Open Call for Athar Green Tech Hackathon (Egypt)

Deadline: 30-Jul-2026

The Athar Green Tech Hackathon 2026 is inviting innovators, researchers, students, startups, and aspiring entrepreneurs with climate and sustainability solutions to participate in a three-day innovation programme. Up to 20 teams will receive training, mentorship, and venture development support, while three winning teams will each receive an EGP 50,000 grant to help advance their climate technology ventures.

About the Athar Green Tech Hackathon

The Athar Green Tech Hackathon is implemented in partnership with the Embassy of Finland to identify and support innovative solutions that address climate change, environmental sustainability, and the circular economy.

The programme is designed to transform early-stage ideas into scalable businesses by providing practical entrepreneurial training, expert mentorship, and business development support. Through an intensive three-day hackathon, participants will strengthen their innovation, commercialization, and pitching skills while developing solutions with measurable environmental and social impact.

The initiative seeks to build a new generation of climate entrepreneurs capable of creating market-ready green technologies that contribute to sustainable development.

Funding and Awards

The programme offers:

• Three winning teams will each receive an EGP 50,000 grant.
• Up to 20 innovative teams will be selected to participate in the hackathon.
• Participants will receive training, mentoring, and venture development support.

The grants are intended to help winning teams further develop and commercialize their innovative solutions.

Programme Objectives

The hackathon aims to:

• Support climate innovation.
• Promote green technology entrepreneurship.
• Encourage circular economy solutions.
• Develop market-ready startups.
• Strengthen entrepreneurial skills.
• Accelerate commercialization.
• Foster climate adaptation solutions.
• Promote sustainable technologies.
• Build innovation ecosystems.
• Generate environmental and social impact.

Focus Areas

The programme welcomes innovations in:

• Climate adaptation.
• Circular economy.
• Climate Technology (ClimateTech).
• Green Technology.
• AgriTech.
• CleanTech.
• WaterTech.
• Renewable energy.
• Sustainable manufacturing.
• Environmental innovation.
• Sustainability solutions.

Projects addressing emerging environmental challenges through technology are encouraged to apply.

Training Topics

Participants will receive practical training in:

• Design Thinking.
• Lean Startup methodology.
• Business model development.
• Problem validation.
• Solution validation.
• Venture development.
• Commercialization strategies.
• Startup scalability.
• Entrepreneurial skills.
• Team collaboration.
• Pitch preparation.

The programme combines practical workshops with mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts.

Programme Structure

The hackathon includes:

• Three-day intensive innovation programme.
• Interactive workshops.
• Hands-on mentoring.
• Team collaboration sessions.
• Business model refinement.
• Startup validation activities.
• Final pitch presentations.

Participants will work closely with mentors throughout the programme to strengthen their solutions.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Idea-stage startups.
• Researchers.
• University students.
• Recent graduates.
• Aspiring entrepreneurs.
• Innovation teams.

Applicants should have innovative ideas with strong commercial and environmental potential.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Have an innovative solution addressing a climate or sustainability challenge.
• Be an idea-stage startup, research-based innovation, or entrepreneurial team.
• Operate within ClimateTech or Green Technology sectors.
• Apply as a team consisting of at least two members.
• Demonstrate commercialization potential.
• Commit to participating throughout the entire hackathon.
• Show potential for scalability.
• Demonstrate positive environmental impact.

Female-led teams are strongly encouraged to apply.

Eligible Innovation Areas

Solutions may focus on:

• Climate adaptation.
• AgriTech.
• CleanTech.
• WaterTech.
• Circular economy.
• Renewable energy.
• Sustainable manufacturing.
• Green technology.
• Environmental sustainability.
• Resource efficiency.
• Climate resilience.

Innovations should combine technological advancement with practical environmental solutions.

Programme Benefits

Selected participants will receive:

• Intensive entrepreneurship training.
• Expert mentorship.
• Venture development support.
• Business model refinement.
• Commercialization guidance.
• Startup validation support.
• Networking opportunities.
• Pitch coaching.
• Exposure to innovation experts.
• Opportunity to compete for an EGP 50,000 grant.

The programme helps innovators transform promising ideas into scalable businesses.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should follow these steps.

1. Review the hackathon eligibility requirements.
2. Form a team of at least two members.
3. Develop an innovative climate or green technology solution.
4. Prepare a clear description of your innovation.
5. Demonstrate the environmental problem your solution addresses.
6. Explain the commercialization and scalability potential.
7. Complete the official application form.
8. Submit the application before the deadline.
9. Participate in the full three-day hackathon if selected.

Applicants should ensure their proposals clearly demonstrate innovation and impact.

Application Components

A competitive application should generally include:

• Team information.
• Innovation description.
• Problem statement.
• Proposed solution.
• Technology area.
• Environmental impact.
• Commercialization potential.
• Scalability plan.
• Team background.
• Supporting information requested by the organizers.

Strong applications clearly explain how the proposed solution creates measurable environmental and economic value.

Selection Criteria

Applications are expected to be evaluated based on:

• Innovation.
• Climate relevance.
• Environmental impact.
• Commercial viability.
• Scalability.
• Team capability.
• Problem-solution fit.
• Technology potential.
• Entrepreneurial readiness.
• Overall feasibility.

Projects demonstrating strong innovation with clear commercialization potential are likely to be more competitive.

Why This Hackathon Matters

Climate change and environmental challenges require innovative, scalable solutions that combine technology with entrepreneurship.

The programme supports:

• Climate innovation.
• Green entrepreneurship.
• Sustainable business development.
• Technology commercialization.
• Environmental protection.
• Circular economy solutions.
• Renewable energy innovation.
• Startup ecosystem development.
• Youth entrepreneurship.
• Sustainable economic growth.

By supporting early-stage innovators, the hackathon helps transform promising ideas into businesses capable of creating lasting environmental and social impact.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid these common mistakes.

• Applying as an individual instead of a team.
• Submitting ideas unrelated to climate or sustainability.
• Providing unclear problem statements.
• Failing to explain commercialization potential.
• Demonstrating weak scalability.
• Submitting incomplete applications.
• Ignoring programme eligibility requirements.
• Failing to commit to the full hackathon schedule.

Strong applications clearly demonstrate innovation, environmental impact, market opportunity, and team commitment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Athar Green Tech Hackathon?

It is a three-day innovation programme that supports climate and green technology innovators through training, mentorship, venture development, and grant funding.

How many teams will receive grants?

Three winning teams will each receive an EGP 50,000 grant.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include idea-stage startups, researchers, university students, recent graduates, aspiring entrepreneurs, and innovation teams working on climate or sustainability solutions.

What sectors are eligible?

Eligible sectors include ClimateTech, Green Technology, AgriTech, CleanTech, WaterTech, Renewable Energy, Sustainable Manufacturing, Circular Economy, and other sustainability-related fields.

Can individuals apply?

No. Applications must be submitted by teams of at least two members.

Are female-led teams encouraged?

Yes. Female-led teams are strongly encouraged to apply.

What makes a strong application?

Competitive applications demonstrate innovative climate solutions, strong environmental impact, commercialization potential, scalability, team capability, and alignment with the programme’s sustainability objectives.

Conclusion

The Athar Green Tech Hackathon 2026 provides an excellent opportunity for innovators, researchers, students, and entrepreneurs to transform climate and sustainability ideas into scalable ventures. Through intensive training, expert mentorship, business development support, and EGP 50,000 grants for three winning teams, the programme helps participants build commercially viable solutions that address pressing environmental challenges. Innovators with high-impact ClimateTech and GreenTech ideas are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to accelerate their entrepreneurial journey and contribute to a more sustainable future.

For more information, visit Athar.