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Open Innovation Competition Launch Event

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Event description

The Open Innovation Competition is the City of Melbourne's yearly challenge to solve a city issue.

With a different theme each year, the competition calls for innovators, entrepreneurs, students and community members to submit their bright ideas to solve the challenge. It is designed to tap into the creativity and expertise of our community, and stimulate new ideas and effective solutions.

This year, the theme for the Open Innovation Competition is ‘zero-carbon and climate technology’. We invite the community to find practical and innovative ways to make the City of Melbourne more sustainable and combat climate change.

This year, we're introducing a valuable addition to the competition: an online training and support system to prepare you for pitching. Conducted by experts proficient in establishing and communicating climate solutions businesses, this training is free for all participants, aiming to enhance your experience in the program.

To mark the launch of this 6-week long competition, we’ve assembled a panel of experts, innovators and leaders in their field to share their knowledge, experiences and insights. Join us to explore the latest trends, tackle key challenges, and unlock exciting opportunities in achieving zero carbon targets.

There will be a moderated panel discussion and a live Q&A with the audience to help spark inspiration to solve this year’s problem statement:

How might we accelerate Melbourne’s transition to a zero-carbon city by innovating in climate and clean technologies while creating new job opportunities and empowering businesses and communities?”

Event details 

Date: Monday 18 March 2024 

Time: 5pm for a 5.30pm start, until 8pm 

Venue: Forum 1&2, Melbourne Connect, 700 Swanston St, Carlton   

The panel discussion will be followed by networking and light refreshments. 

This event marks the competition officially open for applications until they close Sunday 28 April 2024. 


Guest Speakers


MC - Richard Simpson, Managing Director, Energy and Corporate Innovation at Startupbootcamp


Al Reid, Chief Operations Officer at microFleet


Emma Robinson, Manager Zero Carbon City at City of Melbourne

Andrew Butt, Professor - Sustainability and Urban Planning at RMIT University


Vicky Featherston, Co-Founder and Head of Strategy & Operations at HAL Systems




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