2030 Red Line Challenge

Ideathon 2026 · The 2030 Red Line Challenge · Call for Submissions Now Open · SCS Days

School of Computer Studies

SCS Days · Ideathon

▸ Call for Submissions

THE RED LINE
CHALLENGE

The Pitching Competition

2030

In 2015, the world agreed on 17 SDGs. As of 2026, progress has stalled — we are in the red. We no longer have the luxury of vague ideas. We need targeted, technical, high-impact interventions. We are calling SCS's brightest minds to pitch solutions that can be deployed, scaled, and sustained in the real world.

3–5

Team Size

Top 12

To SCS Days

Challenge Tracks

April 12, 2026

Deadline for Submission

Competition Guidelines

Eligibility
Open to SCS freshmen & sophomores only. Teams of 3–5 members. One SDG track per team.
Targeted
Pitches must answer the specific Urgency Question for your chosen SDG. Vague awareness pitches are disqualified.
Context
Solutions must include a local use case — applied to a specific community or industry in your province.

Challenge Tracks

SDG 1 · SDG 4 · SDG 8

Smart Pathways to Inclusive Education and Livelihood

Empower marginalized communities through education, skills development, and sustainable employment.

Q1 How can we build an inclusive financial tool that allows the unbanked to weather economic shocks without falling back into extreme poverty?

Q2 How can we use AI or low-bandwidth tech to ensure foundational literacy for every student, regardless of school infrastructure?

Q3 How can we create a digital bridge that connects unskilled youth to high-demand "green jobs" with fair-wage protections?

SDG 2 · SDG 3

Technology for Nutrition Security and Community Health

Improve access to nutritious food, healthy lifestyles, and stronger public health systems.

Q1 What agricultural technology can double the productivity of small-scale farmers while reducing post-harvest waste by 50%?

Q2 How can we deploy decentralized diagnostic tools to ensure rural communities receive essential care within 30 minutes?

SDG 11 · SDG 13

Resilient Smart Cities for a Changing Climate

Design innovations that make cities safer, greener, and climate-adaptive.

Q1 How can we retrofit urban infrastructure or informal settlements to protect residents from climate-related disasters like extreme flooding or heatwaves?

SDG 14 · SDG 15

Protecting Biodiversity Through Technology and Innovation

Preserve ecosystems, protect wildlife, and promote environmental sustainability.

Q1 How can we use real-time monitoring to help local fishing communities identify and prevent illegal (IUU) fishing?

Q2 What scalable reforestation solution can incentivize private landowners to restore biodiversity while generating income?

Who Can Join

1st & 2nd year SCS students
Teams of 3 to 5 members
One SDG track per team
Local use case required
Tech-based solution only

Process

Phase 1 — Elimination

2-Page Summary + 90s Pitch Video

Phase 2 — Finals

5-Min Live Pitch + PoC at SCS Days

Judging Criteria

Phase 1 — Eliminations

Target Alignment

30%

Feasibility

40%

Inclusivity

30%

Phase 2 — Finals

Innovation

20%

Viability

30%

Scalability

30%

Communication

20%

What to Submit

Elimination Round

2-Page Executive Summary

Written overview of your tech solution and local context.

Elimination Round

90-Second Elevator Pitch Video

A short, compelling video pitch presenting your concept.

Finals · Top 12

5-Min Live Pitch + Proof of Concept

In-person presentation with PoC at SCS Days.

Framework

Select 1 SDG Track · Answer Its Urgency Question

Targeted, local, and tech-based solutions only.