Spring 2024 Innovation Challenge

Carbon Conscious

GreenHacks Spring 2024 Innovation Challenge 

February 9-10th, 2024


Carbon stands at the forefront of addressing pressing environmental challenges, emphasizing the critical role of entrepreneurs, startups, and technology in driving meaningful change. As the global population burgeons towards 10 billion by 2050 and energy demands surge, the imperative to transition towards sustainable practices becomes ever more urgent. Entrepreneurs and startups are uniquely positioned to innovate across the three pivotal tracks: Climate Cleanse, Fields of Tomorrow, and Fueling the Future. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies, such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology, these innovators can devise scalable solutions to curb greenhouse gas emissions, optimize agricultural practices, and expedite the adoption of renewable energy sources. Through collaborative efforts and entrepreneurial spirit, the hackathon endeavors to catalyze the emergence of transformative solutions, driving us towards a more sustainable and carbon-conscious future.

Track 1

Track 2

Track 3

Speakers, Mentors, and Judges

Winners

Judge's Picks

Team 18: AlgaeWorks

Team 22: Solid State Triboelectric Wind Panels

Team 19: Asparagopsis taxiformis

Greenhacks Pick

Team 1: Silk Snare

Honorable Mentions

Team 8: BioCharmed

Team 1: Silk Snare

Team 23: Blast the Blast

2024 Hackathon Sponsors 

Gold Level Sponsors

Ralph S. O'Connor Sustainable Energy Institute (ROSEI)

The Ralph O'Connor Sustainable Energy Institute brings together the extensive energy-related activities already underway at JHU and focuses on developing impactful programs to address transformation of the energy sector to address climate change.

Wrigley Capital

Wrigley Capital is an investment company focused on using quantitative techniques to analyze the best opportunities to trade in the energy industry.

Silver Level Sponsors

MEIA

MEIA supports solar, wind, batteries, energy efficiency, grid modernization,  carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS), and any other technology that reduces greenhouse gas emissions or provides negative emissions benefits in the electric, oil and gas, residential, commercial or industrial sectors.

T. Rowe Price

T. Rowe Price is a global asset management organization, Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland,  they provide a broad range of investment solutions across equity, fixed income, and multi-asset capabilities for clients around the world—from individuals to advisors to institutions to retirement plan sponsors. 

Bronze Level Sponsors

JHU Computer Science

JHU Computer Science's faculty and students collaborate across Johns Hopkins divisions to advance discovery in areas ranging from AI, computational biology and medicine and information security to machine learning, robotics, and speEch and language processing.

JHU Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering

JHU ChemBE students work together on topics ranging from the development of new therapies to conquer cancer and the creation of earth-friendly biofuels and other sources of energy to the design of molecular electronics and more.

JHU Center for a Livable Future

The Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future (CLF) works with students, educators, researchers, policymakers, advocacy organizations and communities to build a healthier, more equitable and resilient food system.

Partners

FastForwardU

FastForwardU is JHU’s hub for student entrepreneurship and innovation, serving students from all disciplines and campuses. FastForward U works with all students, from undergrad to post-doc, to support their entrepreneurial pursuits and turn good ideas into investable businesses.

Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute

The Maryland Technology Enterprise guides aspiring and existing entrepreneurs through the entire lifecycle of launching and maintaining technology-based ventures, and they support technology product development partnerships in both fledgling and mature ventures.

Mo.Na. Gems

Mo.Na. Gems strives to protect Mother Earth,  reducing plastic waste in the fashion industr by developing earrings from bioplastic -- Mo.Na. gems look like synthetic plastic and come in trendy shapes, but are 100% biodegradable. When discarded, the gems break down into their natural components, leaving a minimal environmental footprint. 

Taara Projects

Taara Projects is a team of full-time students and women who strive for a more equitable, ethical, and sustainable world. Taara Projects aims to alleviate poverty, champion ethical and sustainable practices, and provide consumers with long-lasting, affordable clothing products.

Oceanic Network

The Ocean Network is dedicated to growing the offshore wind and other ocean renewable industries and their supply chains. Their driving purpose is to inform, coordinate, and mobilize human ingenuity, enterprise, and labor to take advantage of the urgent need to tap the vast renewable energy resources that lie offshore in the world’s oceans. 

JHU Alumni Association

The Johns Hopkins Alumni Association fosters opportunities for graduates by enhancing their ability to connect to other alumni; remain a vital part of the university’s engaged community; and facilitate opportunities for graduates to live the Johns Hopkins vision wherever they live. 

My Mama's Vegan

My Mamas Vegan serves the Baltimore community with comfort food, such as burgers, tacos, and subs, that is entirely vegan.

Civic Works Real Food Farm

Real Food Farm works toward a just and sustainable food system by improving neighborhood access to healthy food, providing experience-based education, and developing an economically viable, environmentally responsible local agriculture sector. 

JHU Office of Sustainability

change education, and more, the Office of Sustainability’s work spans the physical, academic, and cultural environments of JHU. The office aims to empower students, faculty, and staff to meaningfully contribute to a more just and sustainable world.

Inspiration Mobility

Inspiration is a purpose-built investment and infrastructure company advancing the electric vehicle (EV) transition. They provide an EV-first fleet management solution, turnkey EV charging, or both together in an EV fleet-as-a-service package. 

Innovation Challenge Photos

At the 2024 Innovation Challenge, we had a variety of speakers and giveaway prizes throughout the whole weekend! 

Judging took place on Saturday evening:

Some photos of the organizing team enjoying the weekend as well :) 

And of course, we had to paint Jay!