No, but your project must be at least indirectly linked to ecology and the environment. For example, a smart-phone app that encourages local consumption has an indirect benefit for the environment. Another example: A platform that makes public administration services more efficient can reduce energy consumption and human traffic – which can also have an indirect benefit for the environment.
Software, mobile apps, online platforms, connected objects…we welcome a very large range of IT related project-ideas. But, in general, these are software solutions. In terms of sector, the range is also vast: health care and social services, education, solidarity and family, government and citizen services, urban management, local democracy, culture and tourism, security, transportation and mobility, telecommunications, the workplace, e-commerce and retail, etc. In short, we welcome projects related to every sector of the Smart City domain.
Applying to the City’ZEN Challenge is easy. The first step is to make sure that the call for projects is open. Click here to see the calendar for the next edition. Next, you will need to choose your starting point. The City’ZEN Challenge consists of two parallel competition tracks:
First, as nearly all project-ideas that are developed during the competition are software programs, mobile apps, online platforms, IoT solutions, etc., and as each team will have to produce a proof of concept for the final jury, it is absolutely necessary that at least one or two members of your team can code/program software, design mobile apps and/or online platforms, develop an IoT solution, etc.
Second, as our competition is international and the final jury is thus in English, it is also essential that your team can give an effective presentation in English.
These are the only two necessary skills your team will need to participate in the competition.
Between 2 and 6 (typically).
Yes, but on the condition that all team members belong to the same academic institution and this institution is a partner of the competition.
For example, two students from EPITECH Toulouse, 1 student from EPITECH Lyon and 2 students from EPITECH Montpellier – this is acceptable as all students are part of the same academic institution which is a partner of the City’ZEN Challenge.
Yes, but on the condition that the international students will be available and present to participate in the final jury in June. In other words, they must participate in the challenge from start to finish.
In addition, please note that in terms of the potential disbursement of prize money, this cannot be done with a university that is not an official partner-school of the competition.
Our goal is to select between 30 and 40 projects. For Track 1, 20 to 25 projects; for Track 2, 10 to 15 projects.
The most important element that each team must produce is a proof of concept (POC), which usually consists of mock-ups and is designed to demonstrate the feasibility of the project. In addition, each team will also have to produce a final project report (50 pages max, in English) and a short promotional video. These three elements constitute the heart of each team presentation at the final jury. (For more information, please see the FAQ section related to the final jury.)