An Ideathon is a collaborative event where participants brainstorm and develop innovative ideas and solutions within a set time frame. It focuses on idea generation and concept development, often culminating in pitches to judges or an audience.
The "2026 Hong Kong Web3 Ideathon: AI, FinTech, and Financial Literacy" is an inaugural competition aimed at tertiary students in Hong Kong. Teams are tasked with developing innovative proposals that leverage Web3 and AI technologies to address key financial issues in the city.
The competition is open to all full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled at 22 degree-awarding higher education institutions in Hong Kong. Participants must form teams of 2 to 4 members. For the whole list of recognized institutions, you can refer to the website below: https://www.edb.gov.hk/en/edu-system/postsecondary/local-higher-edu/institutions/index.html .
No, this competition is exclusively for full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students from 22 degree-awarding higher education institutions in Hong Kong. For the whole list of recognized institutions, you can refer to the website below: https://www.edb.gov.hk/en/edu-system/postsecondary/local-higher-edu/institutions/index.html .
No, only full-time students are eligible to participate.
No, only current students may participate.
No, participants must form teams of 2 to 4 members to participate.
Yes, teams may consist of members from different institutions and academic disciplines.
No, there is no registration fee.
Before registering on this link, your team should select a team leader and choose a team name. You will also need to read and agree to the Official Rules and the HKUST Privacy Policy. Once registered, you will receive a link for submitting your proposal.
Proposals must be submitted by January 11, 2026.
Teams can choose to focus on one of the following Web-3 related topics:
- Developing FinTech Solutions for Personal Spending and Savings
- Enhancing Financial Knowledge in Investment and Insurance
- Safeguarding Against Financial Scams and Frauds
All teams will compete collectively across all tracks. This structure encourages diverse perspectives and broadens the scope of innovation within the Ideathon.
Proposals and presentations for the Ideathon must be in English. Each submission must include the following components:
- A Summary Document not exceeding 500 words
- A Presentation Deck limited to 15 slides
- A Pitch Video lasting no more than 5 minutes
Teams may also choose to develop and present a Web3 prototype as part of their proposal if it aligns with their plan.
Presentation Deck Structure
Your presentation deck should ideally cover the following key areas, although you may adjust the content, sequence, format, and style as appropriate:
- Proposal Overview
- Problem Statement
Clearly define the issue you aim to address. - Proposed Solution
Outline your Web3 and/or AI solution and its unique features. - Target Audience
Identify who will benefit from your project. - Market Needs
Explain how your project meets the demands of the market. - Innovative Technology
Highlight what makes your technology cutting-edge. - Social and Community Impact
Discuss the potential benefits for the community. Feel free to include visuals, such as images or flow diagrams, to illustrate your ideas. - Competitive Analysis
Analyze existing solutions and how yours stands out. - Implementation Plan
Provide a roadmap for how you will execute your project. - Technical Details
Include any relevant technical specifications. - Impact Assessment
Consider the anticipated outcomes and benefits of your project. - Team Expertise
Highlight the skills and experience of your team members. - Business Model (if applicable)
Provide a brief overview of your business model. - Conclusion
Summarize the key points and the significance of your proposal.
Make sure to present your ideas effectively, and feel free to include any additional information that you consider important for your submission.
Yes, we will host a half-day workshop on November 22, 2025 at Cyberport, focusing on Web3 technologies and proposal development. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, and participation in this workshop is optional.
To secure your spot in the workshop, please register on this link by November 22, 2025.
You are not alone in this. Click here to register your intention, and we will build a matching platform for you to connect with others seeking teammates. Be proactive and reach out to your network; you might discover someone eager to join you.
We've put together a collection of Web3 resources to help you get started. You can find them here. Remember, Web3 is always evolving, and no one has all the answers—so stay curious and keep learning!
A panel of judges will review all submissions and shortlist 9 teams based on established criteria.
Finalists will be announced on February 13, 2026.
The Pitch Fest is the final round where shortlisted teams present their proposals to a panel of judges and an audience, with the opportunity to win prizes.
The Pitch Fest is scheduled for March 2026 and will be held at the HKUST Business School Central, located in the Hong Kong Club Building.
Prizes include cash reward: a first prize of HK$30,000, a second prize of HK $20,000, and a third prize of HK $10,000, along with six honourable mentions of HK$5,000 each. Additionally, the top two winning teams will receive fast track to the interview stage for the Cyberport Creative Micro Fund or the Cyberport Incubation Programme, subject to meeting the respective application requirements. For more details about the Cyberport entrepreneurship programmes, please visit: https://cyberport.hk/en/about_cyberport/cyberport_entrepreneurs.
For additional inquiries, please email [email protected].