Schneider Electric concludes “Ignite Your Impact Challenge”, celebrating youth-driven innovation in sustainability

Hong Kong, May 19, 2025 – Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, concluded their “Ignite Your Impact Challenge” with the Final Pitch Day in Hong Kong. Aimed at inspiring secondary school students to unleash their creativity and utilize digital solutions to tackle sustainability issues, the competition culminated in final presentations by the shortlisted teams who showcased their ideas and prototypes designed to create a positive impact in the community.

The winning entries under the three themes – Environmental Impact, Social Impact, and Green City Impact – showcased outstanding tech-driven innovations for sustainability. The champion was awarded to Marymount Secondary School’s “Plant-tonic” team under the theme of Environmental Impact. Their winning solution, Plastic-eating Vivarium: A Machine Learning Initiative, is designed to address plastic foam pollution. The first and second runners-up were awarded to  St. Mary's Canossian College’s “Elderly Miracles” team under the theme of Social Impact, and St. Stephen's Girls' College’s “RecycleSmart” team under the theme of Green City Impact respectively.

The winning teams will be further invited to present their solution prototypes at Innovation Summit Hong Kong 2025, Schneider Electric’s annual flagship event that will convene more than 800 thought leaders and industry professionals in the city, in addition to working experience opportunities at the company. Additionally, Schneider Electric will offer complimentary energy audit services to the winning schools, providing them with energy consumption analysis and smart technology recommendation to drive the ongoing development of green campus.

“Congratulations to all winners and participants at the Ignite Your Impact Challenge. We are delighted to see students stay inquisitive, value diversity, and unite to create meaningful outcomes for Hong Kong,” said Jonathan Chiu, President of Schneider Electric Hong Kong. “In collaboration with industry stakeholders, Schneider Electric will continue to bridge technology, innovation and intergenerational impact for sustainability.”

The judging panel comprised prominent representatives from the public and private sectors, research institutions and various disciplines, including Jonathan Chiu, President of Schneider Electric Hong Kong, Michael Kwok, Director, Asia Pacific Region of Arup, Lawrence Iu, Executive Director of Civic Exchange, Eric Cheung, Senior Director - Power Systems of CLP Power, Chris Chong, Acting CEO & COO of Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI), Howard Lee, Associate Director, GreenTech of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), Wong Shek Hung, Director of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan Program of Oxfam Hong Kong, Melanie Kwok, Deputy General Manager, Sustainability and Innovation of Sino Group, Ben Chan, Head of Talent Development of Sun Hung Kai Properties, Titania Woo, Executive Director of The Hong Kong Management Association, Keith Choy, General Manager, Green Living & Innovation Division of The Hong Kong Productivity Council, Norman Cheng, Chief Operating Officer of Veolia Hong Kong and Macau, and Ricky Wong, Vice Chairman & Managing Director of Wheelock Properties.

This Challenge brought together more than 200 students from 39 secondary schools, forming a total of 74 teams. Over the course of 7 months – from the briefing session to the shortlisting panel, feedback session and regular mentorship, the students received expert guidance from Schneider Electric, alongside the Challenge’s Strategic Knowledge Partners and Supporting Organizations comprising academics, think tanks, associations, and NGOs. Their professional insights helped students sharpen their ideas, refine their prototypes, and enhance public speaking skills.

For details of Schneider Electric’s Ignite Your Impact Challenge, please visit here.

List of Winning Teams:

Event Photos:

Schneider Electric concluded their Ignite Your Impact Challenge with the Final Pitch Day in Hong Kong, supported by a distinguished judging panel from across different industries.

Jonathan Chiu, President of Schneider Electric Hong Kong, encouraged students to stay curious, embrace diversity, and deliver meaningful outcomes as part of his opening remarks.

The shortlisted teams presented their ideas and prototypes to expert judges, demonstrating how they could help drive sustainable development.