Are you an early career researcher with an idea to tackle a real-world challenge using AI?

"AI Innovation IGNITION" is a social impact-focused initiative designed not just to inspire ideas—but to launch them. Aimed at building AI for social good, this event brings together researchers interested societal and economic challenges using AI. Whether it's about solving climate change challenges or improving healthcare, we want to support you and your team. The platform will help you find team-mates, talk to mentors, and access a range of relevant datasets.

Finalists will be automatically be invited to join the post-hackathon accelerator programme which will serves as a launchpad for impactful startups committed to creating a better world.

Whether or not you see yourself as an AI expert, if you’re exploring how AI could help solve meaningful problems, this is your opportunity to connect with like-minded innovators and build something impactful.

Participate in our AI Startup ‘IGNITION’ Hackathon and find team-mates, gain the skills, network, and support to bring your idea to life.

About the IGNITION Hackathon

• A 3-week national hackathon on Responsible AI for Social Good with online training sessions
• No AI experience needed – just curiosity, research skills, and a drive to solve problems
• No team? No problem! – Our platform matches you with like-minded collaborators
• Multidisciplinary – Ideal for researchers from all disciplines (not just computer science!)
• Startup ideas inspired by your research, or completely new - both welcome

Mentoring and Training

All Hackathon participants will gain exclusive access to world-class mentoring from some of the most respected experts in industry and academia. These tailored mentoring sessions are designed to support participants across a wide spectrum of technical, strategic, and entrepreneurial challenges.

We are proud to feature a stellar line-up of mentors from BAE Systems, including Anish Verma, Ela Gomes, Paula Clerkin, and Sana Namazie. BAE Systems plc is a British multinational aerospace, defence, and information security leader. Headquartered in London, it is the UK’s largest manufacturing company and Europe’s biggest defence contractor—ranked 7th globally by revenue in 2021.

Joining them is Stacie Hoffmann from the National Physical Laboratory (NPL)—the UK’s national metrology institute. Founded in 1900, NPL is a cornerstone of scientific advancement in the UK, ensuring the precision and reliability of measurements across science and industry.

Additional mentors include top academics and innovators from RAi UK, University College London (UCL), and Future Worlds, bringing cutting-edge research and startup expertise to the table.

In the three weeks leading up to the Hackathon, participants will also benefit from an intensive training programme designed to sharpen skills and fast-track development:

• RRI & EDI Training with Virginia Portillo (RAi UK), focusing on responsible innovation and equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Amazon Web Services (AWS) training, including hands-on guidance with tools such as SageMaker, Amazon Q, and AI Studio. Participants will also receive cloud credits to help bring their ideas to life.
• A Future Worlds Pitch For Success Session, where participants will learn the fundamentals of startup thinking—from identifying problem-market fit and applying lean development principles to mastering the art of storytelling and early-stage fundraising.

WHY JOIN IGNITION? 

• Tackle real-world social challenges using responsible AI
• Collaborate across disciplines, because AI isn’t just for computer scientists 
• Transform your research into startup concept in just three weeks
• Get expert mentoring and feedback from industry and academic leaders
• Access post-hackathon pathways for continued development and potential funding 

• Innovation and originality (30%)
  Is the idea novel, bold, or a new take on an existing problem? Does the solution address a clearly defined social problem?
• Presentation quality (25%)
  Is the pitch clear, compelling, and accessible to a non-technical audience? Is the value proposition and user need clearly articulated?
• Technical implementation (15%)
  Is the prototype functional and appropriately scoped? Does the technical implementation demonstrate quality, feasibility, and scalability? Were appropriate tools and methods used for the problem space?
• Interdisciplinary and Viability (15%)
  How well does the team integrate diverse expertise? (e.g. law, machine learning, engineering, social sciences) Does the solution show potential for real-world deployment or continuation post hackathon?
• Responsible Innovation (10%)
  Does it demonstrate a thoughtful application of responsible AI principles including fairness, transparency and accountability? Are potential ethical risks identified and mitigated?