?? An Incredible Week: Our Global Impact Sprint 2024 in NYC ??

15 Participants. 8 Nations. 5 International Top-Universities.

One global sustainability challenge.

As we close the curtains on this year's transformative 100-hour entrepreneurship challenge at the Hasso Plattner Institute office in New York City, we are excited and grateful. This intensive sprint, powered by the HPI Engine , has again been a breeding ground for the next wave of innovators, entrepreneurs, and change-makers.

Fostering Innovation and Entrepreneurial Impact

During this intensive sprint, the three teams, each uniquely composed of five students from Tecnológico de Monterrey , 美国麻省理工学院 , Babson College , NYU Tandon School of Engineering , and Hasso Plattner Institute , embraced Jake Knapp ’s Sprint Logic to navigate and refine their problem and solution spaces dynamically. Guided by this structured framework, each team meticulously iterated through various business models and developed prototypes, systematically questioning and validating each assumption.

Focused on the United Nations SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), our participants developed groundbreaking business models and digital prototypes for microgrid solutions in areas where access to electricity is not existing.

The innovative solutions and business models are set to empower local entrepreneurs across the globe to provide sustainable energy solutions to their communities.

The rigorous innovation process enabled the three teams to pivot quickly and efficiently, refining their approaches based on real-time feedback and iterative learning. The sprint's structured yet flexible environment fostered a culture of rapid innovation and adaptation, crucial for tackling the complex challenges associated with their microgrid solutions.

Highlights

The week’s highlights included successful pitches and product prototypes that showcased not only the creativity and intelligence of our participants but also their commitment to making a tangible impact.

A special shoutout to Robinson Hernandez , Executive Director of the UrbanTechHub in NYC, whose inspiring keynote set a robust foundation for our strategies. Thank a lot to our partner Climate Tech Hub e.V. and Nicole Hiltl Sebastian Ulm for connecting us!

???? Our visit to the United Nations provided an unforgettable opportunity to engage deeply with the #SDGs, broadening our understanding and reinforcing our commitment to global sustainability issues.

Building Trust, Inspiration, Confidence, and Friendships

Over the course of just five days and nights spent living and working together, our participants have shown remarkable personal and team growth. Immersed in a collaborative environment, each individual not only honed their own skills but also learned to leverage the diverse perspectives and strengths of their teammates. This intense period of cohabitation and co-creation fostered a unique synergy among the participants, catalyzing rapid development in both their professional abilities and interpersonal relationships.

The transformative nature of this experience is evident not just in the innovative solutions they devised, but also in the lasting bonds they formed—bonds that will continue to inspire and support their endeavors long after the sprint's conclusion.

Empowering Responsible Global Leaders and Entrepreneurs

As we reflect on this week, we're reminded of the importance of building trust and confidence within our international community of entrepreneurial makers. This experience has not just been about innovation and learning; it’s been about creating a supportive global network of entrepreneurs, innovators and makers that extends beyond borders.

We look forward to the continued growth and success of all our participants as they move forward to implement their solutions and spearhead sustainable change.

Stay tuned as we continue to nurture and empower a responsible and entrepreneurial generation ready to deliver significant and sustainable impacts.

About HPI School of Entrepreneurship

HPI's School of Entrepreneurship is dedicated to attracting, educating, and inspiring outstanding digital engineers and scientists to develop a comprehensive entrepreneurial skillset, mindset, and confidence. We create a strong, supportive community that generates value and provides access to all necessary resources to successfully start, fund, and grow innovative startups based on digital technologies. Our goal is to empower tech talent to engage in entrepreneurial activities, transforming their innovations into impactful companies that drive positive societal change.

Acknowledgments

?? Heartfelt thanks to our aspiring and incredible entrepreneurs from TECNOLóGICO DE MONTERREY , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Babson College , NYU Tandon School of Engineering , and Hasso Plattner Institute bringing diverse backgrounds, great openness and incredible committment:

Rupa Maitreyi Akkiraju Flor Helena Valencia Vitor V Ungari Rodrigo Gutierrez Garza Soumiya Chadha Lisa Geist Alara ?ener William Brandt Leo Schuhmann Luis Carlos Juárez Moreno Angie Moon Matthias Schneider Mostafa E. Pranit Chand

?? A huge shout out to the incredible team of the HPI Engine preparing and conducting this amazing program, namely David H. , Franz Breu , Julius Diesing , Mona Faisst , Michael Mansfeld , Clara Petter , Rebecca Lie? and Kathrin Werner, an to the HPI management trusting and supporting us in building and running this program, Ralf Herbrich Marcus K?lling Tobias Friedrich

?? A heartfelt thank you also to Joann Halpern , our Director at Hasso Plattner Institute NYC , for her unwavering support before and throughout the week.

A huge shout out also to SAP Christian Klein and Karina Montilla Edmonds for generously sharing their spectacular offices on the 50th floor, setting a prime example of how to nurture and support young minds in their entrepreneurial journeys.

Thanks a lot also to everyone at the participating universities supporting the program and selecting the students, namely to Susanne Schneider-Kivelitz Sebastian Fixson Lorenzo Valle Oded Nov Svafa Gronfeldt and Gal Ringel

We extend our deepest gratitude to the Hasso Plattner Foundation Natalia Graur Moritz Matthey, Ph.D. Stephanie Ullrich , whose generous financial support of the Hasso Plattner Institute made this incredible, powerful, and impactful program possible. The foundation’s commitment to fostering education, innovation and entrepreneurship has not only provided the resources necessary for this transformative experience but has also demonstrated a profound belief in the potential of these young leaders. Thanks to their vision and support, we have been able to offer an environment where bold ideas meet the means to execute them, creating real solutions that will echo across communities and industries. This program is a testament to what can be achieved when financial resources are aligned with a clear and passionate commitment to positive change.