GEN AI 4 Good Innovation Challenge
Nov 30, 2023 – Feb 28, 2024
demo day
Key Highlights
A two-month blended innovation initiative inviting students from across Ireland to tackle social and environmental challenges using Generative AI.
The program brought together students from five universities — UL, TCD, DCU, NCI, and UCD — with a total of 46 unique attendees. In Week 1, 41 students registered, and 18 actively participated. An additional 8 students joined in Week 2. A total of 32 ideas were submitted, with 10 selected for further development — 50% of which were led by female participants.
32
Projects Submitted
10
Finalist Projects
80
Unique Attendees
Winners
Meet the talented illustrators who brought Chapter 1 to life and claimed the top prizes.
Grand Prize Winner
StreetWise
€1000 EURO
Hult Prize Winner
Politics 101
Trip to Lisbon, Portugal
Runners-up
MedConnect
€300 EURO
Runners-up
Traffix
€300 EURO
Runners-up
Stíl Arís
€300 EURO
Judges
Get to know the creatives and experts who selected the finalists and winning illustrations.
Judges
Judging Criteria
Desirability
How well does the idea address a real human or societal need? Judges will consider whether the solution resonates with users and solves a meaningful problem.
Feasibility
Can the idea be realistically implemented using available resources, time, and technology? This includes technical soundness and a clear plan for execution.
Use of GenAI
How effectively does the project integrate Generative AI to enhance its solution? Judges will look for thoughtful, responsible, and creative applications of GenAI.
Viability
Does the solution have long-term potential to sustain itself, scale, or create value? This includes market awareness, impact potential, or pathway to continuation.
Team presentation
How clearly and confidently did the team communicate their idea? This includes storytelling, visual materials, team collaboration, and overall delivery.
Timeline
Submission deadline
February 27, 2025
Kick-off & Workshop
Design Thinking
November 30, 2023
Lean Canvas
February 1, 2024
Pitching
February 8, 2024
Demo Day
February 28, 2024
Demo Day Agenda
A look back at the key moments, workshops, and showcase that shaped the competition.
February 28
17:00 – 17:30
Arrival
17:30 – 18:00
Kick –off & Key Speeches
18:00 – 19:00
10 Pitches
19:00 – 19:20
Break & Judging
19:20 – 19:30
Winner announcement & Closing speech
Organizers
Learn more about the team behind Once Upon an Idea and the vision that inspired it.
Testimonials
Feedback from innovators and university coordinators who have participated in Open Incubator programmes.
FAQ
The Gen AI for Good Innovation Challenge was a two-month hybrid innovation program that invited university students across Ireland to explore how Generative AI could be used to address real-world social and environmental challenges.
The challenge was open to university students from across Ireland, including those from Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick, DCU, UCD, NCI, and others. Students from diverse academic backgrounds—including business, tech, and humanities—joined forces to create impactful AI-powered solutions.
Participants worked in teams to develop solutions using Generative AI technologies. They explored issues related to climate, health, education, and accessibility, submitting ideas and pitching them at the final Demo Day.
◦ 10 finalist teams pitched their projects live in front of judges and guests.
◦ Winning teams were awarded cash prizes for their creativity, feasibility, and impact.
◦ Judges and attendees celebrated bold, student-led solutions using GenAI for good.
◦ Winning teams were awarded cash prizes for their creativity, feasibility, and impact.
◦ Judges and attendees celebrated bold, student-led solutions using GenAI for good.
Teams submitted their ideas via an online portal. Submissions were reviewed based on relevance, creativity, feasibility, and alignment with the responsible use of Generative AI. The top 10 teams were invited to present at Demo Day.
The challenge was co-directed by Zaur Unsizada and Joseph Lanzillotta, in collaboration with the Hult Prize at Trinity College Dublin, Venture Crawl, and the Open Incubator program.
◦ Kick-off & Design Thinking Workshop: Nov 30, 2023
◦ Lean Canvas Workshop: Feb 1, 2024
◦ Pitching Workshop: Feb 8, 2024
◦ Idea Submission Deadline: Feb 15, 2024
◦ Final Demo Day: Feb 28, 2024
◦ Lean Canvas Workshop: Feb 1, 2024
◦ Pitching Workshop: Feb 8, 2024
◦ Idea Submission Deadline: Feb 15, 2024
◦ Final Demo Day: Feb 28, 2024
◦ 1st Place: €1,000
◦ Runners-up: €300 each & trip to Lisbon
◦ Finalists also received mentorship and exposure through the showcase.
◦ Runners-up: €300 each & trip to Lisbon
◦ Finalists also received mentorship and exposure through the showcase.
Future opportunities
Explore our latest programs designed to spark innovation, nurture ideas, and support your journey from concept to impactful venture.
Social Innovation Challenge 2.0
Calling all students across Ireland! Got an idea that can tackle a pressing social challenge? This is your chance to innovate for impact! Submit your idea, collaborate with changemakers, and get the support you need to turn your vision into reality. Ready to make a difference?
Apply now
Last Call:
May 5, 2025
May 5, 2025
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Built @Trinity College Dublin for the benefit of all Irish Innovators.
Built @Trinity College Dublin for the benefit of all Irish Innovators.