Ideathon held in May 2025 in Rome, (description and results on GEO knowledge hub) and are designed to encourage bold thinking, cross-sector collaboration, and real-world application of ocean-based innovations.
Timeline
Participants can anticipate a comprehensive programme featuring:
- Registration open: May 23 – June 5
- Info Session: (as part of the GEO Knowledge Hub for Youth Webinar): May 27, 4 pm CEST
- Onboarding Webinar: June 2, 4 pm CEST Register here
- Competition + Mentoring Sessions: June 3 – June 11
- Announcement of winners: June 13
All participants will receive expert mentorship from Iliad and Iliad partners in ocean data, technology, business, and policy.
Competition 1
Commercialization Sprint – From Data to Market
Challenge: How can open data and open-source ocean solutions—like digital twins—be turned into viable, scalable businesses?
Participants will choose one of the following open data-based digital twin scenarios (or propose their own) and develop a compelling commercialization strategy:
Objectives
- Identify key users and value propositions in the Blue Economy
- Explore sustainable business models for ocean data–driven solutions
- Design a commercialization strategy with scalability and impact
- Showcase feasibility and relevance to real-world use of selected digital twin
Expected Output
A presentation outlining your commercialization plan for the selected solution
Who Should Join?
Entrepreneurial students, ocean tech enthusiasts, climate innovators, startup teams, coders, and data scientists.
Why Participate?
- An invitation to present your results during the Oceans 2025 Conference in Brest (online panel)
- Gain visibility through the Iliad website, LinkedIn, and partner channels
- Join a vibrant international community of geospatial and digital ocean experts
Competition 2
Policy Innovation Lab – Impact Through Insight
Challenge: How can we measure and communicate the policy impact of digital twins of the ocean?
Participants can choose from two tracks:
- Policy Impact of a Specific Digital Twin: Choose from the same digital twin use cases (aquaculture, wind, oil spill, water quality, fleet management) and explore their potential policy implications using Policy impact tool.
- Quantifying Policy Impact: How can we add an economic perspective to a policy related to the oceans? Develop a framework to measure and quantify the policy impact of digital twin technologies.
Objectives
- Advance a tool , like Semflow, or method for measuring policy impact using ocean data
- Validate the accuracy of AI- or machine-generated content in a policy tool
- Demonstrate practical use of environmental data in governance and regulation
Who Should Join?
Policy students, civic tech developers, environmental economists, data scientists, interdisciplinary teams, and governance innovators.
Why Participate?
- Invitation to present your insights during the Oceans 2025 Conference in Brest (online panel)
- Be featured on Iliad’s website, LinkedIn, and global outreach channels
- Build lasting connections with peers and experts in digital ocean policy
Registration is now open!
You can participate as an individual or as a team, register via the form from May 23 to June 5.
Join the onboarding webinar on June 2 at 4 pm CEST and compete with top youth innovators across Europe, Africa, Middle-East, and beyond.