ACET Zero-Emission-Transport Hackathon

A full-day Zero-Emissions-Transport (ZET) hackathon co-delivered by the Canberra Innovation Network (CBRIN) and the National Electric Vehicle Centre of Excellence (NEVCE), as part of the Accelerating Canberra's Energy Transition (ACET) program. Supported by the ACT Government under the Energy Innovation Fund.

Teams of 5–8 participants will spend the day developing a solution to a real challenge facing Canberra's transport sector: How do we ensure equitable access to zero-emissions transport for lower-income and vulnerable communities in the ACT? You'll hear from keynote speakers and industry experts on the challenges in the zero-emissions-transport space, work with mentors to develop and refine your idea, and pitch your solution to a panel of judges at the end of the day.

This event is aimed at students and young entrepreneurs, whether you're studying engineering, design, business, policy, sustainability, or something else entirely. You don't need a technical background in transport or energy. Diverse teams produce better solutions, and we're looking for a mix of skills and perspectives. Participants from ANU, University of Canberra, UNSW Canberra, CIT, and the broader Canberra community are all welcome. You can register as a team or as an individual; we'll help individuals find a team on the day.

What You'll Get Out of It: Hands-on experience developing and pitching an innovation concept; exposure to real challenges in the zero-emissions-transport sector from people working in the space; guidance from experienced mentors throughout the day; connections with other students, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals in Canberra's energy ecosystem; compete for a share of $10,000; and strong teams may have the opportunity to pursue further support through CBRIN's Prototyping Voucher Pilot and other programs.

The Challenge: The ACT is a national leader in renewable energy and climate policy, but the shift to zero-emissions transport isn't reaching everyone equally. Lower-income households, renters, people with disability, and communities without easy access to public transport face real barriers — cost, infrastructure, information, and more. We're asking teams to come up with practical, creative solutions that help close this gap. Your solution could be a product, a service, a policy idea, a community initiative, or something we haven't thought of yet.

Keynote speakers, mentors, and judges will be drawn from across Canberra's energy and transport sectors — including researchers, industry practitioners, government, and community organisations. Details will be announced closer to the event.

ACET is funded by the ACT Government through the Energy Innovation Fund and delivered by CBRIN in partnership with ANU, University of Canberra, UNSW Canberra, CIT, and NEVCE. The full program includes four thematic workshops, this hackathon, business support for energy startups and SMEs, and an Energy Innovation Showcase later in 2026.